Page 64

‘More than eighty-five per cent of their patients – all of them under sixteen – are still event free two years after they started the trial.’

‘And what does that mean?’ Natalie leaned forward.

‘Basically, almost all their patients are still cancer free after two years. Summer’s last remission wasn’t even six months.’

‘Wow. That does sound really promising.’ Natalie smiled. ‘And you need to raise funds.’

‘Desperately.’

‘And so you came up with the idea of holding a Christmas Festival. In summer. Can you explain how you came up with that?’

‘Christmas has always been one of Summer’s favourite times of the year, and unfortunately because of her treatment, she spent last Christmas on an isolation ward.’

‘I understand it was a close thing?’

‘Yes.’ Evelyn had to swallow hard to keep the tears at bay to be able to answer. ‘It was bad. But Summer’s always been a fighter, and she got through it.’

‘So you wanted to give her the Christmas that she missed.’ Natalie nodded in understanding.

‘Exactly.’

‘There are some people who might say that the idea of Christmas in August is a crazy gimmick, controversial even. That it won’t work. What would you say to them?’

Evelyn’s throat constricted painfully. It was the fear bothering her most at the moment; the idea that there was a treatment somewhere in the world that could help her baby, but she might not be able to get her there.

‘I think I’ve got this one.’ Jake squeezed Evelyn’s fingers out of sight of the camera. ‘We have faith it will work. The thing about Christmas is that it’s magical. It’s when people come together with the people they love the most, and celebrate love and hope. They believe in the spirit of giving and kindness and joy – in Santa. Believing in Christmas is about believing in everything you hold dear. It’s believing in the goodness of people, and hope’—he turned to smile at Evelyn and Summer—‘and it’s believing in love.’

Natalie nodded as Jake leaned forward.

‘So, if it’s OK, I’ve got a question for you, Natalie?’

‘Of course.’

He fixed her with one of the looks that Evelyn knew so well.

‘Do you believe that joy, and hope, and love should be held in your heart all year long? And not just a single day in December? Do you believe there’s a place for the magic of Christmas every single day? Do you believe in the miracle of human kindness all year round?’

‘I think I do.’ Natalie nodded slowly, obviously affected by Jake’s speech. After a moment she cleared her throat. ‘So tell us more about this little place called Broclington, and what Summer’s Christmas is going to look like.’

‘That’s easy!’ Summer laughed. ‘We’re going to have a proper Christmas, but in August.’

‘The whole village will be decorated for Christmas,’ Jake explained. ‘And Christmas in Broclington is still quite traditional. We have carollers, a big tree decorated in the middle of the village – which the villagers ourselves planted over a decade ago, and we add more decorations to every year. And we have the Mistletoe Ball, which is always really popular, Secret Santa gift exchanges across the whole village, and fundraising events that last the week. And this year, because it’s Summer’s Christmas, we’re combining it with our summer carnival and fete, with all the proceeds going towards Summer’s treatment.’

‘Wow.’ Natalie smiled. ‘They do say it “takes a village to raise a child” – I guess in this case, it couldn’t be more true.’

‘That’s right,’ Evelyn agreed.

‘It’s what our community does best. Pulling together to help each other.’

Natalie turned back to the camera. ‘So there you have it. A community pulling together to give a child the best gift possible – her health – for Christmas’—she gave the camera a warm smile—‘in August. We’ll be putting more details of this story, and tracking the fundraising efforts on our website. But I think I know what I’ll be doing this August bank holiday, and I hope you’ll join me there.’

‘And … we’re off.’ The woman with the clipboard waved a hand in the air, indicating the filming was done. Evelyn breathed a huge sigh of relief, and finally relaxed.

‘That was fun!’ Summer was practically buzzing with energy.

‘I’m glad you think so.’ Evelyn rubbed her eyes. ‘How do you think it went?’

‘It was great.’ Natalie smiled. ‘I don’t think it could have gone much better. Your answer’—she gestured to Jake—‘about Christmas was really, really good. Inspiring. And I meant what I said. If you think it would help, I’d like to be there to support the cause.’