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‘It does. We’ve done a bloody good job, mate.’ Nick clapped him across the shoulder.

‘We couldn’t have done it alone. The response from the community has been incredible.’ He gave Nick a big hug, thumping him on the back a few times. ‘And we couldn’t have pulled off anything like this without your help. Thank you.’

‘Not a problem. It’s going to be awesome.’ He hesitated when a coach pulled up and started to offload people. He waved to the driver. ‘You’re early, Dave.’

‘I know. But the car park is already filling up with people. Jim’s not far behind me. We thought hanging around the village was better than people hanging around a field.’

‘But we’re not kicking off for over an hour.’

‘I’m just doing what I’m told.’ Dave shrugged. ‘I’ll be heading back for another load of people. And we’ve called in another coach to help.’

‘How many people are there already?’

‘Didn’t stop to count.’ Dave grinned. ‘But I reckon we’re going to be spilling over into the next field before the end of the morning.’

Summer was struggling to hold still from excitement as the hairdresser wove sparkly clips and pins through her hair to complement the tiara waiting on the bench in front of them.

‘Did I tell you what Santa got me?’

Mia, the hairdresser working patiently around Summer’s excitement, smiled indulgently. ‘No, I don’t think you did. So, Santa made a special delivery to you?’

‘Yeah! Can you believe he came in summer? But Nanny said it’s OK, because I didn’t get a proper Christmas in winter.’

‘So what did he bring you?’

‘A hoodie with a big heart and Boston on it, coz that’s where the doctors with the special medicine are. And a snow globe which you shake, and then snow and glitter falls in it. And in the middle is Boston. And a puzzle book, and a big bag of sweets for when we’re on the plane. Did you know that your ears pop when the plane goes up and down? Nanny said it feels weird, but it doesn’t hurt. And if you suck sweets, it isn’t so bad.’

‘She’s right.’ Mia nodded.

‘Have you been on a plane? I never have.’

‘A few times,’ Mia replied. ‘But not for as long as it will take for you to get to Boston. It’s really good fun – you get your own little TV in the back of the seat in front of you, and special food.’

‘Wow.’ Summer’s eyes widened, and Evelyn grinned at her in the mirror.

‘So, are you nervous about today?’

‘I was a little bit. Nanny and Mum and Nick said there’s going to be lots of people, but Jake made it OK.’

Evelyn glanced up at Summer’s words, curious to hear that not only had Summer been nervous, but also that she’d spoken to Jake about it rather than her.

‘He said everyone would only be there coz they want me to get better,’ she continued, not aware of how Evelyn was hanging on her words. ‘And that Santa will be next to me to hold my hand if I do get nervous. And that no one can be nervous when they’re sitting next to Santa.’

‘Jake sounds like a very clever person.’ Mia smiled. ‘Is he your boyfriend?’

Summer giggled so much that Mia had to pull the curling tongs away from her head to avoid catching her with them. ‘That’s silly. Jake is Mummy’s boyfriend. Not mine!’

‘Oops.’ Mia winced apologetically. ‘He still sounds like he’s very clever.’

‘He is,’ Summer agreed. ‘I like him.’

Me too, Evelyn thought. She more than liked him. A lot more.

Jake could feel Evelyn trembling as she stood next to him, her hand squeezing his so much that it made his knuckles creak, but there was no way he was asking her to let go. The music from the silver band – because Broclington didn’t just have a brass band – swelled and Evelyn’s hand tightened even more.

She had smiled and helped Summer into the carriage that would be pulled just behind the silver band, heading up the rest of the carnival. He’d watched, and waved, as Evelyn fussed with Summer’s dress and opened up the lacey parasol to protect her from the sun, and given strict instructions to “Santa” to not let her get too hot, or too excited, in spite of who he was beneath the beard and hat. Though, in deference to the heat, he’d forgone the fur lined coat in favour of a red shirt, shorts, and tie covered in elves. Next to him, Summer looked like a snow princess, all sparkling and shining with excitement.

Evelyn had blown her a kiss – careful not to smudge the glittery make-up that Summer was so excited about – before grabbing Jake’s hand and they’d raced from the meeting point to the first corner the carnival would come around, wanting to experience every single moment of the whole event. He looked around the usually quiet pavements and was amazed to see people squashed up four and five abreast, crammed into every spare inch on the pavement. Around them, people balanced on walls, and small children sat proudly on the shoulders of their parents. Jake had never seen the village so busy.