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Once all the pies have been eaten, as we’re leaving the clearing, something flutters to the ground near me, catching the light. It’s one of the wishes, fallen from the tree. I pick it up, brushing off the mud and bits of wood chipping. The envelope is damaged and the card all but torn in half. Without thinking, I pull it out to try and salvage it, stopping as I notice the large, shaky writing and read the words still on there:

Forever home.

Chapter 33

The next day could not be more different. There’s a buzz of activity out in the farmyard when I wake up. I dress in a hurry and head outside to find out what’s going on.

‘We’re from BBC Wales. We’ve heard about Christmas Tree Farm from Hana on TikTok,’ explains the young woman I approach first. ‘We loved the idea of people bringing a special ornament to remember a loved one, and making a wish on the tree before they leave. Have you taken a look online? Because #RememberThisChristmas is trending across social media.’

‘We heard the mince pies were good, too!’ says a cameraman nearby. He has a big smile and a spiral moustache.

‘Oh, that’s wonderful,’ I say. ‘Come and have a look around! We’re nothing like Christmas Tree World –’ I’m about to add ‘I’m afraid’, but don’t. I smile. ‘We’re nothing like Christmas Tree World at all.’

Lara and Luke arrive, and we all spring into action. Lara is wearing an elf hat; Luke is in a light-up jumper. And Horse, when he appears at the forest gate, is wearing a Viking helmet with horns decorated with battery-operated lights that Lara ordered for him online. Looking gorgeous, I can’t help but think.

‘We’d better put some food out for them,’ I say to Will. We head into the house and pick up some of his spiced mince pies and samosas, then carry them to the forest hut.

The days that follow the TV news piece are hectic. Hana returns for another visit, this time with her boyfriend, picking out a tree for their home and putting a little pink bear on it for her niece who has just been born. And as if that isn’t enough, when he drops to his knee and holds out a ring in a box to her – right in the middle of our forest – it goes viral. Suddenly, we’re the Christmas tree farm with heart.

‘Looks like the wishes here really do come true!’ she says, referring to the wish she tied to the tree on her last visit.

‘We saw you on the telly,’ says Anne from the knitting circle, back again in the Skoda. ‘We thought we could knit some ornaments for people to buy and put on the trees, if they haven’t brought one with them?’

‘That sounds perfect,’ I say, and they set themselves up in the barn next to the puppies and Delilah, in knitted hats and scarves: our Three Wise Knitters.

After finally locking the gates in the evening, tired but incredibly happy, Horse and I take to the kitchen. We cook up one of the recipes from his Hairy Bikers book. He’s had a text from Nadiya to say she’s prepared some spice mixes for him to pick up, which should make cooking easier now we’re getting busier. Meanwhile, Will makes some pakoras, as well as more samosas and mince pies with a spicy kick for the next day in the forest.

The five of us sit round the table and toast a very busy, wonderful day at Christmas Tree Farm with wine, beer and orange juice. I can’t remember when I last felt this happy. Perhaps when Paddy and I had our last Christmas here, selling trees. There was a buzz about the whole place that year. Parents came with children and grandparents; pet dogs galloped around in the forest, being patted and stroked by friendly visitors. Excitement sizzled in the air, and the smell of warm mince pies circled through the forest. There were all shapes and sizes of trees given names to match their characters and sold to families, couples and friends. Christmas was on its way, and everyone was feeling it.

Luke stretches and yawns.

‘What a great day,’ he says. ‘But I’d better make tracks.’ However, he doesn’t make any move to go.

‘Is Scarlett missing you?’ I ask. ‘Is she still cross with me about not getting in before Christmas?’

‘Actually,’ he says, ‘I’m in the spare room.’

He lets the words settle.

‘Oh, sorry to hear that, mate,’ says Horse.

‘We just had . . . a difference of opinion, let’s say. I think, more and more, we’ve just got different priorities these days.’

‘Well, if this place had anything to do with that, I’m sorry,’ I say.

He holds up a hand. ‘It’s okay. We just need to work through some things.’

‘You’re always welcome here, if you need anywhere to go. There’s a spare room upstairs, or you can go to Ty Coed with Horse?’ I look at Horse.

‘I’d be glad of the company,’ he says, smiling.

‘Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind.’

‘Not at all,’ Horse and I say together, and laugh.

‘I’ll let Scarlett know,’ he says, ‘give her a bit of space. See how she’s feeling in a few days.’ He steps outside to make the call.

I stand and take the plates to the table.