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‘Do you think you could help these customers find a tree, Will?’ Lara asks, smiling kindly. Once again, it saddens me that she hasn’t had the chance to be a mum herself, and she and her partner didn’t want the same things. She will make a wonderful mum someday.

‘Of course,’ he says, smiling at the couple. ‘What are you looking for? Big, small? Do you have a family?’

‘What sort of tree would you go for?’ the woman asks him. She’s holding the hand of their young child.

‘Well, if I were choosing, I’d go for one of these . . .’ He guides them into the forest, with Lara and Khadiza in tow.

‘So,’ says Horse, coming into the hut behind me, making me jump. I turn around with a little hiccup of laughter.

‘Oh, I didn’t see you there!’

‘You were miles away,’ he says, coming to stand close. I want to just lean into him and stay there.

I sigh.

‘There’s a couple who might be interested in adopting Will. Lara has been talking to their social worker. Seeing if they’re the best match.’

‘Ah,’ he says. ‘I see.’ He puts a hand on my shoulder and pulls me a little closer to him. ‘So that’s what’s been on your mind.’

I nod and lean into his broad chest, breathing him in.

‘You know, you could have told me,’ he says, gently rubbing my neck with his big hand, as if trying to smooth out some of the knots there.

‘I know. It just came as a bit of a shock when Lara told me. I’m sorry. This affects you too. You’ll miss him. I should have said something.’

‘Shhh,’ he says. ‘It’s fine. You’re the one he’s closest to.’

I look up at him.

‘You think so?’

He nods.

‘I know so. You’ve been his person since he arrived here. You and Tegan.’ He gives a gentle smile.

‘Oh yes, poor Tegan!’ I say. ‘We’re all going to miss him.’

A young boy and his mum come up to the hatch. They look at the little chalk menu. ‘Hot chocolate, please,’ she says.

I hand over the mugs of steaming hot chocolate, offer them mince pies – with a warning – and take the money.

‘Thanks, Mum,’ says the boy. ‘This is brilliant! I love it here. Can we come every year?’

And my eyes fill with unshed tears all over again.

Horse pulls me to him again, and this time I slide my arms around him.

‘You’re doing it for him. For Will,’ he says, straight to the point. ‘Because you love him.’

I nod.

‘I do.’

‘Seems like it’s a day for news,’ he says. ‘I’ve been offered a job – North Wales. Working on an estate. The old boy there collects vintage bikes – some cars too, but mostly bikes. We met at a bike festival on his land some years ago. Stayed in touch, and when I’m passing I pop in. His handyman has broken a foot. He wants someone to step in while he’s recovering, live in on the estate, look after the bikes, maintain them. Do a bit of work around the place.’

I look at him. ‘But that’s just perfect for you!’

He nods thoughtfully.