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‘Jasper,’ Daniel and Tommaso whispered at the same time, stretching the word out as though savouring it.

‘Keanu Reeves in Point Break vibes. I would surf him.’

‘Nifty with a power tool, and they’re right about his pecan pie,’ said Daniel, his pupils almost heart shaped.

So that’s why he was licking his lips.

‘Though he’s got deliveries, so we’re stuck with Mr Ham,’ said Tommaso. ‘I need to take and share photos, so you won’t catch me up a ladder.’

‘I don’t want it to be a big thing,’ said Noémi, her eyes darting to the large shop sign on the floor, still hidden under its dust sheet.

She’d had the sign made more than two years ago. And as much as she felt sure it was time, if she went around making a song and dance, there would be more people to witness if she fell flat on her face. Or was that just her nerves talking?

‘Is your fireman friend still coming?’ Noémi asked Daniel.

He’d be more capable up a ladder than most of them, and she didn’t want to be responsible for Mr Ham keeling over.

Daniel checked the time. ‘Erm. Depends on whether there are any fires.’

She’d only invited Felix, Tommaso, and Daniel, representing some of the shop’s past and future, with Tommaso now taking over some of Felix’s shifts to help. Her mum had given her blessing for this yesterday. They were ready for a fresh start.

Her gaze wandered to the two enormous tubes, which were still at the top of the hill, chained to a lamppost so people couldn’t go wildly skidding off. They were part of Shay’s snow-themed adventures, though she absolutely wasn’t thinking about him. His shop didn’t look open yet, and there was no hope he’d be part of the shop’s future if he never stayed in one place.

Not to mention she didn’t want to start blubbing in front of Shay. Putting up the new sign might feel emotional, as she’d had it made not long before Asher died. It had been part of a dream that she’d since packed away – but wasn’t Christmas the best time to unwrap things? And they deserved this chance to turn their luck around.

‘Did anyone order five fancy lattes and a man with a hammer drill?’

‘I might have,’ said Daniel a little guiltily. He fanned his face, quickly rushing to help Shay – who’d arrived in Lycra cycling gear, carrying a tray of drinks and a backpack, his bike propped up by Chai’s van.

‘God, I love it here,’ said Tommaso, taking photos and probably thinking up his next cheeky caption for The Cotswold Juice.

Noémi tried for an exasperated sigh, but she couldn’t deny that something inside her was delighted to see Shay. She knew he was never going to be in her future. But was it wrong to want to bask in his presence, as long as there was no nibbling? He’d even bought her a reusable coffee cup emblazoned with Sip off, I’m reading, which she could one day remember him by.

Soon enough, Mr Ham appeared with ladders and Shay was bouncing up one, drilling off the old sign, with Mr Ham and Daniel taking the weight. Noémi didn’t want to sprain a wrist now she’d be making all those cookies.

Preparing to take down the old sign felt terrifying. But sometimes you had to let go of things to make space for something new.

She was grateful Shay hadn’t quizzed her about it, nor turned up in angel wings to cause a scene. Perhaps he sensed Noémi needed to do this without the fuss, even if that was easier said than done around there. She’d already rebuffed questions from one passing coach trip, two sausage dog walkers, three people looking for Christmas wreaths at Leaf Me Alone – and she wouldn’t be surprised if four calling birds and a goat were on the way.

‘Noémi,’ said Felix quietly. ‘I need to tell you something.’

Noémi’s heart froze – because those words rarely led to anything good. She turned to face Felix and grabbed his mittened hands. He hadn’t looked himself since the fire. What if it had seriously affected him? She’d never forgive herself.

His chin wobbled with whatever he was about to say, and even the peep of his pigs-in-blankets bow tie from beneath his duffle coat couldn’t bring its usual cheer.

‘What’s wrong?’ Noémi asked, her voice wavering.

At least the others were occupied with the sign, and Tommaso was busy taking photos of men with big tools.

‘It’s time for me to move on,’ he replied, with a quick glance upwards.

What? Wait. Was he … Noémi felt the sting of tears.

‘Oh, no no,’ he said quickly. ‘I’m not visiting the angels, just yet. Reverend Godbee doesn’t need to make space in his rose garden.’

‘Thank goodness.’ She pulled him into a quick hug, relief flooding her.

‘What I mean is, it’s time I said goodbye to my role in the bookshop. You’ve been so kind in having me, even with my fuzzy memory. I’ve been more of an albatross than an emperor penguin.’