because of the crowds and fireworks), there were well over twenty of us gathered together on the square by Kate’s recommended time.
‘It’s nothing short of a Christmas miracle,’ Lisa laughed as she and John ushered their beaming brood across the road.
‘Just goes to show what can be achieved with the right motivation, doesn’t it?’ John joined in, giving his wife a squeeze.
‘I wish it really could be Christmas every day,’ said their little lad, Archie, as he jumped up and down.
‘Now, don’t start that,’ said John with a grin. ‘We’ll all be sick of those words in a few weeks’ time.’
‘Not me,’ said Archie, puffing out his cheeks and pulling off his woolly hat, which Lisa shoved straight back on.
A cheer went up as Luke jogged over the road from Prosperous Place, closely followed by Finn.
‘It was mad trying to get back through the city,’ Luke panted. ‘I should never have taken the car.’
I hadn’t ventured into the city yet, but I knew the radio station was located in The Forum building which was next to county hall where a Norwich striker and his YouTube sensation girlfriend would be turning on the lights, so it was hardly surprising that he had found it busy.
‘How did I do?’
Everyone began telling him at once and Ryan showed him his phone, scrolling through the social media feeds, the screen lighting up their faces in the near dark. From what I could make out, every session would be booked by the end of the week and if I pitched in, I wouldn’t have to worry about twiddling my thumbs during the weekends for a good while to come.
‘Not too shabby then?’ Luke grinned, clapping his hands together. ‘Right, who wants chips?’
We made our way along the already busy paths into the city like some overgrown and extra-long school crocodile. Most of the men had little ones on their shoulders, even Finn, who was looking even larger thanks to an oversized knitted sweater. He was carrying Jasmine on his shoulders and it made for a very striking tableau, though I hoped we wouldn’t encounter any height restrictions along the route. I should have lent her the hard hat one of the builders had left back in the garden office.
Just as predicted, the city centre was awash with people and we had to queue for a while before everyone had their own cone of chips. The children had all been lifted down before we entered the market, which was made up of rows and rows of individual striped canopied permanent stalls. From the glimpses I had seen, it looked as though you could buy anything you wanted, from practically anywhere in the world.
‘You all right?’ asked Ryan, coming to stand next to me as I sprinkled salt on my chips.
‘Yes,’ I nodded, letting out a long breath. ‘I’m okay.’
‘Sure?’
I looked at his young face and was surprised to find his brow etched with a frown.
‘Only I know that look,’ he said, giving me a sympathetic smile. ‘I had a bit of a moment in here myself when I first moved in with my sister. It’s tight for space, isn’t it?’
The eagle-eyed youngster had picked up on my sudden feeling of claustrophobia and kindly rushed over to check up on me. He really was a kind-hearted young lad. No wonder Poppy always looked so proud when she talked about him.
‘Yes,’ I said, swallowing hard. ‘It is a bit of a squeeze and I’m not all that comfortable in enclosed spaces.’
I had been doing my best not to think about it, but Ryan’s observation and kindly meant intervention had kicked my awareness of the limited space up a notch.
‘And what doesn’t help is being stuck in here with a tree like him,’ he added, giving Finn’s arm a friendly thump.
‘What’s up?’ Finn asked, awkwardly twisting around and looking down at us.
Now Ryan had drawn my attention to it, Finn did seem to take up an extraordinary amount of room. I looked up at him and felt my knees weaken as my chest started to flutter with a sudden palpitation. I should have stayed focused on my feet.
‘Freya’s feeling a bit hemmed in,’ said Ryan as Poppy called for him to collect his chips.
Finn’s eyes flicked back to my face and I wished Ryan hadn’t pointed my problem out, even though he had meant it kindly.
‘I’ll be okay,’ I swallowed again, looking around for a way out. ‘I just need a breath of air, that’s all.’
‘Here,’ said Finn, offering