I wasn’t sure I was ever going to sing anything ever again with my family, so when my famous last line came, I looked right into the camera, just as the director had asked, and gave it some serious elf-welly.

“Happy holidays from the cutest little elf in the whole wide world!”

I’d done it. We’d done it.

But no one called cut. The cameras kept on filming.

And the other elf stepped up to the mic next to me.

“Don’t forget about me!” he sang into the mic, in a truly terrible, squeaky elf voice. What was going on?! The crowd cracked up – whistling, cheering, laughing. What was he doing? And why was he taking off his green elfy beard? His green elfy hat? His black-rimmed glasses with candy canes on?

I should have guessed when I saw beautiful red curls sticking out from under Santa’s grey hair. But I hadn’t had a clue.

“May I?” my rival elf asked. I could only muster a nod.

But the elf? He held up some mistletoe. Leant in. And kissed my cheek.

What … the? The crowd went wild. Grace climbed on Harry’s shoulders.

Was Joseph D I-Hate-Christmas Chambers dressed as an elf?

Was Joseph D I-Don’t-Talk-About-My-Private-Life Chambers kissing me in front of the world?

Was Joseph D I-Should-Be-In-Paris Chambers in Bromster?

Wait. Once more.

Did Joseph D Chambers just kiss me?

“AND THAT’S A WRAP!” Harry’s mum yelled. The crowd whooped. But I was in elf-shock. “Great job, guys. Excellent cameos from Joseph and Maeve.” Was Ru really here? “Parsnip and turkey, I didn’t think the twerking was going to work but somehow it did.” My dad yelled “turk-ing!”, making the crowd giggle. “It’s going to look awesome. And Molly – great surprised face! You can stop now though, the cameras are off.” Was Joseph D Chambers here? “So, let’s get some music on and start this party, because I’ve heard all about Grace’s wonderful granddad, and now the boring bit’s done, we’re all here to party like Grampy George would want us to!” Had Joseph D Chambers forgiven me?!

“There’ll be raffles and quite a lot of biscuits to buy – so dig deep and raise money for Holly Hospice.” The front row whooped! “And, most importantly, have fun!”

And with a big cheer the party kicked off.

But I was still standing at the mic, blinking. I looked down at Grace who was grinning up at me, loving what was happening.

Did Joseph D Chambers just kiss me?

Maeve whipped off her Santa hat and hair and leant over. “All his idea. Told him we’d look ridiculous.” She tugged at her beard. “But he said that was the point.” She laughed, as next to her the cutest green face smiled at me.

“Just call me Jos-elf.” Joseph scrunched his face, embarrassed. “No, that doesn’t work, does it.”

“And this is where I leave you to it.” Maeve gave me a hug and stepped back, waggling her big bushy white eyebrows. “Thanks for getting me out of that red carpet dress, by the way. Total saviour. Now I just have to hope your sister digs girls with serious facial hair…” and she walked off.

My sister? What?! But Joseph?! WHAT EVEN MORE?!

And it was just the two of us.

Two elves on a stage. A sleigh in front of us. My house behind us.

It wasn’t a surprise I had no idea what to say.

“To be honest, when I heard the music video was actually happening, I worried you might bail on the whole elf thing. So, I thought what’s better than doing it by yours-elf?... Doing it by ours-elf-s.” He shook his head. “Sorry. Too much elf. I’m nervous, OK?”

He’s nervous?!

What about me?! In a daze I walked down off the stage and into the crowd – the few seconds’ break allowing me to remember how to speak.

“But … how. What… Who?” OK, maybe not back to fully speaking. “And in case you hadn’t worked it out from all the messages. Can I just say, one more time, I’m sorry.”

“You can.” Ru smiled. “But you don’t have to. What matters is that you know who I really am, and not who you think I might be?” He paused. “And that Maeve and I are just…” He laughed. “Maeve and I.”

I nodded. Who he was, was someone who had guarded his privacy his whole life. Tried to protect mine. And dressed up as an elf and given me a kiss in public.

Here he was, willing to look a fool in front of all these people, knowing what the papers would say, giving me a kiss, ending all the Maeve rumours even though he normally kept his private life private, all for me.

“And it matters that you know who I am too,” I said. Because he hadn’t been the only one hiding things.

He nodded. “Mol, my whole life, things hardly ever felt real. Not until I met you. So, if dressing up as an elf is the way to somehow make you take that seriously,” he laughed, “then so be it.”

Well, that was the nicest thing he could have said. I needed to say something just as articulate back. Maybe tell him how much I liked him?

But right now words weren’t my strong point.

“But you’re here. In Bromster. How did you even know? ”

Joseph looked to Elijah a few metres away, clutching a clipboard.

Elijah smiled. Guess I’m a romantic after all.” He raised an eyebrow. “And don’t look so shocked. I can do nice surprises too. Hashtag sleigh. Hashtag star-crossed lovers. Hashtag think I’ll leave you to it.” He stopped. “And yes, this time, no photos. My lips are sealed.”

But Ru and I were overdue a chat, so I took him to my and Grace’s favourite bench. As I led the way Ru took my hand – it felt amazing. But as we pushed through the crowd I bumped straight into two people who were full on dancing, limbs everywhere. Matt and Zaiynab.

“Mol! That was INCREDIBLE!” Zaiynab hugged me.

“Thanks,” I said, awkwardly.

“And before you mention it, can we just say sorry for the radio silence about the band?”

Ru squeezed my hand, the penny dropping. “Hold up. Are you guys The POWR?”

Matt nodded, hardly able to speak. “POWR. Yes.”

Zaiynab rolled her eyes. “Ignore him. He’s kind of a big fan. But seriously, Mol, we wanted to explain. We went quiet because we were working out what to do; if we needed more people. Not cool, I know. We should have just got in touch.”

Yeah, she should have. But I shrugged. “It’s OK.”

We’d all made mistakes recently.