"Uncle Alfie says bad words a lot," Rhia explained and Holden nodded in regretful agreement before simply feeding her a bite of potato cakes so she would get some breakfast in.

"I'd have taken a ten year old," he assured Gideon, smiling a little bit. "They've still got my name down. I'd even take a lad your age. What are you, fourteen? Love to have one of you lads around, maybe help out with Rhia a bit."

"Santa will get me a brother," she informed Gideon knowingly.