There are a few films that are like a boomerang. They come back. Once a year, mostly around Christmas. One of these is Nottinghill from 1999. Julia Roberts’ character Anna Scott sees La Mariée by Chagall in the home of Hugh Grant’s character, William Thacker. Anna later gives William the original as a present. The screenwriter, a fan of Chagall, chose La Mariée because it “depicts a yearning for something that’s lost” – which is what romance is all about.

They showed this film tonight and I watched it, I think, for the 20th time.

It finished far too late, but watching it made me feel for a couple of hours as if this Christmas was one like those of the past, one that I was yearning for.

The reality is: it’s not. The love this Christmas is stronger. Much stronger. Than ever before.