There's a biting wind in Manchester city centre on Christmas morning.
It howls through Market Street, carrying the Metrolink announcements all the way down to the Royal Exchange.
Manchester's hubbub might not be here, but rough sleepers still are. Just after 10am, one man, draped in a sleeping bag, wanders past security guards near where the Christmas Markets closed days earlier.
He doesn't want to be interviewed, but gives a concise reply when this reporter wishes him a good day.
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"It's going to be s***," he says.
He then continues on his journey.
In Northern Quarter, more doorways are hosting sleeping bags. Many of the people who are inside them are asleep so don't want to be disturbed, but one man who is happy to chat is Mohammed.
He's sleeping on a forklift pallet, near the Soup bar on Spear Street.
He's been sleeping rough for two months, having come to the UK to flee a brutal civil war in Sudan three years ago.
He isn't wearing shoes or socks. He has some boots, but is giving his feet a rest for the moment.
"It's difficult," he explains. "It's cold. It's very, very cold."
After Christmas, Mohammed will be able to stay with his brother, but that isn't a long-term solution.
He continues: "They don't have housing here. There's shooting in Sudan. It's not an option [to return]."
Still, despite Mohammed's situation - one which charities say most people are only two paychecks away from - he laughs. He wishes passersby a Merry Christmas. He gives a warm goodbye to the Manchester Evening News team.
If ever there was a reminder that a little bit of hope can go a long way, Mohammed is it.
Be kind to each other, and have a happy and peaceful Christmas.
