Callicarpa.

This small shrub has these bright purple berries on bare stems in Autumn/Winter.  They are quite striking and look like little beads that have been stuck on.
Pleasant day until friend's son,  away at very specialised college has had confirmation of positive Covid test. She will pick him up tomorrow and his isolation will end 2 days before Xmas.  Apart from his initial raised temperature and slight feeling of being unwell he has been symptomless.  I was preparing for a home alone Christmas as this is where I was invited to spend Xmas.  She now has the problem of getting her team of carers together to manage his physical difficulties bearing in mind his being  positive and the effect that may have on their other clients and their own home circumstances.  Oh yes ....and then my boiler stopped working! This could be a Christmas to remember...or forget.  Let's see!