Santa's Present

Voices raised in welcome in the next room signalled the arrival of Florence and family. She hurried to greet her sister, who had married Jack's brother George. If Josie replaced her absent mother as she grew up, then she considered Florence to be the big sister who could always be counted on for advice and hugs. "Aunty Vee, look what I've got. Santa brought it."

Her nephew Sam held up a bright red, tin fire truck.

"You lucky boy, Sam. Do you want to play with it after dinner?"

"It squirts real water," he told her excitedly.

"Not in my house it doesn't," Enid snapped. "Florence, it's time your boy stopped believing in Father Christmas. He's getting far too old for such nonsense."

Sam stood in front of his eldest auntie, his head cocked on one side as he looked at her.

"What do you mean, Auntie Enid? Father Christmas came to our house last night and left me my presents. Didn't he visit you?"

Velma nearly choked with laughter as Enid tried to bluster her way out of this difficult situation. All very well to order his parents to explain about Santa, but a different matter when confronted with a four-year-old with big eyes who waited patiently for a reply.

"Come on, young man." George took his son's hand and led him away. "Let's take the baking into the kitchen so Mum can sit down."

Velma watched Sam turn as he reached the kitchen doorway. The child looked straight at Enid.

"Santa is real you know, Auntie. You should ask him for what you want. Santa brings the best presents."