With less than a week to go till Christmas, the biggest toy shop in town was packed.
Julia tapped her along foot to Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody and admired the glittering decorations as she queued at the checkout.
"What do you mean, you've none left?" demanded a woman at the Customer Services desk. "The local radio said you'd just had a delivery." "I'm sorry, madam, but they sold out almost immediately."
Huffing the woman turned to leave but as she did, she spotted the Rocket Man Animatronic Action Figure in Julia's arms. Julia tightened her grip on the toy and avoided eye contact as the woman flounced past.
She, too, had heard the radio announcement and after calling work to say she would be late, had raced straight to the store, getting here just in time.
However Julia could sympathise with anyone who hadn't been so lucky. Rocket Man was this year's must-have toy and she'd been chasing it for months.
Thankfully her persistence had paid off.
She paid for the figure and also the equally popular Maisie Mae baby doll which chuckled adorably when she was picked up. Then she carried her purchases to the car.
Julia owned a small company which produced luxury Chr mas cakes and puddings. Contrary to what everyone believed, December was actually a quiet month for her and her team of six, with all the baking having been done much earlier and the goods delivered to the shops by early autumn. Winter months were for testing new recipes and sourcing top quality ingredients.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, breezing in.
"Any problems?" "None," said her assistant Elaine, smiling. "Except that Carrie's not happy with the amount of brandy in the jewelled glacé cake for next year. I've organised a tasting for later so you can have the final say."
"Thanks." Julia headed for her office.
"Did you get your shopping done?" called Elaine, unable to hide her curiosity.
Denne historien er fra December 13, 2022-utgaven av My Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra December 13, 2022-utgaven av My Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
I Can't Wait To Play The Queen Mum
Gracing screens, treading boards, royal roles much-loved actress Dame Penelope Wilton has done it all!
TAKING CANCER TO THE CATWALK X
Teacher Mary Jones reflects on the extraordinary way her breast cancer diagnosis challenged her view on womanhood and ultimately led her to a London catwalk
Fighting For All Women
Diagnosed with breast cancer aged 36, Jessica Parsons is raising awareness of the disease in younger women
The Fall Guy
Surely Caitlin’s boyfriend had nothing to do with all the drama going on at the jeweller’s...
The Widow At Number Ten
There were many secrets to unpack in this old house
Old Habits Die Hard
Even for our lively suburb, gunshots were pretty unusual and was curious to find out what was going on
A Wedding To Remember
Surely nothing would spoil this special day.
Distinctly Feline Flavour
Desperation forces Chris to add something unusual to his cup of tea!
The Old Burgundy Book
Within its ageing pages Rosie found a story of fading romance and a fresh chance for love to bloom...
The Haunted Ballroom
Mysteries swirled around this magical place...