Riverside

Five-thirty is far too early to get out of bed on Christmas Day!

HAS Santa Claus been, Mummy?” Sarah clambered on to Susan and Dave’s bed, where Dave was snoring, dead to the world.

Susan was the one who woke up at her daughter’s insistent voice.

“Mummy, think Santa Claus has been! heard sleigh bells!” Sarah cried.

It took Susan a moment to realise what was happening and what day it was.

She opened one eye and peered at the clock. It was only five-thirty a.m.

“Santa Claus hasn’t been yet, sweetheart. Why don’t you go back to bed?”

Susan moved to one side of the bed and pulled Sarah to her.

“Come on in and snuggle down. Let’s go back to sleep for a while.

“I’m sure Santa Claus hasn’t been yet and we don’t want him to catch us wide awake.”

Susan snuggled into the middle of the bed while Dave muttered in his sleep.

“Where’s Clive? What’s he done with my Christmas pudding?”

“Who’s Clive?” Sarah whispered to her mum. “Just someone your daddy works with, darling.

“Your daddy always has work on his mind, even when he’s asleep.

“He has a big day ahead of him in the Old Engine Room. Lots of people are coming in for their Christmas dinner.”

“I’m not going there for my Christmas dinner, am I, Mummy?” Sarah asked.

“No. You're going to Grandma and Grandad’s house.

“Now, close your eyes. When you wake up, Santa Claus will have been.”