MAGICAL Memories

Years before, Jen made a Christmas wish - but would Santa ever make it come true?

Jen hitched up her V stripy green tights, adjusted her collar 1 with bells on and straightened her bobble hat. Never in a million years did she imagine, at the age of 49, she’d be working as one of Santa’s little helpers in a Christmas grotto.

‘Can you jump on the till, Jen?’ shouted staff supervisor Carla.

‘Sure.’

Jen gritted her teeth. She'd messed up the price codes the previous day.

‘Don’t worry, Ill handle the tech, if you deal with the merch,’ offered one of the glamorous 18-something elves, smoothing a beautifully arched brow.

Even with three Santas and a dozen elves, it had been non-stop. Queues had formed before the store opened, so Jan was relieved when Carla finally said, Better take your lunch break. Twenty minutes.’

Her stomach growling, Jen grabbed her bag and rushed to the staffroom. The only free seat was opposite one of the Santas.

‘Mind if join you?’

Jen asked.

Engrossed in his turkey and cranberry baguette, the Santa hardly glanced up.

Rude, she thought, plonking herself in the plastic chair facing him before peeling her satsuma.

‘Ouch, my eye!’ Santa yelped as juice squirted in his direction.

‘Oops, sorry,’ Jen burbled, blushing as red as his suit.