The Guessing Gift

Maddie’s present was so thoughtful if only Julie could figure out what it was!

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Maddie’s eyes shone with excitement as she handed over the Christmas present, wrapped very securely with paper and lots of tape.

“Oh, for me?” her grandmother, Julie, asked.

Maddie nodded vigorously.

“She’s been so excited,” Faith said, as she squeezed past in the hallway, her arms laden with gifts while Aron followed with baby Ollie in his car seat.

Since Julie lived alone, she’d invited her daughter Faith and family to come for Christmas Day.

She was more than happy to make Christmas dinner and give her hard-working daughter a rest.

Delicious smells wafted from the kitchen to greet the family.

“Kettle’s on,” Julie declared. We'll eat at one o'clock, if that’s OK?”

She followed them into the lounge. Julie loved the bustle of family life filling the house.

She often looked after Maddie on a Saturday and the pair were very close.

Faith set up Ollie’s activity mat and he was soon kicking about contentedly.

Everyone sat down except Maddie, who stood in front of her gran with her hands behind her back, rocking slightly from foot to foot.

Julie realised she still had the present in her hand.

“Before make the drinks, must open this,” she said. How exciting!”

“I made it at school.” Maddie beamed. It took ages and ages.”

Julie felt the parcel, squeezing it softly and making big eyes at Maddie.

“I can’t guess what it is!” She laughed. What a mystery!”

Maddie chuckled.

Julie peeled off one strip of tape, then another, but it soon became obvious that if she carried on with that approach she’d be there all morning.

She reached into her needlework box for scissors and carefully cut through the layers of tape.

Tearing away the paper, Julie arrived at the present.