One Good TURN

Emma’s little girl knew the true meaning of Christmas

- Alyson Hilbourne

Four-year-old Polly skipped along without a care, clutching her bead-set gift.

However, her mother Emma was disappointed.

It was Christmas Eve and they had been to see Santa at the garden centre, resplendent in a log cabin covered with cotton wool snow and surrounded by twinkling trees. The garden centre had promised a photo of Polly with Santa, but their instant camera had broken. Emma had been so thrown, she'd forgotten to use her phone.

Now, as she berated herself for her stupidity, Polly suddenly stopped and tugged Emma's arm.

'Why is Santa in a sleeping bag?' her daughter asked.

Emma blinked and followed the direction Polly was looking.

'That's not Santa,' she said.

'We've just seen him at the garden centre.' Polly frowned. "Tis!" Emma had to admit there was a slight resemblance. The street sleeper had a cloud of white hair and a silvery beard that was ivory around the edges.

'Come on, Polly. We need to be home to get ready for Father Christmas tonight.' Reluctantly, Polly started to walk, but Emma was aware of her turning round again as they went.

That evening, Polly hung up her stocking and carefully placed two mince pies on a plate for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph.