Santa baby

Would Mr C play along with Annie' s lie?

Ive made plenty of New Year' s resolutions, in my time losing weight, flossing my teeth, stopping biting my nails. But I never expected to be the subject of someone else' s.

Yet this year, on 1 January, my childhood sweetheart, Gavin, resolved to dump me. New year, new him, apparently. He wanted his space. He needed to fly solo.

I was gutted. I loved the guy and thought we' d be together forever.

You' re young, Annie,'

Mum insisted. You' ve got plenty of time to meet someone else.'

I' m not that young!' I snapped back. I' m 29.'

I wept and wailed to anyone who would listen and when I figured everyone' s patience had just about run out, I continued to cry into my pillow.

Then spring came, and all the little buds and the first blinks of sunshine persuaded me that maybe I, too, could flourish again.

Little by little, I stretched out the minutes between spells of thinking about Gavin, until I could go almost a whole day.

You' re looking brighter,' Mum said. Feeling better?'

I have to move on, Mum.

It' s not easy, but I' m doing my best,' I informed her.

Good girl. You' ll soon meet someone,' she promised.

Except I didn' t.

Just as Gavin was dumping me, it seemed that everyone in my office was hooking up. Petra, whose desk faced mine, went on a date with

Andrew from over by the window, and things took off from there. Georgia from reception and Jared, who is the expert in fixing the coffee machine when it goes on the blink, ran into each other at a gig, and romance blossomed. Even Vivienne and William started attending ballroom dance classes together, and they must be in their 60s!

The only person who wasn' t seeing anyone inside or outside work was me.

I hate my life!' I screamed into my pillow.

Icontinued limping along until summer had been and gone. But then September brought another big setback.

I' m afraid we' re going to have to let you go,' Helen from HR told me, across the desk in her office.

You' ve done nothing wrong it' s just the times. We have to cut 10 per cent of our staff, and since you' re one of the last to join the firm, I' m afraid that means we' ll have to lose you.'

Losing my job meant I had no choice but to give up my flat and move back in with Mum and Dad.

I didn' t waste any time and fired off stacks of applications for new work positions, but I only secured three interviews, and none of those was successful.

I sat on my single bed, still with the My Little Pony duvet cover, hugging my old Humpty Dumpty to my chest.

I am staring down the barrel of 30 years of age, with no boyfriend, no job and no flat of my own,' I whimpered. This is the worst year ever.'

Fast forward to November, and I was back among the ranks of the employed, again albeit temporarily. Christmas had presented some new opportunities and I' d jumped at one position that offered lots of hours to those who had the energy for overtime.

I could simply mention that it was in a big department store, and perhaps throw in that it came with staff uniform and an employee-discount card.

Then, you might picture me in a smart skirt and blouse, dispensing advice in ladies' fashions, or carefully parcelling cut-glass and china in a home wares department.

Alas, the job was nothing like that. I wasn' t a slinky sales assistant, or anything of the sort.

I was one of Santa' s grotto elves.

Look, the shifts were endless, but the pay reflected that, and I was desperate for cash after the time I' d had.

All the same, I tried to duck out of the way when anyone I knew from real life ventured into Santa' s Winter Wonderland dodging off to straighten a few icicles or sweep up some snow.

Being a cheery elf was my number one responsibility, though we were making precious memories, don' t forget and I was just soothing a little girl who had dropped her present, when from the corner of my eye, I saw something that made my blood run as cold as the North Pole.

It was Gavin, standing in line with a beautiful young woman and a little boy.

This time, there was no hiding place. He was going to see me with my painted rosy cheeks, in my candycane tights, with pom-poms on my slippers and a red and white hat on my head.

As Gavin approached, I saw him take a good look at me,

ÔI am staring down the barrel of 30 years of age, with no boyfriend, no job and no flat of my ownÕ

and then recognition dawned.

`Annie?' he said, in a voice that suggested he could hardly believe it.

`Ahem Sparkles,' I corrected him, pointing at my snowflake-name badge.

Gavin choked down a snort.

Sorry, Sparkles,' he echoed. But¼ you work here?'

The woman by his side looked interested.

Do you two know each other?' she asked.

Much as I was embarrassed, I couldn' t help noticing the look on the face of the little boy who was swinging on Gavin' s hand. It might wound me to my heart that Gavin was playing happy families with someone else, but I was still reminded that this encounter was something the child would remember forever, and I wanted that to be for the right reasons.

A voice came through on my dinky head-set.

Next child is Stephen Makepeace, aged four.'

I beamed my best elf smile and crouched down to his level.

Stephen, are you ready to venture into Santa' s Winter Wonderland?'

The little boy' s eyes were like saucers.

But how did you know my name?'

Just like we know a lot of things, round here,' I replied, then added, in a whisper: Magic!'

Stephen looked up at his mum and broke into a proper grin.

Shall I lead the way?' I suggested.

Stephen and his mum were toiling away in Santa' s workshop, making a picture of a racing car from special tacks and red, shiny string.

Our Santa experience was expensive, but it came with lots of extras, and Stephen would get to take home his artwork as well as other treats.

Gavin hung back to speak to me.

So you' re an elf now?' he checked, as if there could be any doubt. That' s a bit of a change for you.'

I thought I' d try something creative,' I said, attempting to sound like it had been a matter of choice.

Office jobs are all very well,' I continued, knowing that Gavin worked in a particularly dull paper merchant' s. But this place is so much fun. Seeing all those little smiling faces well, it' s like we' re making dreams come true.'

I couldn' t resist asking: So how long have you been with Stephen' s mum?'

Gerda? A few months now.'

So when you told me you didn' t want to be in a relationship, what you really meant was that you didn' t want to be in a relationship with me.'

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I regretted them.

Sounding whiney wasn' t very dignified. I wanted Gavin to look at me and see someone who was over us, not someone who was pining or bitter.

So you' re not seeing anyone yourself then?' Gavin asked.

I looked into his big brown eyes and clocked something I didn' t want to see there

pity.

In that moment, I made up my mind I wasn' t going down without a fight.

Actually, I' m happy to tell you I' m head over heels about someone,' I rattled out.

Gavin didn' t have to look so surprised.

Really?'

Yes. We haven' t known each other very long, but sometimes you just click.

He' s tall, he' s got a great bod and we laugh at all the same things.'

That' s fantastic,' Gavin said, but something in his look said he didn' t believe me. So who is he?'

Just then, Father Christmas came striding out into the workshop.

Stephen and the five other children jumped up and shrieked in delight.

That' s him!' I hissed at Gavin, impetuously.

What?'

Santa. My new boyfriend is Santa Claus.'

Santa, I' d like to introduce

So youÕ re an elf now?Õ he checked, as if there could be any doubt. T hat s a bit of a change for youÕ

Stephen,' I said.

Santa was sitting on his special throne in the final chamber of his Winter Wonderland.

Stephen that' s a fine name,' Santa said in his booming voice. Tell me, did Sparkle here get you some hot chocolate?'

Yes, Santa.'

`And some toasted marshmallows?'

Yes, Santa. Thank you,' Stephen replied.

Well then, it seems that all the preliminaries have been covered. Which brings us to the matter of your list¼ and mine.'

Stephen looked just a tiny bit concerned. I seized the opportunity.

Santa, as you know the elves have been keeping an eye on Stephen, as they do with all the children. Might I have a word in your ear?'

Santa looked a tiny bit surprised this wasn' t in our script. But Gavin and his new family didn' t know that.

I cupped my hand round Santa' s ear.

That' s my ex,' I whispered. He dumped me last New Year' s Day and now he' s turned up here with his new squeeze. I didn' t want to be humiliated, so I sort of told him that you and I are¼ well¼ an item. I know I had no right. But will you ple-e-ease play along?'

I stood back.

Ho-ho-ho,' Santa chortled. Sparkle here tells me you' re at the very top of my Niceº list, young Stephen. So why don' t you and your mum tell me what you' d like for Christmas and I' ll see what I can do.'

Whatever he thought of me, the guy playing Santa took my speech in his stride. But how could I make it seem to Gavin that we were devoted to each other?

Luckily, it was Gavin himself who created the opportunity.

I' d almost forgotten that he' d always liked to get one over on me, until he piped up in a trouble-making tone: So, Santa where' s Mrs Claus today?' I looked at Santa. He stood up on his throne pedestal, towering over Gavin, and smiled a twinklyeyed smile.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no Mrs Claus,' he said. Although, after many years of riding my sleigh alone, that might just be about to change.'

That sounds like big news!' Gerda exclaimed.

The greatest news,' Santa concurred. It has all happened very quickly, since

elfnd meeting a certain young named Sparkle¼'

But that' s you!' little Stephen cried, turning my way.

Did I blush? Could anyone see it through the rosy face paint?

Shh,' I whispered, pressing my finger to my lips. We' re trying to keep it quiet for now.'

Then it was time for Stephen and his mum to take his present from Santa' s sack.

I noticed that Gavin seized the opportunity to have a quiet word with the big man.

Oh, Santa, don't give the game away, I willed him.

A moment later, Gavin appeared at my shoulder.

I' ve just invited your new guy to join us for coffee, when the Winter Wonderland closes for the night, and we' ve dropped Stephen with his gran, and he' s agreed,' he said. You' ll come along, of course.' Sure,' I replied. My heart plummeted Santa had played an absolute blinder for me, but how would either of us keep up the pretence?

In the staff room, I was taking off my Christmas hat and removing my rosy make-up.

A handsome guy of about my age came alongside me. Ready?' he asked.

I' m sorry,' I began. Do I know you?'

I should think so! We' ve been working together for three weeks. I' m Matt.'

Matt?'

Also known as Santa?' I looked more closely. This guy was tall, handsome, and well-built with a nice head of hair and the twinkliest eyes.

I know I look a lot younger without the beard,' he said, with a laugh.

I believe we have a date,' he continued, helping me into my coat. With your ex?'

You mean you' re really up for it?' I checked.

The guy must be an idiot to let an elf like you slip through his fingers. I' ve been watching you for weeks you' re kind to the kids and you make sure the Winter Wonderland experience is really magical for them.

My background is in performing arts,' he continued, where half the battle is dealing with a lot of oversized egos. You' re a breath of fresh North Pole air.' I stared at him, speechless. Now, what' s our story? We can' t go through the whole evening as Sparkle and Santa. Where are Annie and Matt up to? Does crazy in love work, for starters?'

It' s almost Christmas and I' ve got a brand-new boyfriend. When the Winter

Wonderland packs up, I' m joining his touring theatre group as administrator.

I' ve already made my resolution for New Year to leave Gavin behind me and look to the future.

Merry Christmas!

ÔIt has all happened very quickly, since meeting a certain young elf named SparkleÉÕ