Santa

Santa

October was waning when the letter arrived on Nicholas's doormat from the Department Store to ask if he was available to work in Santa's Grotto and if so could he drop by the office. He set off straight away. Christmas meant the Grotto to Nicholas.

The Receptionist waved him through to staff recruitment.

“Good memory.” thought Nicholas, “I haven't been in since last December.”

“Nick.” smiled Susan holding the office door open, “You've been working for us as an elf for the last 10 years.” she started, “We were wondering how you would feel about a change.”

“Have there been any problems?” Nicholas stuttered, “No-one said anything last year.”

“No. No problems with you at all. Our usual Santa has emigrated to Australia, to be with his daughter. So we were wondering, you've been such a good elf over the last ten Christmas's, would you like to take over as Santa.” Susan said looking hopeful.

“I don't know. I've never been Santa before.” said Nicholas.

“I know, but you've seen how Old Nicholas worked. He recommended you and I'm sure once you get into the red suit you'll soon get into the spirit of things.” she smiled so reassuringly that he had to agree. Gazing at the Grotto props with Susan, he wasn't quite so sure.

“I don't remember this looking quite so battered” he said looking at the sled, the paint on one side was peeling and the plywood was separating. The tinsel was going bald, the Christmas tree was lacking in needles, half the lights didn't work and Santa's throne was a broken pile of wood and red plush fabric.

“Perhaps it could do with a little refurbishment.” said Susan.

“I presume there is a budget.” said Nicholas.

“Yes, not a very big one, but I'm sure, with a bit of imagination you'll come up with something stunning and magical.” Susan said hopefully.

“And you'll want it set up overnight as usual.” said Nicholas looking round.

“Oh yes. We want the children to think Santa moved in overnight whilst the grown ups where asleep. It has to be magical. For the children.” said Susan.

“And the suit?” asked Nicholas.

“What?” said Susan.

“The red Santa suit?” said Nicholas, “Where is it?”

“I thought there was something missing.” said Susan looking round, fishing through the boxes, but there was no Santa suit to be found.

“I think we're going to have to buy a new one, if I remember rightly, it was looking a bit moth eaten last Christmas. I'll see what I can do about that.” said Susan, with that she left him to it. He had a week to come up with something new, different, magical and cheap which could be taken down to the children’s department in the goods lift. He had had so many ideas over the last ten years, now, he could use them, well, most of them, the live reindeer were out, but there were the store rooms. The store rooms were a bit like an Aladdin’s cave at the back, things that were no longer for sale graduated to the back and collected dust, there could be anything there. He would have to put his metaphoric Santa hat on and see what magic he could weave.

It was the evening of the great unveiling of Santa's Grotto. Nicholas had been working hard all week putting his ideas into being. The store's maintenance staff and window dresses had helped him get everything made, to his design, shifted down to the basement and set up. All the elves, the old regulars and the new recruits, where in their new costumes. Now was the moment, like a dress rehearsal, to find out what they thought of Santa's New Grotto.

“Hi Nick. Where's Old Nick.” asked John, one of the old elves.

“Gone to Australia to be with his daughter.” said Nick

“That explains the Santa suit. What does Michael think of it?” asked John.

“Don't know. Why?” asked Nicholas.

“He always reckoned it was his job if ever Old Nick hung up his sack.” said John.

“First I've heard of that, and I've been here ten years.” said Nicholas.

“What're you doing in that suit.” said Michael, almost pushing Nick over “That job was mine. You shouldn't have taken it.”

“Well I'm sorry you see it that way.” said Nicholas, “But that's the way it is. You can always talk to Susan about it.”

“Susan. Who the hell's Susan.” said Michael.

“I am.” said Susan, “and you are?”

“I am Michael Wellbeloved.” said Michael.

“Yes. I remember you.” said Susan.

“I should be Santa...” Michael started.

“You are the elf who was sacked last year for turning up late and drunk, and then threw up on the Mayors granddaughter.” said Susan.

“That spoilt brat. She deserved it.” said Michael.

“No. She didn't deserve it, she'd spent the last year in and out of hospital and deserved a treat, just like all the children who come to Santa's Grotto. That is why we sacked you and told you never to come back here.” said Susan.

“I didn't think you meant it. I just thought it was a heat of the moment thing. Won't you reconsider.” Michael said sounding a little less sure of himself.

“I might have done, in the spirit of Christmas, but it smells like you've had some of that already, and I'm not impressed. So. Leave now or I will call the security men to escort you out of the building.” said Susan.

“You can't do this to me. I want to speak to David Brown. He's the one who employs me. I want to speak to him not some jumped up little school girl.” Michael shouted.

“You could speak to him, but unfortunately my Father is no longer with us. He had a nervous breakdown after that fiasco last year. He went out on a limb to employ you and that is how you repaid his faith in you.” said Susan, struggling to keep her temper.

“Look if I could just talk to him I'm sure this misunderstanding can be ironed out.” Michael insisted.

“No you can't speak with him.” said Susan.

“What do you mean by that.” asked Michael.

“You brought shame on Santa's Grotto. It became a laughing stock, my Father couldn't take it he walked out that evening and hasn't been seen since.” said Susan.

“Well, that was his choice. Nothing to do with me. I expect to get my job back. I'm leaving now.” he said looking at the security men approaching across the basement. “But this isn't the end of this. You will be hearing from my solicitor and you will regret this.”

“Not as much as I'd regret employing you.” said Susan calmly.

“I didn't think he'd have the nerve to show up here. Not after last year.” said Nicholas, “I didn't know about your Dad, this must be hard for you.”

“Christmas was his favourite time in the store. So much excitement, last year spoilt it all for him.” said Susan shaking her head.

“All the more reason to make it specially magical this year.” said Nicholas desperately trying to put a smile back on Susan's face.

“Well,” she said opening the door to the basement and then she stopped in her tracks.

“Wow.” she finally gasped, “This is what I call magical.”

Susan wasn't the only one to think Santa's Grotto was special, even the accountants liked it, within days of it opening the store was packed. Children and parents alike where happy to queue for ages to see Santa and everyone left with a big beaming smile.

It was Christmas Eve, Santa's Grotto was soon to be packed away for next Christmas when Nicholas saw a little girl with her Grandfather.

“I want to go home.” she said.

“It'll be alright.” he said reassuringly, “Go on, just talk to Santa.”

“Then can we go home.”

“Then we can go home.” he echoed with a sighed.

Something about her reminded Nicholas of the Mayors Granddaughter, so he sent the elves closest to him to get more presents to restock the sack.

“Hello little girl.” he smiled at her, “I can see you've been a good girl this year, would you like to sit next to Santa and tell him what you would like this year for Christmas?”

She hesitated for a moment.

“It's alright.” said Nicholas, “No one is going to be sick on you.”

“How did you know?” she asked.

“I'm Santa.” said Nicholas.

“You're not the same Santa as last year.” said the little girl.

“Well Santa's like Dr Who, he changes.” said Nicholas.

“I think you're better than the last one.” she said.

“We try to improve.” said Nicholas, “And how are you this year, I believe you weren't very well last year.”

“Improving.” she said.

“We'll have to make sure you keep improving.” he smiled.

“ I will.” she said.

“I have a present for you.” said Nicholas with a smile handing over a small parcel which he knew had a diary for the coming year. “See you next year.” he added as he waved her good-by.

“Thank-you.” said the Grandfather as he ushered the little girl away.

“Thank-you.” said another voice by his elbow. Nicholas turned to see what at first sight was a tramp standing by his side.

“David? David Brown?” he stuttered, “Is that really you.”

“Yes. Don't tell Susan I'm here. I just wanted to see little Victoria get her present from Santa. In all the fuss last year she missed out...”

“Dad.” yelled Susan from the other side of the Grotto.

“I didn't come here to make trouble...” he started only to almost knocked off his feet as Susan ran to him and gave him an enormous hug.

“I'm not letting you go 'till you promise to come home.” she said.

“But I've caused so much trouble...” said David.

“Nothing that can't be solved by you coming home.” said Susan

“But...” David started.

“We love you. We want you home.” said Susan.

“I haven't got you anything for Christmas.” said David.

“Christmas is for families. We're not a family without you.” said Susan.

“But...” said David.

“The Boss has spoken.” said Nicholas, “And, I don't want to break the Christmas spell, but the store is closing and Santa's got his Grotto to pack away.”

“It's been magical this year, more so than usual. Say you will be back next year.” said Susan.

“I can't imagine being anywhere else.” smiled Nicholas.

“Now. You are coming home with me. Mum needs you.” said Susan to David, “I need you.”

“If you're sure...” said David.

“More sure than anything else in the world.” said Susan, holding on to her Father's arm and guiding him out to her car.

By Janice Nye