A Christmas story

Jo couldn’t wait until Christmas day. Like lots of young children he had never been able to . He wanted to know what presents he would be get .

‘Do you know where they hide them?’ He asked his brother Ted.

‘I don’t want to,’ said Ted who was a bit older than Jo.

‘I want to wait until Christmas day like everybody else.’

‘You’re boring, ’said Jo.

‘You’re impatient,’ Ted retorted, wandering off.

Mum was in the kitchen baking Christmas cake. Jo licked the spoon it tasted sweet and creamy. Yum!

‘You’ll spoil your lunch young man.’ She picked him up and sat him on the work top.

‘Mummy…’

‘Yes.’

‘What am I getting for Christmas?’

‘You’ll have to wait and see.’

‘Whisper.’

No. Now and wash your hands. Lunch will be ready in a minute. He got down and went to the bathroom. All the usual the hide outs had been searched. His parents’ wardrobe, the cupboard under the stairs, even the coal scuttle. That’s where they were last year.

He sat down to lunch with the family. Christmas carols were softly playing on the radio and when he looked out of the window snow was falling.

‘Wanna make a snow man?’ He asked jumping up.

Mother laughed, ‘Sit down. No pudding for naughty boys.’

Jo pouted, ‘what is it?’

‘Apple pie.’

He punched Jo in the arm. “Want to make a snowman this afternoon?”

‘Maybe.’

By three o’clock the snow had settled like white icing all over the front lawn.

Jo and ted put on their boots and coats and went outside. Jo was still trying to think of another place his presents might be.

‘What do you want this year teddy.’

‘I’ll be pleased with whatever I am given.’He shovelled some snow into a pile.

‘You must want something,’ said Teddy patting the heap of snow to give the snow man a fat belly.