The Present “So, son, tell me, how was your day? How are things?” Victor, arriving home from work, lifted his five-year-old son Andrew onto the sofa beside him, tousling his soft, light brown hair. While Mum Pauline prepared dinner, Dad chatted with his favourite—and still only—son. The flat was warm and cosy. In pride of place, between the humming television and the bookcase, a colourful and brilliantly decorated Christmas tree sparkled in the lights. There was exactly one day left until New Year’s Eve. “I’m good!” announced Andrew. “But my friend Nicholas isn’t.” “What’s wrong with him, your friend?” Victor asked. “That’s Nicholas, the one from the next block, right?” “Yes, him,” Andrew nodded. “He didn’t get a present at the Christmas party at nursery today,” Pauline called out from the kitchen, enveloped in delicious roast chicken aromas. “Poor boy… Well, wash your hands, gentlemen, and come to the table. Dinner’s ready.” “How come he didn’t get one?” Victor said in surprise, rising from the sofa. “Everyone else did, but not Nicholas? That doesn’t seem right.” “Yes, everyone got one, but Nicholas didn’t,” confirmed Andrew, slipping off the sofa to follow his dad. “Father Christmas and the Christmas Fairy handed out presents, but not to him. He waited and waited.” “What sort of Father Christmas and Fairy leave one child out?” Victor said, growing irritated as he pulled out his chair and sat at the table. “It’s not their fault,” Pauline shrugged. “I expect Nicholas’s mum either forgot to pay for the gift, or didn’t have the money to spare. It happens. Andrew, did you wash your hands?” “He did, he did, we washed up together,” Victor replied, carefully carving the golden roast chicken and serving it up. “Alright, let’s say she missed the payment. But how could the nursery manager—what’s her name, Mrs. Hawkins?—how could Mrs. Hawkins let that happen, humiliating the poor lad in front of everyone, while Father Christmas and the Fairy left him out?” “Mrs. Hawkins was the Fairy herself,” Andrew announced. “And Father Christmas was our caretaker!” “All the more reason!” Victor couldn’t let it go. “Surely they could have arranged one extra present for the poor boy? Parents could pay them back later. How heartless is that?” “Well, apparently, they couldn’t,” sighed Pauline. “Although, I know I’d find a way to make sure he didn’t go empty-handed.” “And what about Nicholas’s parents? How could they let that happen? Their own son left out?” Victor persisted. “I just don’t get it. By the way—son!” He turned to Andrew, who was gnawing his chicken drumstick. “I hope you shared your present with your friend?” Andrew gave his dad an admonishing look. “I tried, Dad. So did Sarah, Natasha, Alex, and a few others. But Nicholas wouldn’t take anything.” “Oh, proud boy!” Victor was surprised. “Don’t tell me he didn’t cry when he missed out.” “I don’t know… I didn’t see,” the child replied honestly. “What a lad!” Victor said, impressed. “He didn’t deserve to be treated that way.” “Yes, poor Nicholas,” Pauline commented sympathetically. “It must’ve stung.” “I say we set things right!” Victor suddenly declared. He seemed to have a plan; his cheeks flushed and his eyes sparkled. “How?” Pauline asked, dabbing her mouth with a napkin. Andrew looked up expectantly. “Just wait and see!” Victor answered slyly. “Does anyone know which flat Nicholas lives in? Andrew, do you know?” “No,” Andrew shook his head. “I’ve never been to his place. We only play in the playground and at nursery.” “Well, I can probably find out,” Pauline said after a pause. “I’ve got a friend who knows everyone in our building. I’ll call her. But why?” “Just do it. Right away,” Victor urged. “Alright. You both clear the table and do the washing up,” she agreed. “They’re at Flat 35, surname Smithson,” she announced ten minutes later. “His mum is Valerie. No dad. Well, there was, but he left, or maybe she threw him out. Who knows what happened. So it’s just mum and son.” “How do you know all that?” Victor chuckled. “My friend Alice knows everything about everyone!” Pauline smiled. “Seriously though, she’s on the residents’ committee, so she hears all the details.” “Well then,” Victor mused. “Andrew, have you finished your present?” “Not all of it,” Andrew replied with regret. “Mum says ‘too many sweets are bad for you.’” “She’s quite right,” Dad said approvingly. “So, is your gift bag still intact?” “Yes,” Andrew said. “I opened it carefully.” “Good,” Victor ruffled his hair again. “Can you put the rest of your goodies in another bag and give me the original one?” “What for?” Andrew asked suspiciously. But he went to his room, returning with the bright Christmas gift bag, much lighter now. He emptied the contents onto the table and sweets and biscuits rolled out in shiny wrappers. Mum watched for a moment before speaking. “So, my dear men, you’re planning to give Nicholas a present after all? When? And who will deliver it?” “Today’s the best time!” Victor responded. “What do you think, Andrew?” “Definitely! Let’s do it today!” Andrew cheered. “Shall I give him some of my sweets?” “If you don’t mind, of course,” Victor smiled. “And can I come with you?” Andrew asked, stacking some sweets back in the bag. “Well, you already offered to share with him today, but he wouldn’t accept. He’s a proud lad. Let’s try something different…” Victor left the room and returned minutes later… as Father Christmas himself! White boots, red robe edged with white fur and ornate patterns, a hat, a big white beard, staff in hand, and a golden-starred gift sack—though it was empty. Andrew stared in confusion, then asked: “Dad, was it you being Father Christmas last year? And before?” “That was me,” Victor admitted. “Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. You’d have figured it out sooner or later. Once I was asked to play Father Christmas at work, and I did. People liked it, and now for three years running, I do the honours. And I get to bring you and Mum some cheer too. Did you like Father Christmas last year?” “Loads!” Andrew praised. “And it’s brilliant we have our very own Father Christmas now!” He rushed to his dad and hugged his leg. Pauline added a few more sweets, expertly tying up the bag with a festive ribbon. Victor put the present in his gift sack, straightened his beard and said: “So, shall I visit poor Nicholas?” “Yes!” Mum and Andrew replied in chorus. Andrew asked: “Can I come with you, Dad?” “As the Fairy?” Dad smiled. “As the Bunny!” Andrew shouted, running off to fetch his costume from the nursery party earlier. A fluffy white suit, bold ears on his head, bobtail at the back, and a card mask with whiskers drawn under the button nose. “Alright, let’s go. Hopefully Nicholas won’t recognise you,” Dad agreed. “But wear your coat, bunny—it’s still winter out there!” Father and son set off. Pauline struggled not to laugh at the sight of the tall Father Christmas and tiny bunny in a coat, ears flopping, trailing a nearly floor-length sack Dad entrusted to him. Ten minutes later, Victor returned home—alone, and looking sheepish. “Where’s Andrew?” Pauline worried. “Relax, he’s fine. He’s with Nicholas; they’re playing. I’ll fetch him in half an hour,” Victor assured her, wiping his red, sweaty face with the cotton beard. He collapsed onto the sofa in his Christmas costume and said, “Well, you wouldn’t believe it!” Turns out, he and Andrew were the sixth party to bring New Year’s gifts to poor Nicholas that night! And probably not the last. Before them, the nursery manager, Mrs. Hawkins herself, had visited—no longer in Fairy costume. “She was bowing and apologising, making up for missing the gift before,” Victor explained as he peeled off the costume. “Someone filmed the party and posted the video on our town’s website. Within hours, it got thousands of views and the comments were intense!” “Really?” Pauline was surprised. “We must watch it.” “But here’s the most important thing,” Victor said. “It turned out Nicholas’s mum paid for the present—just a bit late. The nursery just scrubbed her son from the list, no discussion, and he was left out through no fault of his own.” “Well, her fault to a point,” Pauline remarked thoughtfully. “But she’s alone, money’s tight. The nursery could have handled it better.” “Yes, but they didn’t, so an innocent boy ended up hurt,” Victor grumbled. “Wish I could tell Mrs. Hawkins off properly!” Pauline lamented. “Such heartless managers shouldn’t work with kids…” “Maybe she’ll be sacked, or maybe she’ll learn,” Victor agreed. “Kids deserve better.” He paused, rubbing his chin. Then looked up at Pauline. “And guess what? Nicholas’s dad even showed up—with gifts and an apologetic head. He was nearly in tears…” “No way!” Pauline’s eyes lit up. Just then the doorbell rang. Pauline answered it—Andrew was home. “Why did you come home by yourself?” Victor asked. “I was meant to fetch you…” “What, am I a baby?” Andrew retorted. “Besides, I got bored.” “How come?” Dad asked. “Because Nicholas’s mum and dad were arguing, then crying. Nicholas and I went to the kitchen, and they were hugging. When he joined them, all three hugged and cried again. It was weird! No one noticed me leave…” Victor and Pauline exchanged glances and burst out laughing. “Well, my dears, let’s have some tea,” Pauline said. “And soon, whoever’s still awake, we’ll see in the New Year. May it be happy for everyone!” “May it!” Andrew agreed grandly.