Christmas Magic

The van screeched to a halt at the pedestrian crossing and the driver lowered his window, he beamed broadly. He was wearing a Father Christmas hat and 'All I want for Christmas is you' was blaring from the van. The driver called out

'Ladies, please, '

He made a sweeping gesture with his arm to beckon them across the road.. He winked at  Mollie and her curls bounced and shone as she gave a gracious nod and the bells on her reindeer headband shook. Tracey lowered her head feeling herself redden under the gaze of the driver and raised her hand to thank him as they passed in front of the van.

As they neared the kerb a man rushed to help her onto the pavement with the wheelchair. Tracey whispered her thanks and sighed. Being a carer meant everyone assumed she was a good person, only she knew she wasn't. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt good. Probably when she was ten and her Grandma was alive and her Auntie Jo. They were long gone now though and nobody was left who could see any goodness in her. A series of Foster Homes and a spell in an Institution having been caught shoplifting had hardened her heart and made her bad.

  Mollie was turning her head to speak and Tracey leant forward to catch her words,

'Did you see that driver? Wasn't  he handsome? He looked about your age, Tracey.
He reminds me of my Reg when I first met him. Always a one to smile at pretty girls was my Reg. He never tired of letting me know that I was the only one  for him when in private though. I miss my Reg, but I was lucky to have him for so long. He would have loved these antlers you've put on me. Did I tell you about the time ...'

Tracey straightened up and pushed on the wheelchair with her hips. She loved hearing all the stories about Reg but there was a chill wind and she wanted to get Mollie into the warm. they were on their way to the Christmas party in the Community centre. Mollie was the neighbour of one of Tracey's Foster mothers, Briony. She'd come to visit Tracey in the Institution and suggested that when Tracey came out she could train to be a carer.

 Her room mate Chloe had spluttered into her tea when she'd heard,

'You a carer Tracey, They'll be accusing you every time something goes missing. No, there's no hope for the likes of us. We're bad 'uns, give a dog a bad name and all that.'

There was a cold blast of wind and a flurry of snow. Tracey tucked the blanket round Mollie and pulled her scarf closer round, being careful not to ruffle the curls. She had spent all morning preparing Mollie for the party. Setting her hair and ironing her red blouse, shining her shoes and applying red lipstick. It reminded Tracey of playing with her dolls with grandma. They'd both taken so much care dressing and washing the little clothes. At the thought of grandma tears threatened, and she pinched her nose to stop the flow as Chloe had taught her. 'Show 'em you don't care' she'd said, 'That way they can't hurt you.'

As they approached the Community Day Care centre the automatic doors flew open and  a rush of welcoming warm air enveloped them.  Tracey peeled away the layers of warm clothing and then gently drew off Mollie's gloves. The old lady giggled, sounding like the light hearted  girl she must have been,

'Ooh what would Reg say about my nails Tracey? He hated nail varnish, said it was a sign of a loose woman.'

Mollie wriggled her fingers and admired her gold and red nails which sparkled and shone in the light of the Christmas tree in the hall.

A very attractive woman wearing tinsel in her hair came to greet them. She bent to kiss Mollie and held out her hand to Tracey.

'Hello , I'm Elizabeth, the staff nurse here. You must be Tracey, Mollie has  told us so much about you.'

She dropped her voice,

'Well done Tracey, you have made a huge difference to Mollie, it's wonderful to see the light back in her eyes. Please go on through to the party.'

She turned to Mollie and smiled, 'We've got jelly and cup cakes and.. even Father Christmas is going to come.'

An unfamiliar sensation came over Tracey, she looked around half expecting to see Grandma or Auntie Jo. Her eyes met Mollie's and they grinned at each other. Tracey manoeuvred the wheelchair into a corner and went to fill up a plate for Mollie. The little sandwiches, jellies and cakes stirred a memory in Tracey's heart. She remembered holding Grandma's hand and eating things like this and Father Christmas coming and giving her a doll. Grandma and Auntie Jo had told her she was good, a really good girl, the best there was, she was the light of their lives.  She returned to Mollie, her plate laden and knelt down on the floor beside her. She handed her morsels of the sandwiches and wiped the crumbs away, careful not to spoil her lipstick. Mollie's eyes were bright as she looked around the room,

'Reg loved parties, he liked dancing and kicking up his heels. Oh he'd fling me around he would, like a rag doll I was in his arms. We'd spin and twirl and dance the night away. Proper dancing it was, not all this jumping up and down you young people do.'

Elizabeth came up to them and handed them both a glass,

'We're going to have a little toast now. Oh Tracey before I forget Mollie says you have a friend called Chloe and I wondered if she'd like to help us out, maybe in the New Year? Would you like to ask her?'

 She smiled at them both  and moved to the centre of the room.

Tracey couldn't believe it. There were people who wanted her and Chloe to help them. She couldn't wait to tell Chloe, She'd never believe it either, but maybe, just maybe, she could convince her.

Elizabeth went to the centre of the room and clapped her hands, then she rang a little bell.

A hush descended on the room and all eyes turned to Elizabeth.

'There's a visitor now for you and after that we'll have carol singing lead by Tracey over there.'

There was a loud shout of 'HO HO HO' and Father Christmas came into the room. He went round the group leaning down to talk by each chair and handing out a gift from his sack. When he got to Mollie he boomed out,

'Oh HO HO HO' I recognize those antlers'

He handed Mollie a small parcel and then he then turned to Tracey 'And I recognize this little elf with the pretty face,'

Mollie looked up at them, 'It's you, the driver of the van! I never forget a handsome face.'

He beamed down at Mollie,

'I'm Father Christmas' Then he whispered, 'but you can call me Nick.'

Elizabeth was clapping her hands again,

'I'd just like to thank all the volunteers and carers for making this Day Centre such a welcoming and happy place.' She turned to Nick, 'A special thank you to Father Christmas, it just wouldn't be the same without him.'  She cupped her hands round her mouth and said in a loud sage whisper, 'He's really my son.'

There was laughter and clapping, Elizabeth smiled round the room, ' I wish you all a happy Christmas and from all the staff here.'

There was a loud chorus of happy Christmas and thank yous.

Mollie held out her hands, admiring her nails,  Nick bent down to her,

'Mollie please could I borrow Tracey tomorrow afternoon, I need a little helper for the children's ward,' He looked up at Tracey, 'If she agrees of course. Maybe afterwards I could invite her for a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate.'

Tracey realized she was gripping the handles of the wheelchair and holding her breath.  She looked at Nick and there reflected back at her she saw the little girl she had been, the kind and caring little girl that Grandma and Auntie Jo had loved so much. A weight lifted from her and her world tilted, straightening up its course.

Mollie  put her hand on Tracey's arm, smiling at Nick.

 'You take good care of her, she's my guardian angel.'







'

'