CHAPTER 24
When we get back to the main square, after stashing our bags with Rudolph to guard them, it’s quieter than I thought it would be. To be honest, we’d rushed back as we thought Santa would be snowed under but he’s sitting alone in his grotto watching the crowds go by.
“Huh,” Blizzard says. “I thought you’d be busier than this.”
“It’s quiet,” Santa says.
“But the mall is busy,” I say.
“I’ve seen lots of kids,” he says. “No one wanted a photo though.”
“Wow,” Blizzard says. “Is the spirit of Christmas really that dead?”
“I don’t think it’s that,” Santa says. “I’m just sitting here watching people go by, and—look, there’s another one, you see?” He points out a small child hurrying along with his mother, the child carrying a huge teddy bear that’s almost bigger than he is. “That’s the fifth one I’ve seen with a bear like that. And some have been carrying dolls or boxes.”
“Well, people are Christmas shopping,” Blizzard says.
“But don’t you think it’s strange that children are getting toys now? Wouldn’t you think that the parents would keep them until Christmas?”
I shrug.
“Yeah, I kind of see your point,” Blizzard says. “What are you getting at?”
“This has Anti-Claus written all over it,” Santa says.
“You think he’s selling toys?” I ask. “I’m pretty sure he can’t do that, he doesn’t have a traders licence.”
“Oh, I somehow doubt that he’s selling them,” Santa mutters.
“You think he’s giving away these toys for free?” I ask. “Really?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. This could be how he’s getting visitors to his grotto, by offering every child a free toy. I don’t know what the catch is, but this is Anti-Claus we’re dealing with so there’s got to be one.”
“But his grotto was empty just now,” I say.
“We looked like an hour ago,” Blizzard adds. “There was no one there. You think he’s had time to get all these toys and kids in since then?”
“An hour or so is plenty of time to set up,” Santa says. “You know, girls, I fear we may have some serious competition on our hands this year. If Anti-Claus is giving away giant toys, all the children are going to want to go to him. I have nothing as interesting to offer.”
“But you’re Santa,” I say. “People will want to come and see you just for that. You don’t need to rely on some cheap gimmick or giant toys probably manufactured by sweatshops in China to bring children to see you.”
“I’ll sneak over and have a look at what he’s doing,” Blizzard says. “Kait, you stay here and keep an eye out.”
Blizzard walks off and I sit down on the floor of the grotto beside Santa.
“I should have realised he would try something like this,” Santa says quietly, and it almost feels like he’s talking to himself instead of me. “What I have to offer children is nowhere near as interesting to them as a new toy.”
“What do you offer them?” I ask.
“I give all children a Christmas wish,” Santa says.
“Do they come true?” I ask.
“Wishes and belief in something that can grant wishes is so important to children, but unfortunately it’s not as tangible as a giant teddy bear. And working here like this, it’s the parents you have to attract, not so much the children, and the parents are going to be far more attracted to a toy they don’t have to buy for Christmas than a wish that requires belief in the spirit of Christmas to feel.”
“But you’re Santa,” I say. “There’s something about you that’s different. You’re not like all the other Santa’s in the world. Kids can feel that.”
As if on cue, a mother and her daughter walk up to us. I smile brightly and stand up to help them, and Santa stands with a smile and a ‘Ho ho ho’.
“What are you offering?” The woman demands.
“I beg your pardon?” Santa asks kindly. Kinder than I would have been, given her attitude.
“The other guy down the road is giving away toys. What are you giving away?”
“Well, ma’am, I am giving away Christmas wishes. Far more valuable than toys any day,” he winks at the daughter.
“Pfft,” The woman rolls her eyes. “No gifts and charging 50p for a photo. Nonsense. You, sir, need to get your act together. The other Santa has a queue a mile long. We’ll be joining it.” With that, she spins on her heels and storms away, dragging her little girl behind her. The little girl looks sadly over her shoulder as she’s whisked away and she waves shyly to Santa before the mother tugs her arm again.
“She knew you were different,” I say.
“Unfortunately, Kaity, it’s the parents who control these things. And you heard her. Anti-Claus is giving away toys. He has a mile long queue. I’m giving away belief in the magic of Christmas and I have no one.”
“You have me and Blizzard,” I say. “We’ll do something. Try to generate some interest or something. I’ll bring Pippa to see you and she’ll tell all her friends to come too.”
“Well,” Blizzard says as she slips into the grotto. “You wouldn’t believe it down there.”
“Let me guess. Queues a mile long and a free giant toy for every child?” I say.
“Yes, we heard,” Santa says to her. “A very rude woman was kind enough to tell us.”
Blizzard sighs. “There’s got to be a catch.”
“Maybe not,” Santa says. “Anti-Claus is sneaky like that. He’s giving away toys with no catch, just hoping that people will remember and go back to him, but next time there will be a catch.”
“We’ve got to do something,” Blizzard says.
“I’m in,” I add. And I realise that I am in. I really do want to help Santa and Blizzard get this whole mess sorted out.