Nick stood on the street corner in the freezing rain. His soaked beard hung limp on his chest and his hat crept over his eyes. He pushed it away with a sodden mitt. He rang his bell and shouted: "Ho ho ho!" into the cutting wind. People hurried past him, their shoulders at their ears, holding on to their hats: "Get a real job ya bum!"
"Merry Christmas" replied Nick as he rang his bell.
A well dressed lady bustled along the street, juggling shopping bags and a small girl with a candy cane. The girl peered around at the buildings, sucking on her treat as her mother dragged her along.
"Don't dawdle Jenny! Mummy has so much to do." The girl took little notice as she enjoyed the sights of the big city: "Jenny! Do hurry up child or I shall leave you here in the street." The girl trotted along, jostled by the bags of shopping. They stopped at Nick's corner, waiting for the traffic to clear before they could cross the busy street. Nick rang his bell. The girl looked up: "Happy Christmas Santa" Nick smiled at the child: "Happy Christmas Jenny." he said, giving her mother a wink. She adjusted her grip on Jenny's tiny hand and bent close to her: "Come on Jenny Let's go get some hot chocolate and ginger bread. We can shop later."
"Yay!" squealed Jenny as her mother lifted her and hugged her all the way across the street.
"Ho ho ho!" cried Nick as he rang his bell
More tomorrow...
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