A Sprinkling of Christmas Magic.

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="c921">A sudden loud crash jerked her from her reminiscing and back into the present moment. Much to his horror a passing waiter had dropped a tray of crockery onto the black and white tiled floor and she watched as he hurried off to get a brush and pan. She looked at the broken pieces of white chinaware lying scattered across the floor. “Just like my hopes and dreams” she thought finally acknowledging that another whole year had passed and she was no closer to meeting Mr Right or knowing if he even existed. “Merry Christmas” she muttered a little sadly under her breath and carried on sipping her tea. “And a very Merry Christmas to you too madam” she heard a man’s voice, deep and strong, very correct almost regimental sounding. She looked around but could see no-one nearby who resembled the handsome image she had created for herself in her own mind. She reached for another gooey chocolatey delight from the cake stand on the table and continued to distract herself by considering all the things she loved most about Christmas. She had always loved the magical celebrations as a child and remembered fondly the first time she had left carrots and a mince pie out for Santa and his reindeer and seen her presents under the tree. She had loved waking early on Christmas morning to a bulging stocking at the end of her bed and coming downstairs to open the tree presents with her parents happily watching on. The happy memories brought a smile to her face. “You look so pretty when you smile” said the voice. “Why thank you!” she found herself responding much too quickly because they were such kind words from a stranger which instantly lifted her spirits and made her feel better. Again, she spun round trying to make out where the voice was coming from and who it could be but still no-one was there. She guessed it must be the waiter sensing her mood and trying to cheer her up a bit. She was grateful and also amused. She probably did look a bit odd sitting there all alone, especially as the Festive Afternoon Tea was for two. She just couldn’t bring herself to cancel the reservation, although she hadn’t known for sure if she would even attend until this morning.</p><p id="177a">“Are you waiting for someone madam?” came the voice again. “No, it’s just me this year” she replied, “and I feel okay with that now. Maybe next Christmas I will not be here alone.” She was glad of the conversation and didn’t mind if the waiter wanted to stay hidden behind his pillar. She liked his voice, he sounded strong and kind. “Where are you from?” she asked recognising from his accent that he too wasn’t native to the city. “You must be far from home and missing your family at this special time of year?”</p><p id="4557">“Indeed I am madam but I am here and always at the ready to spread Christmas cheer to anyone who may need it and, today, I am very happy to be of service to you”. “You are very kind, thank you” she said. “You have certainly helped bring some magic back into my Christmas. I’m Angelika, what’s your name?” “I am Georges madam and I truly hope you will have the most magical Christmas ever.”</p><p id="29d2">It was only then that she noticed the perfectly painted Nutcracker decoration which was dangling from the side of her cake stand. He seemed to be staring straight at her and smiling. The breeze from the open door was just enough to

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cause him to sway gently from side to side as though he was marching quite happily in time to the beat of the piano and on some special mission to bring joy. She smiled because he quite simply had but also because she was certain he had just winked at her.🎄</p><p id="b59c">I wrote this story in a timed session during a creative writing workshop I was lucky to join with a famous Thai author. We had to use something specific which we could see in the room as a prompt. I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful Christmas.</p><p id="f92e">© Kerry Jane Rider</p><p id="1147">All rights reserved</p><p id="c432">20th December 2021</p><p id="5613">You may also like these stories and poems:</p><div id="a48f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/gaby-and-alex-the-story-behind-the-story-b02005810b9c"> <div> <div> <h2>Gaby and Alex: The Story Behind The Story.</h2> <div><h3>versification**….Gaby and Alex — a story of feminine friendship and fate…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*rpbv8OO0QvtFJ6Eq)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="128d" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/healing-6b64fdeac168"> <div> <div> <h2>Healing.</h2> <div><h3>a poem…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*Z0DMWuwm3QEOdHfa)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="fc37" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/love-68e3ab4dffe6"> <div> <div> <h2>Love.</h2> <div><h3>a Shadorma* ….</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*X_ingITF2G0efGsm)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="e194" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-ferry-tale-b5d0cefe56a5"> <div> <div> <h2>A Ferry Tale.</h2> <div><h3>once upon a time in Death and Life…….</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*3ii2sk7RETC5KrCh)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="87a4" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/emotions-ebefd24273dc"> <div> <div> <h2>Emotions.</h2> <div><h3>A Haiku poem</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*ttG3JwtEcmMvYNwG)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

A Sprinkling of Christmas Magic.

a festive short story…

🎄Georges de Brigande found himself just hanging around in the very nice Lobby Lounge of The Peninsula Hotel, Bangkok on the afternoon of Christmas Eve 2019. There are certainly worse places he could have been and indeed had been in his past and he was happy to simply wait and take in everything that he could see and hear from his table. His view was somewhat hampered as he could only see directly across the lounge but he had a wonderful view of the enormous twinkling Christmas tree and the black baby grand piano. All of the tables were beautifully laid up complete with every little detail ready to welcome guests for the Festive Afternoon Tea. He cut a dashing sight with his smart claret jacket, black handlebar moustache and goatee beard trimmed to perfection. His matching black belt and boots were polished to a shine and he felt as ready as he ever had for action. Christmas had always been a magical time of year for him and this year was no exception. He was filled with excitement as he sensed the room beginning to buzz with collective goodwill. However, all he could do for now was wait and watch.

Angelika Hughes arrived promptly at 3pm as she had done last year, because she didn’t want to miss a moment of the magic, and looked around her at the families, groups of friends and couples who had already gathered and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their magnificent tea stands. She was shown to her table right across from the enormous Christmas tree which took pride of place in the centre of the lounge and shimmered as the lights reflected off the range of tiny to huge gold and silver baubles. The pianist gently played seasonal jazz tunes while the people talked and laughed together enjoying each others’ company. They were a welcome distraction for her as she took the first sip of her jasmine-scented Oolong tea from a fine bone china cup. She had enjoyed the ambience of this festive afternoon so much last year that she had decided to come again but this time she was alone. She hoped it wouldn’t be too overwhelming and might actually lift her spirits. A little sprinkling of Christmas magic was just what she felt she needed after her badly timed break up with Ed.

She was enjoying the lavish beauty and comfort of her surroundings but felt a bit uneasy as though someone was watching her or as if something unusual might happen at any moment. She had what people call a ‘sixth sense’ and as a result had experienced many seemingly unexplainable things throughout her life. Ed had given that as one of the reasons for his sudden departure from her life two weeks earlier. ‘Some people just refuse to open their hearts and minds’ she thought wondering if she was better off without him.

A sudden loud crash jerked her from her reminiscing and back into the present moment. Much to his horror a passing waiter had dropped a tray of crockery onto the black and white tiled floor and she watched as he hurried off to get a brush and pan. She looked at the broken pieces of white chinaware lying scattered across the floor. “Just like my hopes and dreams” she thought finally acknowledging that another whole year had passed and she was no closer to meeting Mr Right or knowing if he even existed. “Merry Christmas” she muttered a little sadly under her breath and carried on sipping her tea. “And a very Merry Christmas to you too madam” she heard a man’s voice, deep and strong, very correct almost regimental sounding. She looked around but could see no-one nearby who resembled the handsome image she had created for herself in her own mind. She reached for another gooey chocolatey delight from the cake stand on the table and continued to distract herself by considering all the things she loved most about Christmas. She had always loved the magical celebrations as a child and remembered fondly the first time she had left carrots and a mince pie out for Santa and his reindeer and seen her presents under the tree. She had loved waking early on Christmas morning to a bulging stocking at the end of her bed and coming downstairs to open the tree presents with her parents happily watching on. The happy memories brought a smile to her face. “You look so pretty when you smile” said the voice. “Why thank you!” she found herself responding much too quickly because they were such kind words from a stranger which instantly lifted her spirits and made her feel better. Again, she spun round trying to make out where the voice was coming from and who it could be but still no-one was there. She guessed it must be the waiter sensing her mood and trying to cheer her up a bit. She was grateful and also amused. She probably did look a bit odd sitting there all alone, especially as the Festive Afternoon Tea was for two. She just couldn’t bring herself to cancel the reservation, although she hadn’t known for sure if she would even attend until this morning.

“Are you waiting for someone madam?” came the voice again. “No, it’s just me this year” she replied, “and I feel okay with that now. Maybe next Christmas I will not be here alone.” She was glad of the conversation and didn’t mind if the waiter wanted to stay hidden behind his pillar. She liked his voice, he sounded strong and kind. “Where are you from?” she asked recognising from his accent that he too wasn’t native to the city. “You must be far from home and missing your family at this special time of year?”

“Indeed I am madam but I am here and always at the ready to spread Christmas cheer to anyone who may need it and, today, I am very happy to be of service to you”. “You are very kind, thank you” she said. “You have certainly helped bring some magic back into my Christmas. I’m Angelika, what’s your name?” “I am Georges madam and I truly hope you will have the most magical Christmas ever.”

It was only then that she noticed the perfectly painted Nutcracker decoration which was dangling from the side of her cake stand. He seemed to be staring straight at her and smiling. The breeze from the open door was just enough to cause him to sway gently from side to side as though he was marching quite happily in time to the beat of the piano and on some special mission to bring joy. She smiled because he quite simply had but also because she was certain he had just winked at her.🎄

I wrote this story in a timed session during a creative writing workshop I was lucky to join with a famous Thai author. We had to use something specific which we could see in the room as a prompt. I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful Christmas.

20th December 2021

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