Molly was stood in line for Santa in the Westfield's. She was with the youngest 4 of her siblings. She was praying nobody would think they were hers. This wasn't her idea of fun. She had planned on being alone as she needed to get a Christmas present for Charles but her mum had palmed the kids on to her last minute.

The 3 oldest of the bunch were starting to get restless and started to push and shove each other. Then baby martin began screaming. They had been stood in line for over 45 minuets and only moved several feet. Molly sighed she hated the crowds that Christmas brought and she just wanted to be alone.

When they eventually made it to the front of the line they were greeted by a over enthusiastic elf. Dressed in the typical elf dress and had bright rosy painted cheeks.

"well HI! There who do we have here" the elf smiled. It was a fake smile that was from ear to ear

Molly smiled back through gritted teeth. There was one thing she hated more than Christmas shopping and that was people being fake and plastic. Why was this girl so cheerful, the centre was heaving they were playing the same cheesy Christmas song over and over again; molly had heard Slade about 5 times since lining up for the grotto. She was getting a thumping headache and she still had to get something for mum with them.

They were eventually let in to the grotto. It was a smallish room decked up to look like a log cabin. Santa was sat in a old fashioned armchair next to a painted log fire.

"well hohoho who do we have here" Santa cheered.

All of the children spoke at once and all got louder and louder to be heard over their siblings. Even the martin started to shout and babble so as to be heard.

Santa laughed. "ohh I cant hear if you all talk at once now lets start one at a time."

Molly grimaced as the children recalled their lists to Santa. All of the things they wanted were the latest gadgets and gizmos, must have toys and designer clothing. All stuff she knew her parents wouldn't be able to get. Thankfully the Santa made no promises and said he would do what he could. Then he handed them their wrapped gift and posed for the photo. Molly was hoping for a nice one as they didn't really have one as one of the kids never looked as they were being teased by another, and this was another one of those. The 3 kids were in a argument and all looking angry faces and martin had is finger stuck up his nose. She had to stick with that as they wouldn't take another one. She got them in the cheapest thing she could witch was a set of key-rings so she managed to have one for herself , one for nan and one for her parents. She was left feeling even more underwhelmed as it had cost a bomb for them to go in, she had to pay a lot for the photos and then the gift they were given just looked like they were from the pound shop.

Once outside the grotto all of the children started to shout and argue once again.

"molly I am hungry" they moaned

Molly sighed " look we need to get mums present today cuze I'm not going to have time to take you. So we will go get that then go get a McDonalds" she pushed martin on ahead and the others followed moaning and dragging their feet.

They managed to get a nice set of pyjamas from Primark which he knew her mum would love. Along with a pair fluffy slippers. Everyone finally cheered up when they walked in to McDonalds and were eating their happy meals.

Molly opened the door of her parents house relived to be back home. She still had a mountain of Christmas shopping to do but was unable to do it with the kids in tow.

"hiya molls" her mum called from in the kitchen.

"hey mum" molly flopped down on the sofa

"how was the shops. Oh and before I forget your Captain James rang and asked to speak to you. I said you would call back"

"oh right he's not my captain James but it reminds me mum I need to talk to you and dad about somefink about Christmas"

"okay" her mum called not really paying any attention

"your not going to like it but I am spending Christmas with Charles in Bath ..."

She knew her parents would be unhappy about this but it would be a mad house on Christmas day. But she hadn't spent much time with Charles since he had been back from his tour and from what she had heard from 2 section. Her dad hit the roof when he found out. But reluctantly came to a compromise that they would come round for new years.

She finished the drink her mum had made her and headed up stairs to finish packing as she was going down to Charles for the rest of the month till Christmas

hope you enjoy my new story. I have given up on my last one as I haven't done any wring on it in months and I have lost my train of thought on it. please read and review this one