From SheWhoScrawls: Christmas shopping

"Alright!" Wiggins clapped his hands, gaining the attention of every merrily chattering member of the Irregulars. This was their annual tradition, and every one of them was excited to be there. "We have four gifts to get this year. Mr Holmes, the doc, Mrs Doc, and Mrs Hudson."

One of the Irregulars hesitantly spoke up, pushing her dirty blonde hair further into her knitted cap. "Can't we get a gift for the doc and his missus together?"

"Naw, Lucy, that's cheating!" One of the boys scoffed. "We can't give gifts together!"

"Mrs Doc fixed Tabby," another girl, even smaller than Lucy, said with a frown. "She should get something all her own."

"She never lets us leave without a meal, neither." This boy followed his words by wiping his nose on the back of his sleeve. "She even gave me cookies."

The group broke into clamours as each of them tried to share a story of something 'Mrs Doc' had done for them. Finally, Wiggins shouted, calling them back to order. "We've decided then, Mrs Doc gets her own present. Now, bring out the money."

The crowd parted to let a little boy come to the front, clutching a box to his chest with a beaming smile. Wiggins took the box from him, ruffling his hair. "Thanks, Petey." Ceremoniously, he counted out the money as the others waited with bated breath. When all the money had been counted, he looked up with a smile. "We've got more than last year."

A cheer went through the crowd. As Wiggins began to shout out orders, small groups of them would scurry off to do as commanded. "You five! You're finding something for Mrs Hudson. She likes brooches and fancy teacups, so look for something like that. Over there! No, just you three, not you Jimmy. Find something for the doc. Listen to Rosie, she has good ideas. Jimmy, you're in the group over there, something for Mrs Doc. She likes pretty things, try the markets near Wellington Avenue." As the park gradually emptied out, he turned to the four Irregulars standing in front of him. "You lot have the hardest job of all. You need to find a present for Mr Holmes."

They beamed at him, shivering in the cold night air. "We'll do it, Wiggins. We'll find the perfect present!" They waited for his nod, then scampered off into the night.

Wiggins watched them go, then turned back to pick up the box of money. Once the groups had scouted out some appropriate presents, they'd come back to him, and he'd figure out what they could afford to buy. This year they were a bit better off than the last, partly because of Mrs Hudson and Mrs Watson's determination to keep them all fed, meaning less money needing to be spent on food. Hopefully they'd manage to find presents good enough to thank all four of them for everything they'd done.

A smile broke out over Wiggins' face, and he began to whistle a jaunty tune. It may not be quite like other people's Christmas shopping, but for him, this was the best part of the season.