Santa's Daughter

why they should win a holiday to Lapland, and meet Father Christmas. It was an all expenses paid trip.

Melanie thought about it. She still hadn’t heard from her father. She knew that Amanda would be disappointed. So she decided to enter the competition.

She wrote:

‘It may come a bit of a surprise, but I would really like to take my daughter to meet Father Christmas, and win this prize.

Why?

It goes back to thirteen years ago. I used to work as a toy maker, working for Father Christmas. I used to help the elves pack the toys, and make them ready for Santa to deliver them to boys and girls, all over the world.

Then I rebelled. Father Christmas fired me, and dropped me off at the train station. Since having my daughter, she has always talked about meeting Santa.

I’ve tried writing, but he hasn’t replied. In fact I know the reasons why. I’m his daughter.’

Melanie put the letter in the post.

Ten days later, she received a phone call. It was from the editor of the newspaper.

‘Congratulations,’ he said. ‘You’ve been chosen out of hundreds of entries to meet Father Christmas in Lapland. We will fly you out on the 1st December. There you will be chauffer driven to your accommodation. The next day you will be united with Father Christmas.’

Melanie was in shock. She didn’t know what to say, except ‘thank you.’

The 1st December was only a week away. She wanted to keep it as a surprise for Amanda. She would tell her on the day.

Melanie started to prepare the suitcase. She packed the photograph albums of Amanda. She wanted her father to see his granddaughter as a baby.

On the day, a car had come to pick them up. He took them to the airport, where they caught the plane. They were now on their way to Lapland.

‘Where are we going mummy?’ she asked.

‘To meet granddad,’ Melanie replied.

Amanda was really excited. She didn’t know what to say. All she could do was to count down the hours. Once they arrived in Lapland, a chauffeur driven car came to pick them up, to take them to the hotel, and then to meet Father Christmas.

Father Christmas was standing hugging his wife in the doorway. The driver opened the door of the car, and Melanie stepped out first, followed by Amanda.

‘Hello dad, its Melanie, and this is your granddaughter Amanda.’

Father Christmas took hold of Melanie and gave her a hug. Amanda was so happy to finally meet her granddad.

The rest of the day, they spent sharing memories, and catching up on lost time.

‘I suppose you will be returning back to the real world,’ Santa sighed.

‘No, I don’t want to,’ Amanda exclaimed. ‘I want to stay with nanny and granddad.’

Melanie had no choice, but to fulfil her little girl’s wishes. She stayed with her father, and Amanda just loved being part of Christmas. It was a dream come true.

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