A Santa in Petersfield

Petersfield was playing host to a Christmas extravaganza, complete with a grotto, two Father Christmas’s and a music stage. Previous years had been, frankly, dire, and something had to be done about it this year. It was a good turnout too – I had no idea there were so many people under 50 years old in the town.
I located one of the Father Christmas’s, walked over and marvelled at the magical effect he was having on the children. He certainly looked the part – covered in a big red suit, fatherly spectacles hanging on the end of his nose, shaking all the children’s hands and merrily booming “ho ho ho” at regular intervals. They wanted to hug him, talk to him, get presents for him, and he responded to them all, handing out gifts and making them smile and giving a little magic to their night on the town.
Father Christmas spotted me watching in admiration. I walked over, and smiled.
“Hello, dad,” I said.