25
The children were wild with excitement. The day of the Christmas party meant all lessons were forgotten; the entire school wrapped in the thrill of what was to come. Salmon did his best in a ragged Santa suit, doling out presents, the false beard constantly slipping down onto his throat, the elastic worn and frayed, but nobody seemed to mind and the laughter grew in volume as the day progressed.
Later, they sat in the Head teacher’s office and drank some sherry.
“You look exhausted,” said Mrs. Winston.
“I feel it.” He stretched his legs out and kicked off the Wellington boots. “Are you going away for Christmas?”
“Yes. Back home, stay with my mother for a while. My brother’s coming down on Boxing Day, so that’ll be nice. He has two children, a boy and girl.”
“Hectic then?”
She smi
