Holiday plans

Ah, I see you enjoyed that! And it's certainly put roses in your cheeks. Splendid!

A fine spirit it is. Not my first choice you understand, but to me, that seems beside the point; it is, after all, your favourite. And compared to some of the things I've had to share over the years, it is nothing short of nectar.

So, do you have plans for this coming festive season? How shall you be celebrating, hmm?

What's that? You're not religious, you say. Why, my dear fellow, what's that to do with it?

Oh, I know that there are many for whom this time of year is about a certain birthday, but I'm talking of a celebration that's far, far older. Look around you at the bleakness of this park, charming though it is.

Those naked trees. That faded yellow-green of the grass. The deadening effect of these meagre hours of daylight. Why, surely it would take a miracle to restore this world to life?

So I ask again; how do you intend to mark this most significant of times?

Oh.

Winter sun, eh? I see. South Africa for a holiday to get away from it all. Oh dear me, no. That will never do. That will never do at all.



Story begins here