You’ll think I have too much time on my hands, but really I don’t!

Here is a short story featuring the Famous Five at Christmas – into which I have added several Christmas song titles. How many can you spot, let me know in the comments!

“Do remember that it’s Christmas Day on Friday?” Aunt Fanny said desperately into the telephone.

“Yes, not to worry, I’ll be home for Christmas,” her husband promised.

“You had better be,” Aunt Fanny warned. “Now, I’d better dash, I’ve to pick the children up at Kirrin Station shortly.

“I do love driving home for Christmas with you all in the pony-trap,” she said a short time later as the four children and one dog sat crowded in the trap with their luggage, all of them in high spirits for the holiday season.

“It would be just like a sleigh ride if only it snowed,” Anne sighed.

“Do you think we’ll have a white Christmas this year?” Dick asked, looking up at the sky.

“Oh, do let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” Anne cried excitedly. “Kirrin looks such a winter wonderland when it snows.”

“It doesn’t often snow at Christmas,” Aunt Fanny said sensibly.

“And have you forgotten that we got snowed in just last Christmas?” Julian asked with a laugh. “We had a jolly thrilling time but it would be nice not to be cut off entirely this year.”

The others agreed, they would be happy for another adventure but would prefer not to be snowed in. “I’d like to get across to Kirrin Island for one!” said George.

Anne was the first to rush into the house when they arrived. “The holly and the ivy look wonderful on the mantlepiece” she cried excitedly.

“Yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in here,” her aunt said with a smile as she took off her gloves. “I haven’t put the Christmas tree up yet, though, I was hoping you four would help me with that.”

“Of course we will, it’s nice to be home for the holidays again,” George said.

Aunt Fanny looked very pleased. “Yes, family is what Christmas means to me, it’s so lovely to have you all here.”

“Ooh, only one more sleep until Christmas!” Anne said at bed-time on Christmas Eve. “We must remember to leave out a glass of milk and a mince pie for Father Christmas, and some carrots for his reindeer!”

“You don’t still believe in all that, do you?” Julian asked her.

“Of course I believe in Father Christmas,” Anne said. “If you don’t believe, then he doesn’t come!”

“I don’t believe he comes if you’re badly behaved either,” Dick said. “Especially if you are as cross and sulky as George!”

“I should have told Father Christmas that all I want for Christmas is you to stop being so annoying,” George retorted.

“No use, he won’t be bringing you anything because you’re such a cross-patch,” Dick teased her.

On Christmas morning Aunt Fanny handed out the presents from underneath the tree.

“What’s this?” Julian asked, shaking an oddly-shaped parcel.

“I don’t know, but what lovely Christmas wrapping it has!” said Anne happily.

“Yes it’s very pretty paper,” Aunt Fanny said, “if you’re careful opening it I shall save the paper and I can use it next year!”

“I wish it could be Christmas everyday,” Anne sighed as the day drew to a close.

“Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” agreed Aunt Fanny.

“Yes, we’ve simply had a Wonderful Christmastime,” the others chorused.

I hope you all have as wonderful a Christmas time as you can given that it’s 2020.