November 2012
The top of the Christmas tree reached within inches of the ceiling. At the top of the tree the fain, stood proud and serene as she had for the past five years, her tinsel tiara on her head and her slightly bent magic wand in her hand. But five years of being stuffed casually in a black bag on twelfth night with the rest of the Christmas decorations, was taking a physical toll on the fairy and she knew she could not expect the top spot for many years longer.
And thank God for that, she thought; her head ached from the weight of the tiara and as the tree declined in support she had sore muscles trying to keep upright for the twelve days.
As to her appearance she had regrets of the demise of Joanna and her cronies as they were wizards with needle and thread and with their modern sense of design would have had her sequinned and shining in no time.
Trees had changed of course and there were many now with electric wires changing colours constantly and she wouldn't think it made a secure position for her having red hot wires stuck up her back. No she thought she would move on to an old fashioned family where candles were the only danger. As the old black bag was brought out from under the bed she rolled away under the dressing table and waited for Madame to sort out a bag for the charity shop again, it never took long, she bought so many clothes there was a bag at least once a month of items she never should have bought. They were all a size too small; she had of course not enlarged at all, they just didn't allow for proper size changes as they used to.
Fairy was lucky and off to the shop by Thursday. That night she left the basket where she had been placed and mixed with the toys who always played at night. 'Hi gorgeous.' said a voice. She turned to see a black soldier boy. 'I am a gollywog,' he said. 'I don't suppose you have seen a black boy before.'
'No,' she said, 'but you are very handsome.'
'Have you been thrown out as well?' he said. 'And are you coming to the Teddy Bears picnic tonight?'
She was amazed that so many toys had been put out when they became shabby, but it was fun to be with so many new friends. They all returned to the boxes by morning but she didn't mind as it was better than a dark bag.
One day a little girl entered the shop with her mum and, would you believe, she was coloured black well. She saw the fairy doll and said, 'Mummy can we have this dolly for our tree. You said we could have a tree this year didn't you?'
Mummy said, 'I suppose we can afford something, although it may be not too big.'
The lady in the shop overhearing said, 'We have a small tree for sale, it has several ornaments already decorating it and it only costs £1.50.'
'Well alright,' said mum and it was wrapped with the fairy. She was a bit sad though to leave Golly and all her friends. Just before the special day she was in her place at last: top of the tree and up straight and comfortable. She had been dusted and new tinsel decorated her dress. It was lovely to be admired again and she had a great time watching all the children opening their presents. On twelfth night they cleared all the house of decorations and Fairy thought, 'Oh no, the dreaded black bag again.' But there wasn't room in the little house for storage, so the tree, with fairy, was taken back to the charity shop.
Oh the excitement to be back with her friends and Gollie was still there with the teddies and all the other toys. She was so happy.
Well its bloody Christmas and we can afford to get sloppy.