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30/11/2008 18:56

THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

I wrote THE LAST DELIVERY a few years ago. This Christmas story won first prize in a competition for a local magazine so I assume at least one person liked it! I hope you like it too. Here is Part I; Parts II – VII will be posted over the next three weeks.
Happy reading and Happy Christmas!

THE LAST DELIVERY - Part I

Donna was exhausted. This was such hard work. For the last week she had been employed by the Santa Claus Courier Service (SCCS for short) who had a big contract with TOYS! (which some people said was short for Trash On Your Shelves!). If she ever saw another baby doll or cuddly bear or computer game or drum kit again, she would stamp on it hard after today. It was Christmas Eve and this meant just two more trips to the factory to collect the parcels of toys for delivery. The weather was really wintry. It was not the frosty, sunny kind seen on Christmas cards either; instead, the wind was blowing a gale and the rain was pouring down.

Yet Donna was grateful for this job. The pay was minimal but along with the other couriers she had accommodation and food as part of the deal. Leaving home a month ago had seemed such a good idea at the time. Life in the countryside was so dull. Yes, it was a comfortable life; there were no worries about having a roof over her head or where the next meal was coming from but . . . Donna was bored with the company of her family – parents who knew nothing except life in a country village and five brothers and sisters who wanted to know nothing except that kind of life. The other youngsters in the village were just the same, every one of them. Donna wanted something different . . .

(Part II will be posted later)

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30/11/2008 19:24

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Cant wait,dryad.Dont leave it too long.

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30/11/2008 21:10

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, nannyconnie - Part II on Wednesday!

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01/12/2008 06:21

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Hi Dryad
What a good idea! can't till the next installment. Love Christmas stories, Billie

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01/12/2008 06:56

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, billie - I'll post every few days so nobody loses the plot (hopefully!).

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01/12/2008 11:07

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Great idea dryad. Can't wait for the next instalment. Thanks.
Rainbow.x

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01/12/2008 11:32

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, Rainbow08 - hope I don't disappoint you!

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02/12/2008 11:06

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Can't wait until tomorrow's episode. Good idea Dryad
Ginnie

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02/12/2008 14:54

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks Dryad !

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02/12/2008 14:55

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, Ginnie - tomorrow you will meet another character; his name is Gobby!

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02/12/2008 14:57

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, Splash123 - I think our posts collided in cyberspace!

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03/12/2008 18:49

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

THE LAST DELIVERY - Part II

Donna’s reflection told her that she was beautiful, well, almost beautiful. She was in good shape, she had lovely, long legs and her eyes were amazing – nobody had eyelashes quite like Donna’s. If there was one fault, it was the size of her feet. Her mother had told her not to be so stupid when she complained but she had noticed her feet were much bigger than her sisters’ (and her brothers’). So, apart from the feet, Donna was beautiful. She thought that she deserved more than a boring life in the boring countryside with her boring family and boring friends; she deserved adventure, excitement and . . . romance.

‘Hey! You! Cloth ears! I’m talking to you! Get a move on!’

The rough voice of the factory manager roused Donna from her thoughts. She had never seen a goblin, though she had heard stories about them when she was younger. He was just like one of those goblins – ugly, little brute. Others must have thought the same because they always referred to him as Gobby. He didn’t like the idea of working with ‘a female’ and at first refused to have anything to do with her. However, he had been so desperate to get his toys delivered that he had eventually relented. ‘Huh! A female! Better than nothing, I suppose. At least she’s a good size. And just look at those feet!’

Donna had felt like stamping on him too . . .

(Part III will be posted at the weekend)

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06/12/2008 00:02

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

THE LAST DELIVERY - Part III

Gobby was the one who gave the couriers their instructions and loaded each team of six with parcels. Most of the couriers were just as unfriendly. Only Rudi was kind. In fact, Rudi was lovely. Tall, dark and handsome – every girl’s dream. The only imperfection was his nose which was a bit odd – a bit shiny and a bit red. Maybe the poor boy had a cold. The other couriers joked about it and sometimes called him names. In Donna’s opinion they were nothing special. Take that Vic, for example. The colour of his hair was bright orange, exactly the same colour as the carrots they had for supper every night.

Donna was always in the same team as Rudi. This meant she saw him at the factory when they collected their parcels for delivery. As they set off on their journey, they started very slowly, because the road from the factory was narrow and steep. It was then that she would have a really good look at him. She thought she had caught him looking at her once or twice. She wasn’t sure but fluttered her amazing eyelashes just in case. He did seem rather shy and quiet. She hoped that the nasty remarks of the other couriers had not upset him. She would like to stamp on them too, especially that lout Vic . . .

(Part IV will be posted on Tuesday)

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07/12/2008 19:46

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Just to let you know Dryad that I'm really enjoying the story so far and looking forward to the next installment. Billie

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07/12/2008 21:43

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, billie - almost half way through the story now!

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09/12/2008 17:57

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

THE LAST DELIVERY - Part IV

The six couriers were ready to start the journey now. All the parcels were loaded. They set off from the factory in pairs; today Rudi and Donna were in front. It was 3 o’clock. Already it was growing dark and the weather was changing. The rain had given way to sleet and occasionally there were flurries of snow. Suddenly there was a crash from behind. Two of the couriers had skidded on the icy surface of the road. It looked like Vic and his pal Dan. Donna wondered about their extended lunch break and whether they were fit for their journey. Rudi seemed as much in control as ever; he was too sensible to play their stupid drinking games.

By six o’clock Donna felt really sorry for herself. She was exhausted before the previous trip and twice as exhausted now. She was also very cold and very hungry and very sad. In all the towns she visited to deliver the toys there was a holiday atmosphere – festive spirit, she supposed. Every house seemed cheerful with the lights of Christmas trees sparkling in the windows. Sometimes she caught a glimpse of presents in brightly coloured piles (delivered by SCCS, no doubt) and she heard the sound of carol singing. She even noticed delicious smells of mince pies wafting from the kitchens. Donna knew she had no part in any of this . . .

(Part V will be posted on Friday)

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12/12/2008 17:59

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

THE LAST DELIVERY - Part V

Where would Donna be tomorrow, Christmas Day? Would she go home? No, this was not an option. It wasn’t just a question of injured pride. If she returned to the village, she would be back where she started. It had taken a lot of courage to leave. If she returned, she knew she would be there for ever more. She was crying now. Some girls look especially beautiful when they cry. Donna didn’t (despite the amazing eyelashes). She tried to hide her tears but Rudi noticed. In fact, Rudi had been watching her all day and sensed that something was wrong.

Then Donna poured out the whole story, the story of her life, and Rudi listened. What is more, Rudi understood. It turned out that he too had left his boring family and boring friends in a boring village in the boring countryside but, unlike her, he had devised a plan. It was always his ambition to work for the Santa Claus Courier Service (to quote Rudi’s words ‘that’s where the action is’) and now he worked for Mr C all year round. Donna (who hoped that he didn’t think that she was boring too) was intrigued by his story and, to be honest, a little puzzled . . .

(Part VI will be posted on Monday)

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13/12/2008 17:43

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Really enjoying this Dryad and honestly can't guess the ending. Unless of course ................
Ginnie

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14/12/2008 12:53

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Hi

Im looking forward to the next installment, what a lovely christmassy story!!

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14/12/2008 18:10

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, Ginnie and Tina - hope you both enjoy the ending!

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15/12/2008 17:14

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

THE LAST DELIVERY - PART VI

Then Rudi explained something that not many people know. In December the work for the Santa Claus Courier Service is very hard; there are lots of parcels to deliver to lots of places. The boss, Mr C, realises this and allows his staff to rest for the other eleven months of the year. Mr. C, himself is very busy (and Mrs. C too, apparently). Their job is ‘planning’. They decide who will receive presents at Christmas time and (most important) what presents they deserve to receive.

According to Rudi, Mr C is a really nice old man. Rudi was sure that he would give Donna a permanent job, including, of course, accommodation and food, if he put in a good word for her. Apparently Vic and Dan were to have the sack, though they didn’t know this yet; they had been unfit to work on more than one occasion. So, Rudi sorted out Donna’s problems and it wasn’t difficult to work out why he was so pleased with himself (and, yes, he had noticed those eyelashes) . . .

(Part VII, the final part, will be posted on Thursday)

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18/12/2008 17:58

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

THE LAST DELIVERY - Part VII (the final part)

After a short rest and a few carrots, Donna and Rudi set off for the final trip on Christmas Eve. As usual for the last run, Mr Santa Claus drives the sleigh. It is snowing heavily and there is some problem with visibility but Mr C is a very experienced driver and not too worried . . . yet. Donna is now happy and pulls the sleigh, with Rudi at her side and the other reindeer behind. Together they run and then fly through the air, climbing steeply. ‘Rudi is my hero’, she says. Little does she realise that after tonight’s trip Rudolph will be everyone’s hero. But that’s another story.

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18/12/2008 19:29

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Really enjoyed that Dryad. I hope you are doing another one. It was very clever.
Just want to wish you a very happy christmas
Ginnie

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18/12/2008 21:13

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, Ginnie. I wish you a very happy Christmas too!

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18/12/2008 22:28

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

I have just caught up with the last two installments Dryad and have really enjoyed your story.Thanks a lot and have a very good Christmas.Look forward to speaking to you in the New year.

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19/12/2008 06:34

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, nannyconnie. Happy Christmas!

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19/12/2008 07:29

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Love! stories with happy endings. Thanks Dryad and Lots of Lovely Christmas Wishes to you and a Happy New Year.

Keeeeep! Posting Love Billie

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19/12/2008 07:43

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, billie. Best wishes for Christmas and 2009!

PS Do you watch Strictly Come Dancing by any chance?!

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21/12/2008 17:25

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Hi dryad,

Have only just caught up with the story today as haven't been on for days. Lovely, cheery, christmasy story. Well done.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and look forward to future stories.
Rainbow.x

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22/12/2008 11:58

Re: THE LAST DELIVERY - a Christmas story by dryad

Thanks, Rainbow,

On Christmas Eve don't forget to leave out some carrots as well as the mince pie and glass of sherry!

Happy Christmas!

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