Are you ready to hear a story?

This one's about a little girl who's waiting up for a special visitor.

Santa's secret, white Joanne Cobb.

Lucy was still awake on Christmas Eve night at her past 10.

She knew that she ought to be asleep, but she needed to talk to Santa Claus about something

that was bothering her.

Santa Claus was a very clever man to deliver so many Christmas presents in one night,

so she was sure that he would be able to help her with her problem.

She had been careful not to let herself fall asleep, so that she would know when he came

to the house.

Lucy had an excited, nervous, fluttery feeling in her tummy, and her heart flipped when she

saw Santa Claus at the bottom of her bed.

He placed some presents on the floor, and he looked pleased with himself.

He dipped oared forwards to her bedside table and picked up the carrots that Lucy had left

for Rudolph and the other reindeer's.

Hello, Santa Claus!

She said sweetly, I'm Lucy.

He was a bit startled and let out a, ho ho, squeak, which made her and Santa Claus giggle.

Well, hello, would you meant to be asleep, Lucy?

Yes, but please, pretty please, can you help me first?

I promise that I'll go to sleep afterwards, and won't tell anyone that I saw you ever.

Never?

...