It was Christmas eve and oddly enough it was snowing but not so oddly I was making my way back from the pub. I leaned against a lamppost to get a better look at the falling snow flakes in the lamp light. Down the road, home was still a long way away and I looked back at the way I had come. I laughed to see that some fool had been trying to write something in the snow with their footprints. It might be Merry Xmas in heiroglyphics I thought. A noise behind made me turn just as the lamppost I was leaning against decided to move. I slipped to the floor rather quickly. Next thing I knew a bloke dressed in red was sitting me up against the lamppost which was now back in its original position.

"You alright?" the bloke asked.

"I think so," I replied rubbing my head and trying to focus on the bloke. "You look like Santa," I said grinning foolishly.

"Er.. that's right I am. I'm out er... delivering. Know anything about engines?" he asked. "My er.. sleigh has broken down."

"A bit I replied," unsure of whether I could fix anything right now.

He helped me up and we staggered off to his sleigh.

"This looks a lot like the sleigh the Round Table use," I grinned.

"Er... does it? I expect they're all the same really," Santa replied.

He lifted the bonnet and I peered into the gloomy engine compartment.

"It's probably a fuse or something," I said doubtfully as I sniffed the vague burning smell.

"Oh No! Christmas is going to be ruined," Santa lamented.

"Well I could probably fix it if I had some tools. Unfortunately I haven't got any with me," I replied.

"I might have a few in the back of the sleigh," Santa said cautiously and we went back to have a look. He lifted down a sack and started pulling out tools still in their boxes.

"A multimeter, An oscilliscope, digital calipers, wire cutters..."  I listed the items as he passed them to me. I recognised this list from somewhere. Then as he dropped a BeagleBone AI in the snow at his feet, I looked down and noticed his white trainers. White trainers not black boots and suddenly in a brief moment of sobriety I put it all together. "These things are the Element14 Christmas gifts and you're not Santa ... you're a thief!!!" I cried at the same time trying to make a grab for him but, he slipped away from me.

He snatched at the sack. However, the beer I had consumed suddenly took control of my legs again and I fell on the sack dragging it from his hands. He ran off into the night empty handed leaving me surrounded by electronic goodies. I heard shouting. I tried to focus on the direction it was coming from. To my surprise, Chris Stanton and Karen Corbeill come looming out of the darkness.

"You're a hero! You've saved Christmas," they chorused. They helped me up and between them they lifted the sack. "We need to go and get these delivered. Thanks for stopping the thief," they turned to leave.

"Hang on I have shum more here," I slurred, the beer taking control of my tongue now.

"You keep them for your good deed. " With that they left me holding a few of the gifts.

"Happee chrishmus," I called but they had already gone.

, nicely done.

Thanks I enjoyed doing it.

Thanks I enjoyed doing it.