LIMITED KNOWLEDGE

AS WE WERE PUTTING OUT

MINCE PIES FOR SANTA

ON CHRISTMAS EVE,

I ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED ONE.

"NO PROBLEM,"

I SAID, PICKING IT UP AND

DUSTING IT OFF BEFORE

PLACING IT BACK ON THE PLATE.

"YOU CAN’T DO THAT,"

ARGUED MY FOUR-YEAR-OLD.

"DON’T WORRY.

SANTA WILL NEVER KNOW."

HE SHOT ME A LOOK.

"SO HE KNOWS IF I’VE BEEN BAD OR GOOD,

BUT HE DOESN’T KNOW THE MINCE PIE

FELL ON THE FLOOR?