The Wind-Up Santa

Saul hated Christmas. His wife had left him for a two-bit lawyer. She’d taken the kids, the car, all he had.

Everything had to be perfect when the kids visited on Boxing Day. Saul wound up the Santa and thought:

‘I wish that shyster was dead.’

On Christmas morning they found the body, looking as if it had been pummelled to a pulp by very small hands.

The only clue was a tiny black leather belt that lay nearby.

The wind-up Santa had granted many boons: the latest Lego set, a bike, mummy home in time for Christmas.