Brian Bilston: Charity Shop Secret Santa

Denise recognised him instantly. there,
in the Age Concern window - Nik Kershaw,
standing next to a battered Yahtzee box

and a selection of Rebus paperbacks.

No humans had raced to buy him.

He must have been there since summer

for his skin had yellowed as if the sun

had gone down on him many times.

How he'd ended up here was a riddle

but wouldn't it be good, Denise thought,

to get him for this year's Secret Santa,

as she knew Mike was a fan,

and what's more, given the £10 budget,

she still had enough left over

for Get Fit with Mr Motivator on VHS.

Mike could do with losing a few pounds.

Sure enough, the diminuitive Ipswich-born

singer-songwriter proved a real hit,

with Mike unable to hide his delight

when he unwrapped him, saying how

he'd go nicely in between his Howard Jones

and the drummer out of Culture Club,

which Craig from Sales had got him last year.

Denise herself got anothre Nodding Jesus.