So what do you buy a complete stranger for Christmas? As luck would have it, I found a good leather toiletry bag with nice-smelling soaps and creams. I found a little Christmas bear that repeated everything you said in the cutest voice. I also bought some chocolate-covered nuts and fruit, a large mug with cookies in it, and a couple of other bits and pieces. I was getting excited. Bring on Christmas! Some of the girls commented that I was crazy for spending money on him. They just didn't get it. Before meeting him, I felt a rush of nerves start to come in. Apparently it wasn't just me, either; he sent a text saying he was across the road and having a beer to settle his nerves. As I read his text, I thought, "Don't you dare change your mind after I gave up Christmas with my kids." He sent another text again at 2pm, saying he was outside. As I opened the front gate, he walked over to greet me. He was in his late 50s, the same height as me when I'm not wearing my heels, and a trendy dresser, neat and tidy. I walked straight up to him, smiled, gave him a big hug, said how nice it was to finally meet him. A lingering smell suggested he was a heavy smoker. Bruce collected my luggage and put it in the back of the car. He opened the door for me and, upon seating himself, said, "What a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect." I patted his leg and smiled.

As we were driving, I put my arm up the back of his seat and gently tickled his neck with my fingers. Pulling up in front of the hotel reception, we climbed out, entered the building and checked in. I put my arm around his waist and he gave me a smile and a squeeze. I loved my job. I loved making people happy, and this happy chappy was going to have the best Christmas of his life. Not long afterwards, we headed to our room, a standard studio suite with a nice bathroom, full-size bed, and the perfect table to put a Christmas tree on. I playfully said, "Look what I have." I pulled out the small Christmas tree and decorations. He beamed, shaking his head. I held up a Christmas stocking: "I think this is for you." I could see the emotion creeping into his face. I couldn't wait for the morning to see the expression on his face when he opened his presents. He was already behaving like an excited child. He grabbed me, giving me the biggest bear hug. "Thank you, Tara." This was what I loved; these comments and gestures were what I worked for. Bruce went to have a shower and I made use of the alone time to sort out the stocking fillers. I placed the stocking back near the Christmas tree, the stocking fillers under the bed, and his presents from me behind the curtain. Bruce came out of the shower and asked me what I was smiling about. I looked up. "Santa comes tonight." I jumped off the bed and went for a shower, slipping the "Santa's little helper" outfit into my robe.

After I had dried myself off, I carefully put my outfit on. A cute little Santa dress, stockings, suspenders, and black heels, all covered over by my robe and tucked away out of sight. Bruce was on the balcony. "I can't believe I still have a dozen beers left and nearly a full packet of smokes. They would usually be gone by now," he said, smiling. "That's great," I replied. "See, you don't need them." "Not today I don't," he said. "Ready to go in? I have a surprise for you," I said with a cheeky smile.

He followed me into the room and sat on the bed. Taking off my robe, I said, "I'm Santa's little helper, here to see if you're a good boy or a naughty boy." He grinned and looked shy. Moving a step closer, I gave him a big hug, putting my hands up under his shirt and squeezing tight. He was a lovely guy and it was a pleasure to spend time with him. Bruce was a gentleman in every sense of the word. To be honest, it was very rare to have a client who wasn't respectful or nice. Your typical Aussie blokes they were my favourites – salt of the earth, a little rough around the edges. I took a step back and lifted my Santa outfit up over my head. "Merry Christmas, Bruce," I said, smiling. "I am the first ho of Christmas. Have you been a naughty boy?" "Very naughty," he said.

We spent an hour being naughty, then lay contentedly in each other's arms. What was wrong with giving someone beautiful memories and the company they craved? You may think it was an illusion. For Bruce, it was the best time in a long time and I was so happy to be part of that. We snuggled up together, enjoying the comfort of the bed and each other. He was telling me how lonely it got for him, and how the couple of attempts he had made with girlfriends hadn't worked out, and how he'd put it all in the "too hard" basket. He talked of his passion for cars and how he loved the time he spent with his son. We chatted away for a couple of hours before I was so tired I fell asleep. Waking up before Bruce, I quietly filled his Christmas stocking and placed his presents under the tree. I lay there patiently waiting for him to stir. As soon as I felt movement, I sang, "Santa's been, Santa's been." He got his bearings as I made him a cup of tea and myself a cup of coffee. "What have we got here?" he said, pulling out the items. I was so excited; I loved it. "Look," he said, holding up the large mug, "I'll only need one cup of tea with this."

"Here," I said, taking the cup. "I'll make you a tea in it." He had a massive smile on his face. I watched him as he rummaged through his Santa bag. Priceless. By the time I brought the mug of tea over, he had everything laid out. I gave him his first present, the toiletry bag. "Merry Christmas, Bruce." His eyes grew wider and so did his smile. He shook his head. After he opened it, he said, "Out of a million things you could have got, this is what I need the most." "Come on, there's more." I was so happy. I gave him the teddy next and said, "Merry Christmas," which the little teddy repeated in a cute voice. Bruce burst out laughing and started talking to the teddy, saying all sorts of funny things. His smile was huge, just like a kid at Christmas. "I didn't get you anything." "This is your Christmas, you didn't have to."