Chapter 5

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The alarm woke Martin at 7 A.M. He needed to make an early start. After taking Toby for a quick walk round the block, Martin began his kitchen duties whilst listening to carols on the radio. Normally Martin would have put in a CD of non-Christmas music, but he really wanted to get into the spirit of the season, something he hadn’t felt like doing since his childhood. Martin tried hard not to build up too many expectations for the day; it would be impossible for the event to live up to them all as it was. But Martin was happy, happier than he’d been in years.

The Brussels sprouts had been rather tricky to prepare, Martin had ended up cutting himself a couple of times. Fortunately he’d had less trouble with the carrots and turnips.

The turkey was cooking nicely, Martin had just basted it, and the ten o’clock news had just come on when his phone rang.

Who on earth could that be?Martin rarely received any phone calls. A cold shiver ran down his spine.