Not much...

?Not much. thought I?d just relax around here for the day? you say around a mouthful of pancakes. The meal continues in light conversation. When breakfast is done your mother collects the plates and moves to the sink, Laura disappears into the hall. You stand up and start to clear the table, putting things away in the cupboards.

Hands fall across your eyes.

?No peeking.? says Laura, turning you around and leading you back towards your chair. You sit down and the hands are removed. The recently cleared table now holds several presents of varying sizes.

?Well go ahead dear? smiles your mum

?Come on, come on? Laura encourages, practically bouncing in her seat with excitement.

You smile and pick up the closest present, a small box shape wrapped in green and blue striped paper. Glancing at the tag you see it?s from Laura, you look up at her and she grins at you. Opening the paper slowly reveals a brand new ipod.

?Wow sis? you say speechless. She leans over and hugs you again. You proceed to open the other presents, most of which are clothes from your mother, however you also receive some money, a new mobile phone and a few other trinkets. Lastly when all the other presents have been cleared, your mother pulls out a letter and passes it to you. You look at the face of the envelope, in unfamiliar handwriting is your name; it bears no stamp or other markings.

?It?s from your father? your mum says softly. Shocked you stare at the letter.