Reblogged from Tangental:

‘What is it, Mum?’ Emily Smith, 14 looked up from her book.

Gilly, her mother, said, ‘A parcel from Uncle Augustus.’

‘Who is Uncle Augustus?’

‘I don’t really know. Someone on your father’s side. Do you remember the man you said looked like Gandalf? At Ben’s funeral?

Emily nodded. She had wanted to speak to him but there hadn’t been a chance on that awful day.

Gilly went on, ‘He said he’d be in touch with a little something.’ She pulled open the letter attached to the parcel.

‘What’s he say, Mum?’

Dear Both. I’m so sorry to miss you this Christmas but I’ve had this curio for a while, waiting for the right home. Perhaps Emily can find out its secrets.

Emily moved to her mother’s side as she ripped off the paper. In moments they were staring at a dark wooden box, two feet square and six inches deep. On one side there were 24 little knobs in 3 rows of 8 but none moved. Gilly said, ‘It’s like an Advent calendar but woith one square missing. She left Emily trying to work out how it opened.

Continue reading at Tangental