As she was concentrating on managing the stairs, Sophie became oblivious to the voices coming from the dining room.
At the bottom of the staircase she swung herself around the gnarled banister post and sped across the hallway towards the dining room.
As she burst in through the open doorway, Sophie jumped up to hit the light switch, flooding the room in brightness.
The two men, who looked back at her as she entered, both had startled expressions on their faces.
Neither of them appeared to be Santa or his elves as far as she could tell.
They were both tall and thin, and dressed from head to toe in black.
They both carried bags, but again neither resembled a sack of presents.
Sophie could not help but allow her expression of disappointment to show on her little face.
Without realisin
