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Starter paragraph: Christmas by Nick Fletcher

Sally gazed out of the window at the Robins as the snow began to fall.Ìý The steam train that brought her to the Orphanage huffed and puffed in the distance.Ìý She went to bed that night staring at the photo of her father by the bedside.Ìý She wished she could see him again.

The next day was Christmas Eve.Ìý All the children were excited as they were going to sing as a choir.Ìý They were like one big family.Ìý The tree in the hall glistened above the presents as the log fire glowed.Ìý The children sang ‘Silent Night’.Ìý Suddenly the door blew open and in walked a tall handsome man.Ìý He shook the snow off his coat.Ìý Mary the teacher looked stern and stared.Ìý Sally stopped singing: her eyes lit up.Ìý She knew this was going to be the greatest and most magical Christmas of her life.

Chain 1: Carol Wilson

Christmas wishes do come true especially when Santa is so very close and you are really really good. Sally was sure the tall handsome man was her father, but there was something that did not look the same, but what was it?

Chain 2: Helen Dowdy

As the man drew closer he scanned the group of children around the tree. Suddenly his eyes settled on one of the smaller boys, who engrossed in his singing, had not noticed his arrival. Sally wondered why he gazed at the small boy so intently, appearing not to notice her. Then she understood what it was about the man that was different from her father.

Chain 3: Gilly Boucher

The head mistress bustled in and took charge of the situation, taking the man firmly by the arm she sternly said "Please come with me parents aren't allowed in classrooms." He brushed away her arm his face tense.

"I'm here to see someone very special, I've just arrived back from a tour of duty, I received this letter from the social services while in Iraq." Outside in the corridor he turned to the headmistress his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"I've been told I have a child, I don't even know whether it's a girl or a boy."

Chain 4: James

The head took the man to a nearby office and sat him down. He said he did not know anything about this letter or a child but he would find out. He lifted the phone and started to call someone.

The head talked on the phone for about five minutes before asking the man follow him. They walked down the corridor until the head opened a classroom door. He said "Wait here I'll get your child." He walked to the front of the class and said ???