A SUSPICIOUS INVITATION

Ellis stared dubiously at the gift basket sitting proudly on his study desk. It was a lavish arrangement of gourmet snacks, fine wine, and an assortment of expensive sweets. A note was attached, written in Marcus’ daughter’s writing. Though he wasn’t close with his new niece, so he didn’t identify her writing, he only knew it was her because she wrote her full name underneath the note.

‘Dear Uncle Ellis,

This is a token from my brother and I. We hope you enjoy these tokens of our affection. We want to put the past behind us and start anew as a family. We know that none of us have really been welcoming, but it is only due to the circumstance by which you were added to our family. We wish to make amends for our previous behaviour towards you. Please accept our invitation to an outdoor dinner this Saturday evening.

Jackie and Sean.’

Ellis frowned deeply. Marcus's children had never shown the slightest interest in him before. In fact, their disdain for him had transferred from their fath