Murder At Twilight

1. Murder At Twilight Fleur Hitchcock

2. I lock the door and follow Tai and Chris into the courtyard. Chris whistles and his dog, Lady, trots silently out of the shadows. Lady’s a proper border collie, a real sheep dog. She’s trained and obedient. Tai is untrained and only does things for love. Or food. For a few minutes, we walk in comfortable silence, Tai racing in circles around our legs, Lady keeping just out of our feet. The police are still checking the Mini while the front door of the house is open, and people are moving around inside. I can’t see who though. Our feet crunch from gravel to frozen grass. Above us the first stars twinkle. It’s ferociously cold. So cold that my ears hurt even under my hood. I look up at the black shape of Chris next to me. He’s massive, almost twice my height, and very reassuring. All my life he’s been the bear of the estate – large and safe and reliable. I heard a rumour that he might once have been a pub fighter, but that could just be estate talk. He’s always been a part of my life. Just like the river he looks after, I suppose. A presence.

3. Quick Questions • What are the names of the two dogs? • What part of the narrator’s body hurts in the cold? • Where are the police checking?

4. Quick Questions • What are the names of the two dogs? Tai , Lady • What part of the narrator’s body hurts in the cold? Ears • Where are the police checking? Inside the Mini

5. Vocabulary • Ferociously • Reassuring

6. Vocabulary • Ferociously ‘to do something in a fierce, savage or violent manner’ • Reassuring

7. Ferocious – say a sentence

8. Vocabulary • Ferociously ‘to do something in a fierce, savage or violent manner’ • Reassuring ‘removing someone’s doubts or fears’

9. Reassuring – synonym challenge • Consoling • Comforting • Annoying • Heartening • Dispiriting • Cheering

10. Reassuring – synonym challenge • Consoling • Comforting • Annoying • Heartening • Dispiriting • Cheering

11. Today’s Reading Skill • Inference Using clues to form a conclusion

12. How does the description of Chris show that he is reassuring? • What clues can we find? • What does the text say about Chris?

13. How does the description of Chris show that he is reassuring? • He’s massive • He’s large, safe and reliable • The narrator’s known him all of her life Why do these clues show that he is reassuring?

14. How does the description of Chris show that he is reassuring? Chris is described as being massive and large, which shows that he would be able to comfort and protect the narrator. He is also safe and reliable. Finally, the narrator has known him all of his life which would be a comfort to her. Why do these clues show that he is reassuring?

15. How does the description of Lady show that she is trained and obedient?

16. How does the description of Lady show that she is trained and obedient? Acceptable points • She trots silently • She keeps out of their feet How do these point prove she is trained and obedient?

17. How does the text suggest that the story is set in the winter?

18. How does the text suggest that the story is set in the winter? Acceptable points • Frozen grass • It’s ferociously cold How do these point prove she is trained and obedient?

19. When Viv has a fight with Noah, she doesn’t think it’ll be the last time she sees him. But when she gets back from school, he’s nowhere to be found and there are police cars everywhere, lights flashing and sirens blaring.Viv is sure Noah’s run away to get attention. But it’s really cold, and getting dark, and the rain just won’t stop falling. So she sets off to look for him, furious at his selfishness, as the floodwaters rise. And then she finds him, and realises that a much more dangerous story is unfolding around them… Mr Davies has a copy if you’d like to read it