2 I went back downstairs and found the flashlight and some new batteries. Sitting down at the kitchen table I loaded them into the torch and put a screwdriver in my pocket. Then I noticed the knife rack and, without knowing why, reached for the largest, sharpest knife I owned.
Just then the doorbell rang. I jumped up and went to answer it.
There was no one there. The street was eerily quiet. I listened for a few moments but heard nothing.
Feeling a little uneasy I went back to the kitchen where suddenly I pulled up with a start, letting the torch fall to the ground. The plastic case cracked and the batteries spilled out.
I took a step backwards.
At the table, propped up on the seat where I'd been sitting was the clown marionette. In front of it on the table was the knife. Pointing straight at me. Next to it was a videotape with a large letter 5 taped to the top.
The message was clear. Feeling extremely uneasy now I crept to the table, picked up the tape and the knife,and, after a a short deliberation, the clown. I took everything into the lounge. Then I put the tape in the machine, placed the clown on the sofa next to me and, holding the knife in one hand, pressed play on the remote control with the other....