Advent Book Quiz Day 6

Day six of our festive quiz.

Another author and title for you to identify. Post your answer in the comments and you could win a fabulous prize. Closing date for entries is 1st January and the winner and correct answers will be revealed on 3rd January.

'Christmas,' declares Sugar, and pauses. 

Sophie hunches over her copy-book, in the grey light of early morning, and inscribes the exotic word at the top of a fresh page. Even upside-down, and from the corner of her eye, Sugar can see that the 't' is missing. 

'Holly.' 

More scratching of Sophie's pen. Correct this time. 

'Tinsel.' 

Sophie looks to the glittering silver and red barbs on the mantel for inspiration, then dips her pen in the inkwell and commits her guess to paper: 'tintsel'. Sugar resolves to make light of this error, combining humour with an educative purpose: The poor little 't' from your Christmas has gone wandering, Sophie, and blundered into the tinsel ... 

'Mistletoe.' She regrets this one as soon as it's off her tongue: poor Sophie's frown deepens as she must relinquish her last hope of a perfect score. Also, the word unexpectedly brings to Sugar's mind a vision of Agnes's accident: once again, the spade slices through the white flesh, and blood spurts. 

'Misseltow,' writes Sophie. 

'Snow,' says Sugar, to give her an easy one. Sophie looks up at the window and , yes, it's true. Her governess must have eyes in the back of her head. 

Sugar smiles, content. This Christmas that she's soon to spend with the Rackhams is, in a sense, her first, for Mrs Castaway's was never the most festive of places. The notion that there will soon be a day that's guaranteed to be special regardless of what Fate brings is a novelty, and the more she tries to caution herself that December the 25th will be a day like any other, the more expectant she grows.