A series of short stories specially written for Radio 4 by Alexander McCall Smith, the bestselling author of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Each story is set at Christmastime and each features the giving of special gifts.

In this first story, "Motordrome" read by Hannah Gordon, a German widow takes her future into her own hands by making a generous bequest.

Other stories in the series will be read by James Fleet, Trevor White, William Gaminara and Stephanie Cole. They range in subject matter from a hot-tempered Canadian chef discovering humility, to an enterprising former Professor escaping the confines of a compassionless care home, to the dutiful President of an Eastern European country attending to the poor; and not forgetting Cousin Grace who, over a very dry Martini, shares her adventures in love (just the four marriages, so far) with three rapt young relatives.

Reader: Hannah Gordon

Writer: Alexander McCall Smith

Producer: Kirsteen Cameron. Show less