Jamie thanked him, then headed off to the cloakroom to wrap up for his journey.
Ginny came out of the living room. ‘Will got you doing stuff out back?’
‘No, I’m going to walk to the B&B.’
‘Ooh, you sure about that, chick? It’s cold and there’s snow everywhere. How about you call first? Check she wants to see you.’
‘If I do that, we’ll end up talking on the phone. She deserves an apology to her face and I can’t wait days for this snow to melt.’
‘Okay, if that’s what you think is best.’ Ginny followed him to the door. ‘You mind how you go out there.’
Jamie tugged a blue woolly hat down to his ears. ‘I’ll come back later for my bag, if that’s all right?’
Ginny nodded. ‘Don’t you worry about that. And if you need to stay here any longer, you’re more than welcome.’
‘Thanks for everything.’ He gave a small wave and headed off up the driveway.
Whether he’d be doing the same walk back later was up to Alice. He knew what he wanted to say, but he really had no idea how she was going to react. He’d hurt and upset her, betrayed her trust, and caused friction between her and her mother.
With every step of the long walk, he practiced the words he’d say, but nothing sounded good enough for the trouble he had caused. If she slammed the door in his face, he wouldn’t blame her. Did he even have any right to turn up on her doorstep? It was all such a mess. His mess, as usual.
The snow was deep along the pavements, and in some places Jamie had to walk in the road. No traffic came by, and he could see why. The roads looked dangerous, and the chances of him catching a bus were slim to none. At least the sun was out, even though it wasn’t giving off any heat.
His heart thumped in his chest when he saw an elderly man on the ground outside a cottage along a back road. He quickly opened the small blue gate and sprinted along the pathway.
The old man groaned on seeing someone.
‘Are you all right?’ It was clearly a stupid question, but Jamie didn’t know what else to say.
‘I was trying to clear the path,’ said the man.
Jamie crouched to his side. ‘Do you think you can get up if I help?’ He was no medic so wasn’t sure if moving the man was the best thing, but he could hardly leave him there freezing in the snow. The man’s trousers were already soaked through.
‘I’d like to try.’
With that, Jamie hooked his arms under the man’s and heaved him to a sitting position first. He glanced around to see if anyone else was about to help, but the cottage had no neighbours for a mile or so.
‘How’s that so far?’ Jamie asked, checking for scrapes or signs of bleeding, pleased to see none.
‘My hip feels a bit bruised, but that’s about it, I think.’
‘Let’s see if we can get you inside. Is there anyone in there?’
‘No, just me, son. My wife died two years ago now.’
Jamie’s heart went out to him.
‘My boy is supposed to be along today,’ the man added. ‘I wanted to clear the snow for him.’
‘How about we give him a call when we get you settled in the warmth?’
The man nodded, and Jamie took a deep breath before lifting him to a stand.
‘How you feeling? Dizzy at all?’ asked Jamie, checking him over.
‘I wouldn’t mind getting out of these wet clothes, son.’
‘Yes, yes, of course. Let me help you inside.’ Jamie took the man’s arm, noticing the old fella was a bit wobbly on his feet, and got him into the hallway.
