‘Are you kidding? I’m not going to miss out on Zara’s first snow day. How often do we get snow like this that we can actually play in? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
She smiled. ‘Thank you. She will love that she gets to share this with you.’
Just then he saw movement out the window and he looked up to see Immy trudging through the snow with a very wet and grumpy-looking Jacob, the snow sticking to his fur in little balls.
Quinn quickly took a step back away from Alex just as Immy came through the back door.
‘Wow, it’s really deep in some parts. I lost Jacob a few times,’ Immy said, stamping her feet on the mat.
‘Zara has a snow day,’ Alex said.
‘I thought she might, the roads are quite bad and so many of the teachers come from out of the area.’
Zara came running back into the kitchen and spotted Immy. ‘I’ve got a snow day!’
‘I heard, lucky you. Oh I’m quite jealous, I wish I could join you for some snow fun instead of going to boring work.’
‘Well, we can make Christmas cookies this afternoon and we’ll be sure to save you some,’ Alex said.
‘Yes!’ Zara punched the air, clearly about to have her best day ever.
‘Well that’s something to look forward to,’ Immy said, giving her niece a kiss on the forehead. She started prepping Jacob’s breakfast.
‘Go and get your coat and hat on,’ Alex said, and Zara ran out of the kitchen at top speed.
‘How was your date with Pip last night?’ Immy asked.
‘I cancelled, I went to see Quinn for a chat.’
Immy stopped what she was doing and looked between the two of them. She must have seen what was written all over their faces. ‘Good chat then?’
Alex actually blushed, which he found adorable.
‘It was averygood chat,’ Alex said.
Quinn laughed, he couldn’t help it. Alex might as well have hired a plane to write it in the sky.
‘Well, finally,’ Immy said. ‘I’ve been waiting for you two tochatfor years.’
The fact that Alex had all but told her sister gave him hope that this was more than the casual arrangement she had agreed with him.
‘And where were you last night, you weren’t here when I got back?’ Alex asked.
‘Well I, umm… had a chat with Xander.’
Quinn hadn’t expected that.
Alex’s eyes widened in shock. ‘Another chat?’
‘Wait, this was the second chat with Xander?’ Quinn asked.
‘Second, third and fourth,’ Immy giggled, turning away so she wouldn’t see their reaction. ‘Although I’m pretty sure the fourth one was the last chat. He has Etta to think of. It’s complicated. Well not for me, but for him apparently. Anyway, I had fun so that’s all that matters. If he doesn’t want more fun that’s his problem not mine.’
Quinn exchanged glances with Alex. He could tell Immy was trying her best to be nonchalant about it but she was clearly a bit hurt by the brush-off. Xander had made it very clear to anyone who asked, especially his family, that he wasn’t looking for another mum for Etta and that he would raise her alone. He had completely withdrawn into himself ever since his wife died, but it looked like Immy had made him peer out of his shell, at least a little. Maybe Quinn needed to have a word with his cousin. Or maybe he needed to keep his nose out of other people’s business.
Zara ran back into the kitchen. ‘I’m ready.’
‘Then let snow day commence,’ Alex said.
