He didn’t need twelve days.
“Lads, we need to hurry up,” his father said. “Weather’s worsening and I don’t want to be on top when that lot comes down from over there.” He pointed to the weather in the east and Zack knew what it meant. Blizzard conditions.
They would’ve deterred any amateur walkers from going out today. Conditions were difficult. Walking in the snow was tiring, the ice made it impossible to not think about what you were doing for more than a few minutes and visibility meant that you were having to use a compass to guide your way.
However, they were six of the Severton Search and Rescue Team, so they should be okay. If not, they were in for a hell of a lot of teasing later.
“How far are we from the summit?” Jake said. “I’ve seriously lost my bearings.”
“That’s because you’ve been spending too much time talking,” his father said. “’Bout time you found yourself someone serious instead of dipping your dick everywhere.”
“Dad!” Jake said, sounding just like he had as a sixteen-year-old when Amanda Lafferty’s father had complained to his father about Jake sneaking out of his daughter’s bedroom. Zack had been in her older sister’s just as much, but he’d had the sense to keep his mouth shut about it.
“I had you by the time I was your age. And Rayah. Although we did consider sending her back.”
The banter continued as their pace increased, the snow storm setting in.
“The road’s closed,” Alex said. “The only way of getting back is to walk.”
They were sitting in the farmhouse, his mother lounging on the sofa with a glass of wine, looking like she’d never been away. “Have you spoken to Rayah? Is she driving?”
“She is,” Alex said. “I’ve tried phoning all three of them, but it’s straight to voicemail, so they’ll be at the point on the road where there’s no reception. The police are down there—cars have been abandoned at the side of the road and there’s been a smash. A car’s veered coming downhill onto the other side of the road. Not that I want to panic any one, but I’m going to head out there.”
“I’ll come with you,” Zack said, before Jake or Scott could even open their mouths. He knew not to think the worst. Rayah was a good driver, not that her bashed up four by four suggested that, but that was more to do with her thing for off-roading.
Alex nodded. “I’m waiting to hear what cars were involved, but I doubt it’s Rayah’s. One of the attending officers is Danny Newman and he knows what Rayah’s car looks like. He’d have been in touch.”
He knew what Rayah’s car looked like because he’d pulled her over for speeding twice in three days.
“I’ll come too,” Scott added. “Jake?”
Jake shook his head. “I need to check the animals. Let me know if you need me. I can always get the plough out tonight.”
Alex nodded. “Let’s go. We’ll take mine.” He called for both dogs who came running, tongues lolling out excitedly at the prospect of adventure.
Zack grabbed some of his mountain rescue gear from his car and threw it into Alex’s. It was better to have it and not need it than the other way round. There was only one road into Severton from the Manchester side and it involved a steep descent that would be shut in bad weather, resulting in a long hundred-mile detour. That part of the road was also where there was a complete blackout with phone signal.
Alex took the side roads, the back streets that only a local would know, avoiding the main roads completely. Their plan was to reach the junction of the main road, park up and walk on foot to see what was happening. If people were abandoning their cars, they’d need a lift to get back into Severton.
Scott’s phone rang as they parked. “It’s Rayah,” he said, answering quickly. ‘Where are you?” There was a pause. “Okay. We’ve just parked. Make sure your car’s way off the road and we’ll sort it tomorrow. Yep. Hang on, we’ll come find you.” He groaned. “Bring your fucking shopping bags then!” He hung up. “They’re fine. Just cold and hungry.”
It took another five minutes to locate them, the snow whirling down. Zack tried not to think about what would’ve happened if they’d left Manchester just a few minutes earlier and ended up in what had been a six-car pile-up. Or if Rayah hadn’t been driving. Or if they’d gone in Sorrell’s car. Too many what ifs. He focused on the fact that he could see them, although they weren’t drowning in snow, they were drowning in shopping bags.
“Have you left anything for anyone else?” he said as they reached the girls.
The answers weren’t complimentary to him.
“Good thing I’ve got a big car,” he said. “We’re parked over there. Snow’s deep so be careful you don’t drop a bag—they’ll be no chance of finding anything till it thaws.”
They were back at the farmhouse where Jake’s mum had cooked something up from the leftovers from Christmas. They walked in on a discussion about renovations to the house that Jake’s parents owned and then Zack’s mum’s eyes took hold of Sorrell.
He braced himself. He’d warned his mother when she’d arrived not to be over enthusiastic, not to scare her off, but of course she was overly interested because this was the first of her sons in a long time to introduce a potential daughter-in-law to her. And that was exactly how she saw it.
“Sorrell!” she said, standing up. “It’s so lovely to meet you! Zack’s told me a fair bit about you. Hi Rayah and Keren! It’s been too long!”
“Yeah, I think you’re overdue a check-up,” Keren said, probably not joking. Dee hugged Rayah and Keren, saving Sorrell for last.
“He was all coy when I asked him what you looked like,” his mum said, holding Sorrell’s shoulders and examining her with her eyes. “But you’re beautiful. Lord knows what you see in him. Anyway, I’m Dee and it’s lovely to meet you.”
