‘True. Okay, I’ll have to climb out your side because I won’t be able to get this door open.’
Izzy opened the door, wincing at the instant bite of the night air. Her feet sank into the snow right up to her knees and she instantly regretted wearing her favourite Chelsea boots rather than the solid Doc Martens and thick tights she normally charged about in.
Ross wriggled his way over the console and out into the snow.
‘Come on then, Captain Scott.’
‘I hope we’re a bit more successful than him,’ said Izzy, starting to flounder through the snow towards the road.
Being taller, Ross found the going a bit easier and he gave her his hand to tug her up the slope.
‘Thanks,’ she huffed as they reached level ground. ‘That was hard going.’
He looked down at her, a wry smile on his face.
‘What?’
‘You seem very calm about our predicament.’
She lifted her shoulders. ‘There’s no point worrying and making a fuss about things when you have no control over the situation. You just have to get on with it.’
‘Not all women are like that.’ His words were softened by his wry smile.
‘Not all men are phlegmatic or as practical as they like to believe they are.’
‘Touché. I was referring to certain women of my acquaintance.’
‘Oh,’ said Izzy, strangely warmed by the sudden admiration in his eyes.
‘You’re independent, practical and you don’t give up or let other people take over, but at the same time you see the value of support and teamwork.’
‘Thanks, I think. Is that a compliment?’ She glanced at him.
He swallowed and she saw his Adam’s apple dip. ‘It most certainly is, McBride.’
‘Oh,’ she said quietly, disconcerted by the funny flip low in her belly.
‘Come on, we need to keep moving. Keep warm.’ He took her hand again and together, heads bowed, they ploughed on, battling against the snow flying into their faces. Izzy kept blinking as flakes landed on her lashes.
Thankfully the drifts of snow blanketing the dark tarmac were easily navigable and they could walk fairly easily, and soon the castle loomed into view.
‘We can stick to the road or cut across this field, which will be much shorter but harder going.’
Izzy frowned up at the castle directly ahead and then glanced at the road that curled away in the opposite direction. It followed the lee of the hill while the direct path meant they’d have to cross the field at an awkward camber. All she could think about was getting home to the kitchen, warming up by the Rayburn and having a hot toddy.
‘Let’s cut across. It’s quite open. Hopefully the snow’s drifted to the edges and it won’t be so deep.’
The field wasn’t too bad and they managed to avoid the worst of the drifts, although Izzy could barely feel her feet now. She stamped them down heavily with each step in a vain attempt to warm them up and was so busy doing that she didn’t watch where she was going.
‘Izzy, watch out.’
But it was too late. She walked straight into a puddle, the water spilling over the top of her boots and filling them. The front door of the castle was only five hundred metres away. ‘God, that’s cold.’ She sucked in a shuddery breath, all her muscles tensing. Despite her feet being so numb, she could still feel the icy water poking at her toes like knives. She gritted her teeth and walked on, the water sloshing with each new step. She closed her eyes, determined not to cry even though every movement was miserable.
Ross stopped. ‘Here, lean against this fence and take your boots off.’
‘My feet will freeze.’
‘No. Take them off, along with the wet socks. I’ll wrap your feet in my scarf and carry you the rest of the way.’
