‘No but you didn’t complain or moan once. Some people might have made a complete drama out of it.’
Izzy shrugged.
They lapsed into silence in the cosy warmth of the kitchen, each toying with the drink in front of them, as if they both had things they wanted to say but didn’t know how to say them.
‘Izzy … about today…’
‘Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone who you are.’
‘Oh, yes. Thanks. If you don’t mind.’
‘No, not at all. I think I ought to head up now.’ She lifted her mug but looked at his neck rather than his face. ‘Will you be all right to switch the lights out?’
‘Izzy…’ he started again.
‘Night, Ross. See you tomorrow.’ With that she fled from the kitchen. She’d made enough of a fool of herself today. When would she learn?
Chapter Sixteen
When Izzy tugged open the heavy velvet curtains the next morning, she stood for a moment drinking in the magical view. After a good night’s sleep with her feet feeling cosy and warm again, she could look more favourably on the snowy scene. She flexed her feet, toasty in thick woollen socks, banishing the memories of yesterday. The clouds had rolled back to reveal a piercing blue sky and bright sunshine, which made the snow glisten and glitter.
From the little turret she could see for miles out over the loch and to the mountain ranges beyond. Like a thick duvet, the snow had softened the features of the landscape, smoothing away the sharp lines and angles. It crept up to the very the edge of the loch, where a mirror double of the brilliant white and blue sky was reflected.
Running downstairs, she was greeted by Jeanette in the hall who was hopping from foot to foot. ‘It’s snowed! It’s snowed! Have you seen it? Of course you have. Sorry.’
Izzy grinned at her and put an arm around her shoulder. ‘Do you want to go out and play?’
‘Snow day?’ she asked hopefully.
Izzy remembered snow days when the school was closed and everyone bunked off for the day and went sledging. Jim and Jeanette both deserved a day off, they worked so hard. ‘Snow day,’ she confirmed.
‘Brilliant,’ said Jeanette with a big beam. ‘Glad you got back safely. How was the journey?’
‘Now I’m home, I’ll say it was okay, but we had to abandon the car about half a mile down the road and walking in the snow wasn’t that much fun. I can’t tell you how grateful we were for the hot chocolate and the fire and the hot water bottle.’
‘No problem. To be honest, it was Jim’s idea. He’s the practical one.’
‘Never,’ teased Izzy.
‘He’s made you some porridge, with a touch of cream and brown sugar. His speciality. Hope that’s okay.’
‘Jeanette, that sounds wonderful. Thank you so much. I was glad of the lie-in this morning. We didn’t get back until after one.’
‘Izzy! You’re back!’ Xanthe threw her arms around Izzy, her shrill voice echoing around the hall. ‘Where’s the car? I thought you’d been stranded somewhere in the snow and had to sleep in the car and get hypothermia. Or had to walk miles to find somewhere to put you up.’
Izzy smiled to herself. Typical Xanthe, focusing on the drama.
For the second time she explained what had happened.
‘Good. Did you buy me some decorations?’
‘Yes.’
‘Where are they?’
Izzy shook her head in disbelief.
‘Where do you think they are?’
