"Not us, Grandma. We have another run or two to do with Carl and then he's going to drop us home before the snow really comes down."
"I think it already is," Rosa said. "Is it wise to go into town?"
"I'm sure it will be fine," Meredith said. "We can give it a go and if it gets too bad, then I'll drop you both back at the cabin."
"What about this evening?" Rosa asked. "Wasn't the plan to have dinner together?"
"Of course. I assumed you two would want to get changed, and then I’d send Schultz down to collect you both."
She stood. One by one, the others rose from their seats. They moved around the table, exchanging hugs and kisses with Meredith, Billy, and Rosa, before Rosa gave a last, "Please be careful."
All three girls nodded, but Imogen rolled her eyes. "Mum, honestly, we'll be fine. Stop worrying and have a nice time shopping."
Carl waved from the doorway as the girls headed in his direction.
"Okay, ready to go?" Meredith asked the women.
"Yes," Billy answered. "Let's go and have a wander and then…" She glanced at Rosa. "Back to the cabin to change and warm up again."
"Good job I'm wearing layers." Rosa smiled and followed them both out.
The town was small from what Rosa could see of it through the blanket of snow coming down. They passed a small white church, its unique orange window frames the only splash of colour amidst the near whiteout.
The streets were deserted, shops shuttered against the storm.
"I think everything is closed up," Rosa said from the back seat.
"Hm, I think you might be right," Meredith concurred, peering through the windscreen as close as she could get to the glass. "I can barely see where I am going."
"Then let's turn around and head back," Billy said. "I'm not liking this at all if I'm honest."
"I agree," Rosa said. "Do you think the girls and Carl will have headed home?"
Billy turned to look at Rosa in the back seat. "I think so, yes."
"I hope so," Rosa murmured as she peered into the blizzard.
Meredith gently slowed the car and made a turn, the chains on the tyres doing their job and keeping the car from sliding on any ice that had built up under the snow.
Windscreen wipers worked rapidly, displacing the snow as it landed. The heaters in the car were no match for the temperature outside.
"We'll take the longer route—it should be gritted."
"Let's just take our time, regardless," Rosa said. She caught her lip between her teeth, worry beginning to take over. This was not what she had expected when she'd agreed to this trip.
Chapter fifteen
The journey dragged on, each turn slow and cautious. Eventually, Meredith pulled the car over to the side of the road and let them out.
"You'll be okay walking the last bit?” Meredith asked. “I don't want to get stuck in the drive."
Billy and Rosa both stared out of their windows. The snow was at least a foot deep with the drifts. "Sure, Mum, it's fine. Just…be careful driving up the hill, okay?"
Meredith grimaced. "I'm going to be very careful. I love you both. Now, get in and warm up. We'll see how the weather holds before I send Schultz down to pick you up."
"Alright. Call when you get home," Billy said, then opened her door and felt it pulled by the wind. She stepped out and opened Rosa's door for her. "Let's go," she said to Rosa, snow already covering them both.
Rosa moved forward. Before Billy closed the back door, she leaned down to speak with Meredith again. "I mean it—drive safe."
