Chapter 128: Retail Overload

The February wind is bitter as we leave the school grounds on Saturday morning. There is still frost on the ground because the girls insisted that we leave straight from breakfast. It's not even nine am and we're well on our way up the drive.

Ben and Alex are squabbling about some game they were playing last night. Abby seems to find their behaviour entertaining. Melody is quiet, but she doesn't seem unhappy as she walks beside me. She shivers even though she looks snug, wrapped up in her coat, scarf, hat and gloves. She looks pretty cute with a bobble on her head.

I pull her into my side without a thought for what it looks like or what it means. Right now, all that matters is that she's cold. I rub my hand up and down her arm in an attempt to warm her up. A shy smile covers her face as she glances up at me before looking over to the others, perhaps concerned that they might have noticed. They haven't. They're now engaged in a conversation about the premier league.