by Ethel Smith

Created on: January 18, 2009   Last Updated: January 13, 2012

Jack snuggled further down into the cosy, warm bed. The alarm was demanding attention but, thankfully, it was not wanting him. He was the lucky one today. The insistent nagging alarm was for Sara and, as Jack turned over to give her a nudge, she was already jumping out of bed and heading for the shower.

Shall I earn some brownie points today, thought Jack, and beat Sara downstairs?. After all, having the kettle already boiled and some heating on, would be a real bonus, on such a freezing cold day. It only took a second for a resounding, no, to be reached. Hell, when all was said and done he only got the occasional lie in. I'll just pretend I didn't hear the alarm, he thought.

Bye Hon, yelled Sara up the stairs, adding a sarcastic, "Don't work too hard today Jack". Just as Jack was rolling back over to enjoy an extra hour or two in bed Sara called, as if by afterthought, "Just make sure that you clear the drive today".

Big deal thought Jack, I can lie in till late and still manage that. Well, just about, he grinned to himself. His snoozing was occasionally disturbed that morning by the sound of the phone ringing, but it did not bother him enough to make him answer it. When Jack finally shook himself out of his temporary period of hibernation it was already past lunch time. Looking at the clock he was shocked to see that it was 12.30 already and that he had slept right through. Still, he had no orders except for the snow shovelling from the drive.

Never a man to volunteer for unnecessary chores, he would only ever carry out specifically requested tasks. If Sara asked him to peg out the washing he would. However, even if it started bucketing it down with rain, he would not bring the laundry in as, he had not been asked to do that as well. Over the years his stubbornness, and unwillingness to play the game, and help out around the home had caused many arguments.

After lingering in the bathroom for longer than was needed Jack headed downstairs. He popped the kettle on, shivered, turned up the heating and walked through the hallway to get the morning post. That's when he finally shook his addled, half asleep brain into gear. As he looked through the glass of the porch door he could see a glare of white. No, it can't be, he thought. Gingerly opening the door his worst fears were confirmed. As far as the eye could see had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Snow was still falling, although only in little flurries now, and the drive had disappeared under a mountain

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