Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

The Dawn of 1916

The train ride up to Scotland was rather long, and when I stepped out onto the platform with Rigel it was cold, wet and threatening snow. Fortunately, I was ensconced in the coat Will had given me, and was wearing a wool sweater underneath. Rigel and I huddled in the back of a cab as the driver loaded my trunks and took us across Edinburgh. The house looked warm and inviting, even if the roses had been pruned back for the winter. But the staff that had been found had been told to expect me, and the cook and housekeeper were more than willing to help wrestle my trunk into the bedroom.

I told them to head home after, and followed the scent of dinner into the kitchen. The cook had left a pot of stew and a loaf of bread for my dinner, and the oven was still lit. I huddled close to it as I ate, and lit a candle from the embers to take upstairs. The electric lights were bright, but I had no idea what had been left to light the fireplace in the bedroom. Fortunately, it had been stacked with kindling and some actual firewood, all it took was me lighting the crumpled newspaper for the fire to be crackling merrily.

I paused before getting into bed, running my hand over the bed hangings. Will was going to be so surprised to see the Murdoch tartan curtains I had paid to have made and installed. With the bright red and green of the plaid it was perfect for Christmas, not to mention that when they were pulled around the bed, they made it wonderfully warm.

That wound up being much needed, for it was cold enough when I woke up to make me shiver. Rigel hardly cared that my teeth were almost chattering as I let him outside and returned to the kitchen. The stove was easy to light, and I swiftly had the main fireplace in the parlor lit. A quick ransacking of the cupboards revealed a tin of cocoa, and with a little milk, I had a hot drink to warm me from the inside out.

Rigel hardly seemed to feel the cold when I let him in, happily wagging his somewhat wet tail as he set about examining the house. I did a sweep of it myself, seeing what needed attending to. The rooms were clean, a Christmas tree had been set up in the parlor with a number of decorations piled up nearby, and the pantry and icebox were well stocked. The housekeeper and cook would be coming out later in the morning, and I had arranged for a cab to take me to meet Samuel at the train station.

He looked tired when I saw him, a porter pushing a cart with his trunk behind him. I gave him a smile as I hugged him, "We're so glad you could join us for Christmas."

Samuel briefly squeezed me, "I'm only sorry it's only fer a few days."

"Will will be glad for any time you can spend with us." I replied, following him outside and into the cab. He was quiet for the drive, but complimented the house when we pulled up. I paused to remove my coat once we got inside. "Samuel, is everything alright?"

He shook his head, but smiled. "Nothing for ye tae concern yerself with. I think I'm tired more than anything."

I gestured to the stairs, "The guest room has been prepared, it's just upstairs. Why don't you go have a rest? Will should be here when you get up."

He nodded, climbing the stairs slowly. I bit my lip as I watched him, feeling a worry in my chest. Samuel was at an age where the cold could get to him easily, and I hurriedly sent the housekeeper up to make sure his fireplace was lit. I also asked for something warm and hearty to be made for dinner, and wound up distracting myself by decorating the tree. It gave me time to think about other things, such as the pile of presents I had sent after Sylvie and her children. They were all very excited to see their father for Christmas, and for the impending puppies. I hoped they would be as excited over the toys and clothes I had sent, but a new jacket paled in comparison to a puppy.

Will was quite glad when the cab dropped him off at the house, rushing inside and stripping his greatcoat off before it dripped on the floor. And then there was a pair of arms around him, the weight of his wife dangling off his shoulders. He chuckled, feeling her against his back. "Ana, I take it you're glad to see me?"