Baby It's Cold Outside by Kerry Barrett

doesn’t sound good.’
    â€˜We’ve had an idea about that,’ Harry said. ‘But we weren’t sure you’d go for it.’
    â€˜It’s Douglas,’ Mum said.
    â€˜Oh,’ I said. I’d kind of forgotten about him in all the drama. I’d not seen him since just before the avalanche.
    Mum adopted her stern face. The one she used to use when I was small and refusing to eat my vegetables.
    â€˜Now Esme,’ she said. ‘I know you’re not thrilled about me and Douglas and I can understand why. But he is a good man. He makes me happy, and me being in a relationship will never affect the way I feel about you.’
    She breathed out and looked at me, as if defying me to argue. I wondered how long she’d been practising that speech in her head. The thought of Mum standing in front of the mirror in her bedroom, rehearsing a speech to make me accept her new boyfriend, made me feel guilty. I smiled at her.
    â€˜Douglas?’ I repeated, ignoring her heartfelt plea and cutting straight to the chase. ‘How do you think he can help?’
    â€˜Well he’s in the business, isn’t he?’ Harry said.
    â€˜He’s an undertaker,’ I wailed.
    â€˜Well, a funeral director,’ Louise pointed out. ‘And it’s all the same people isn’t it? Officially I mean. The ones who marry people, and conduct funerals and christenings and whatever.’
    I thought about it. She was right.
    â€˜So he’d know people?’ I said. ‘People who might be able to hold a wedding ceremony?’
    â€˜Finally she gets it,’ Harry said. ‘He’s bound to know registrars, celebrants, whatever. And some of them must live this side of the avalanche. There’s got to be someone we can ask. We just need Doug to put a word in for us.’
    â€˜Okay,’ I said, nodding. ‘But I’m not sure he’ll help. I’ve not been very nice to him so far.’
    Mum gave me one of her looks and I turned away so I didn’t have to meet her eyes.
    â€˜I was a bit surprised by it, that’s all,’ I muttered.
    â€˜You’ll have to be extra nice to him this evening,’ Mum said.
    â€˜What’s happening this evening?’
    â€˜They’re having a survivors’ party in the town hall,’ Mum explained. ‘Douglas’s niece is singing. I said we’d all go. I think we could do with a night out.’
    Mum’s lips were pursed in a way that I’d learned through bitter experience meant she would not be argued with.
    â€˜Okay,’ I said. ‘We’ll go.’

Chapter 14
    I left Mum, Harry and Louise down in town and walked back up the snowy hill alone. I wasn’t convinced about going to watch Kirsty sing – judging by her staid appearance I was fairly sure the sort of music she performed wouldn’t be my cup of tea. I pictured some sort of religious group with guitars and perhaps a flute. But Harry and Mum were right that Douglas was the person to ask. I’d have to make an effort.
    But before then, I wanted to see Jamie. And I also wanted to put on my lawyer hat and quiz Tansy about where Jamie stood, legally.
    As I walked, I pulled Leona’s phone out of my pocket and called Jamie.
    â€˜It’s me,’ I said when he answered, knowing he wouldn’t recognise the number. ‘I’ve got a new phone.’
    â€˜Hello you,’ he said. ‘That’s brilliant. Where did you get it from?’
    â€˜Harry sorted it,’ I panted. It was hard work tramping up the hill and talking at the same time.
    â€˜And,’ I said, ‘she’s also worked out a way for us to get married. We don’t have to cancel the wedding!’
    Feeling triumphant I ended the call, threw my phone into my bag and marched on up the hill with renewed vigour.
    Jamie was waiting for me at the front door. I wrapped my arms round him and he kissed my cold