Snow Blind by Richard Blanchard

and he is looking querulously at our huddle. He rubs his hands frantically to revive their warmth. Everyone re-adjusts with the air of conspiracy lifted. No one agrees with all that has been agreed.
    â€œWhat were you guys talking about?” Dan worriedly asks as he sips flat-headed beer.
    â€œNothing you need worry yourself about,” Steve sneers at him.
    â€œListen. You want this to be a weekend to remember don’t you? We want to take you to see some sights, are you up for it?” Robert asks Dan.
    â€œSure, whatever you guys want.” More silence allows Robert to reclaim the agenda. He pats Dan on the back to seal his fate.
    Dan can’t settle, shuffling feet reveal his tension. He is deep inside his own thoughts, represented by the frown taking over his forehead. At last he is a man. He was a boy with me and it is great to see. However, he is gulping down beer as fast as he can and even after all these years I know what he is going to say next.
    â€œListen guys, I’m going to get an early night. There’s a lot to do tomorrow before ski school. Anyway I can’t stand the music in here and as for the football…” He tails off.
    â€œAnyone want to go back with me?” Dan gestures for me or any other to go back to the hotel with him.
    Now I understand the depth of his impending discomfort.
    â€œSign O’ Times” by Prince plays in the bar, competing with the TV. I know he loves this but he is missing out on more than just that. Whatever is paining him now will be the least of his worries in the next few days.

C HAPTER 12
    Dan 06.20
    The house on the hill waits impatiently for the return of its owner; it is aching to be brought back to life by the presence of Daniel and his family. Slopes of lush green grass tumble improbably away from each external wall. Sited on such a severe hillcrest it has no neighbour.
    Daniel strides out the last mile to his home. A series of undulating hills are all that part them. His legs go loose as the gradient takes him downhill, his momentum producing a semi-run. Then his thighs burn as he pushes his hand onto his knee to aid the upward climb.
    Mounting the crest of the first hill he counts the shape of at least three more before him and his home. He lets his legs go loose again as he starts to clamber down, knees locking at every stride. He feels a rise in resentment as his brown linen suit is scuffed from a small fall at the valley floor. This is not right. Rising up another hill top his lungs rasp.
    The house is now framed in black cloud, which pushes a wild warm wind to swarm around his face. He questions why he is wearing a jumper and suit to go home. Bepe appears on his right hand side; he had been following him all along. Robert waits in the next valley floor; Bepe runs down the hill and reaches him. Robert is carrying an old-fashioned pail, made of gnarled oak with leather straps. All three stand to look at each other. Robert coolly pours the water from his pail onto Daniel’s leather brogues. Water splashes off at first but starts to soak his socks and trouser legs. Daniel stares silently at Robert before carrying on up the next hill.
    Another hillcrest, the house seems no nearer but surely there are only two to go before he reaches home. One foot squelches forward, accompanied by the singular splat of the first fall of rain. The warm wet wind blows the sopping wet trousers onto his calf. Another singular splat before the noises bunch up.
    Daniel raises his face skyward and enjoys the warm rain mixing with the salt-water sweat on his face. He tastes it and moves on. His footing varies, one grassy step is held by sodden leather, whilst the next shoots backwards as it fails to grip.
    Robert is at the next valley floor with a full metal bucket of rainwater. He throws this over Dan’s feet again. Dan feels his trousers completely wrap around his shins and moves on.
    A thunder crack triggers the hairs on the back of