The Delanos

Ria

Philippe brought the huge vehicle to a halt. They were on a side street, a tree-lined street and Ria turned to look out of the window, alarmed. Why had he stopped?

The snow was coming down heavily now and she could barely make out the shapes of the houses ahead of them. It was also dark and she turned to look at Philippe in desperation, in fear.

He was watching her, his face hard and impassive as he prepared to get out of the vehicle.

“Wait,' she cried in alarm, clutching his arm to prevent him from leaving the Hummer," where are you going?’

Her panic did not make him soften. His dark eyes were cold as he replied,

“There is no way we are going to reach the big house before nightfall,’ he growled coolly, “ So we are halting here for the night.’

Here? thought Ria in apprehension. Where was HERE?

She panicked, looking around wildly although the only thing she could make out was the curtain of white as the snow came down with force now. Outside the windows of the vehicle, there was a