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‘May I introduce to you Lord Alec Martlesham.’
    â€˜Pleased to meet you Sir,’ smiled Arnie nervously, as he risked a look towards Emily who they all seemed to ignore.
    Lord Martlesham considered Arnie for a moment. ‘What’s your name?’
    â€˜Jenks.’
    â€˜First?’
    â€˜Arnie.’
    â€˜Well, Arnie Jenks, fate has determined that you are to stay here until it is possible to leave. I trust you can see that?’
    â€˜But can’t you get me home?’
    â€˜Certainly not tonight,’ said Mr Silverthorne, drawing back a curtain.
    â€˜Haven’t you got a 4 x 4 with snow chains or something?’
    â€˜I don’t think we
do
as it happens,’ said Lord Martlesham, stepping forward and scratching the edge of his beard with a bent finger.
    Arnie looked at him a little desperately as Emily stifled a cough reminding him she was still there.
    Lord Martlesham turned to address the man on his left.
    â€˜Better make up a bed for the boy Towersee.’
    â€˜The Ivory Room Sir?’
    â€˜Is it the best we can offer?’
    â€˜At least the windows all have glass in them still.’
    â€˜Very well.’
    â€˜Bed?’ stuttered Arnie. ‘Do I really have to stay here?’
    â€˜It is the only thing to do,’ said Mr Silverthorne, ‘unless you fancy your chances out there,’ he warned.
    â€˜No one got a shovel?’ Arnie said hoping, looking around.
    â€˜Shovel!’ grumbled Towersee, turning to leave. As he dragged himself towards the stairs, Arnie could hear the pills on his tray starting to rattle.
    Lord Martlesham cocked his head and scrutinised Arnie, his eyes now very still.
    â€˜We have never met before have we?’
    â€˜I don’t think so. I would have remembered.’
    â€˜Mmmm. Just wondered, you remind me of someone. Any idea Silverthorne who I mean?’
    â€˜No, your Lordship,’ the solicitor said vaguely. ‘But I do know that it’s getting late for us all.’
    â€˜What? Oh, yes. I should be on my way up. Need my rest. Old bones…old bones…’ And with a little sigh, he swivelled noiselessly on his heels and left. Arnie noticed his slippers were well worn.
    As Lord Martlesham reached the turn that led into the hall, he called back. ‘I trust you will respect my house while you are our guest.’
    â€˜Ah yes, sure.’
    â€˜And try not to break anything.’
    â€˜But…’
    â€˜Because you’ll have to pay for it if you do!’
    Mr Silverthorne waggled his cane and leant in towards Arnie. ‘Don’t say anything,’ he confided. ‘His Lordship has a heart of gold really.’
    â€˜Really?’
    â€˜Yes, really.’ Mr Silverthorne offered a light smile.
    Then Emily sneezed.
    Arnie instinctively sneezed a split second later, trying to cover up for her.
    Mr Silverthorne peered at him puzzled, ‘Are you quite all right? You look a little…wild.’
    â€˜Ah – no…um…I really am…
just
…fine,’ he said, looking from Mr Silverthorne to Emily and then back again.
    â€˜I mean…you seemed a little
distracted
when we met just now, is there something on your mind?’
    â€˜I was…um…’ He paused, as Mr Silverthorne followed his look to Emily, who quietly quaked in plain view of them both. ‘…imagining a
burger.’
    Mr Silverthorne’s eyebrows arched like a bridge. ‘How peculiar…’
    â€˜Yes – isn’t it?’ continued Arnie cheerily, ‘thought I might take a look in the kitchen to see what I could find.’
    â€˜Nothing much I’d say,’ sympathised the old man. ‘In the past there would have been some very reliable servants to make sure you never wanted for anything.’
    â€˜Really?’ Arnie rubbed his chin. ‘Well, that’s quite a coincidence,’ he said, flicking his eyes to Emily again. She was