'I think I can hear an engine." Tricia stopped.
"Haven't you thought that at least 5 times so far tonight?" Jenny asked, continuing her walk.
With a sigh, the doctor went to follow her, but when she saw the flash of a headlight in the distance, she reached out for Jenny's arm to stop her instead. In the process she slipped, and a second later they were both on their backs in the snow.
For a moment, all that could be heard was a quiet engine approaching them as both women lay in the dark, but slowly they both began to laugh, and by the time the police car stopped beside them, they were sat on the wet ground giggling to themselves.
"What are you two doing down there? I've been looking all over for you!" Mike jumped out of the car.
"Oh, you know, we thought we'd have a brisk walk in the snow at night." Tricia spoke sarcastically and held out a hand to be pulled up.
Mike helped both women to their feet. "You're soaked! How long have you been out here?"
"I lost track of time about an hour in. I think we took a wrong turn." Jenny supplied.
"Well come on, there's a farm just down the road and they should have blankets and something warm to drink." Mike placed his jacket over Tricia's shoulders, then ushered them into the car.
"How did you know we were out here? We've only just seen David."
"I got a call from a farmer to say he'd seen your car, and I thought well, what would Jenny and Trish do? The sensible thing and wait in the car or go to a nearby house? No, they'd walk to the village in the middle of a snow storm."
Both women gave a sheepish grin as they relaxed into their seats.
…
Alf pulled up next to the roadblock an hour later and rolled down the window to address his sergeant. "I can't find them, Sarge. I've gone down every road I can think of from where they left the car, and I haven't come across them. Perhaps someone else picked them up?"
Dennis gave a slight nod, squinting his eyes to look out into the dark, snowy night. "Well let's hope so. We're packing up here, so you might as well go home, Ventress."
"Thanks, Sarge."
As he watched the constable drive away, Dennis decided he would make one last drive between the doctor's car and Ashfordly, and then he'd check both Jenny and Tricia's home. Not allowing himself to think what may happen if they stayed outside overnight, he dismissed everyone else from the road block, then climbed into his car.
…
Jenny bid farewell to her friends and rushed inside straight to the heater. When she was sure it was on, she grabbed the clothes that lay on her bed and made for the bathroom, thinking of nothing more than a warm bath. Just as she was about to climb in, there was a knock on the front door. With a moan, she pulled on her dressing gown and willed them away.
…
Just as Dennis reached up hopefully to knock again, the door was pulled open and without a word he was pulled inside, the door slamming shut.