I wake confused, caught between sorrow and panic. The dream releases its grip on me and I glance at the window. We made it through the night at least – the creature didn’t come back. Judging from the light creeping under the curtain, it has to be at least eleven o’ clock. And then I remember, and my heart sinks.

I sit up and rub my neck. Stig is in the kitchen with his back to me, making coffee. The sleeves of his sloppy, oversized jumper are rolled up, showing his strong forearms. Something inside me flickers at the sight of his tight jeans and long hair. I want to put my arms around him and hold him tight. I pull my gaze away, reminding myself of how rejected I felt last night.

I step into the kitchen and he hands me a cup of coffee. I take it with a small ‘thanks’, then reach past him and open the curtain. Huge white flakes swirl down, as fat as goose feathers. The tree is only just visible through the snow. Its branches are still, as if it’s gathering strength.

I swallow a mouthful of coffee. ‘About last –’

Stig speaks at the same time. ‘I’ve been –’

We look at one another awkwardly. I wrap my fingers around my cup. ‘You first.’

‘I wanted to thank you for what you said about Dad, about it not being my fault.’

An image of the Norn with her shears flashes into my mind. I consider telling Stig about my dream, but then I remember the kiss that didn’t come and how stupid I felt.

‘That’s OK,’ I say, forcing myself to smile.

He glances at my face as if he expects me to say something. I finish my coffee and then lay the cup by the sink.

Stig’s eyes widen as I reach for my coat and shrug into it. ‘You’re not going out there?’

I grit my teeth and wait for the argument to come.

‘Wait a few hours. If your mum isn’t here before it gets dark, then –’

‘And if her plane can’t land, or the ferry isn’t running? Or her car gets stuck in the snow?’

Stig glares at me and I return his stare. ‘I promised to wait until it got light, and I have. But I can’t put if off any more. Mormor is out there – she needs me!’

Stig grabs the back of a chair and it screeches against the floor. ‘I won’t let you go out there, even if I have to tie you to this chair!’

My chest flushes with anger. ‘Don’t be so ridiculous!’

I stomp towards the door, but he blocks my way with the chair and I fall over it, cursing.

‘Please, it’s not safe for you. I can’t let you go!’