‘We’ll just get basics, some flour, a twist of tea and a pat of butter. I can bake some bread then. There’s a small oven in the side of the inglenook look, though I dread to think what state it will be in. But never mind, I can soon scrub it out while you’re gone. I’ll have a look round the other rooms as well and see if there’s anything we can use to make ourselves a little more comfortable. It looks like we’re going to be stuck here at least until the snow goes now.’

Charlie pulled his boots on and wrapped up as warmly as he could. Then, with a nod at his sister, he set off. The two smaller children were snoring softly, so now that it was light Opal decided to see what state the rest of the rooms were in.

A door was set into the wall at the side of the fireplace and, on opening it, she found herself in what had clearly once been a bedroom. It was so cold in there that it almost took her breath away, so she quickly stepped inside, shutting the door behind her to keep what warmth she could in the kitchen. She clutched her shawl more tightly about her. There was a yawning hole in the roof and a pile of snow was heaped in the centre of the room. Against one wall was an old iron framed bed with what remained of a straw mattress on it and against another wall was a chest of drawers with one drawer missing.

Well there’s no way we can use this room until the roof had been repaired, she thought despondently, kicking at what appeared to be the remains of a wooden chair. At least the wood could be used to keep the fire burning though. She quickly stooped to gather it up and carried it back to the kitchen, before cautiously starting up a staircase that was little more than a ladder and led to the upper storey.

She found herself in a small room which was surprisingly dry, with yet another old bed against one wall. The roof sloped in here, and she could only stand up in the centre of the room, but even so she could see that without too much work it could become usable.

She went back down the stairs as quietly as she could so as not to wake the children and headed for the last door to the other side of the fireplace. Once inside she found herself in what had clearly once been used as a small sitting room. An old sideboard that was thick with dirt and grime stood beneath the window but a quick glance around showed that all the rest of the furniture was broken and probably beyond repair, apart from a solid looking oak table that took pride of place in the centre of the room.