“The snow won’t stop til morning, I’m afraid. Kimberly can make your bed in the guest room.” Grampa Aird informs Carol after dessert. He stands there in the doorway filling up space with one hand clutching his pipe.
“Stay here for the night?” color drains out of Carol's face; no longer paying attention to Rindy on her lap.
“You couldn’t possibly drive home in such terrible weather,” Mrs. Aird quips, lowering a china cup back to place on its saucer.
“Therese will be waiting for me,” Carol protests, allowing Rindy’s tiny fingers lift parts of the solid gold necklace she wore around her neck.
“She’ll understand,” Mr. Aird clears his throat. “Ring her, if you must.”
Carol now gently overlaps Rindy’s hands with her own before pulling her off to set her down beside the chair where she sat in. Without a moment to waste, she left the parlor room with Mrs. Aird rolling her eyes.
“… you won’t be home…” Therese speaks on the phone.
“No, darling,” Carol answers, blinking towards the housemaid Kimberly entering the guest room with fresh linen.
“The Airds insist on having me spend the night. They say the snow should let up til morning.”
“For the best,” Therese doesn’t hide her disappointment. “Give Rindy a kiss for me.”
“I love you,” Carol tells her with one hand cradling the receiver.
“Love you,” Therese ends the line soon after.