Irene had prepared herself by setting the alarm for half an hour earlier than usual. It was horrible getting out of her lovely bed and staggering to the bathroom, dizzy with tiredness. However, as she glanced sleepily out of the window, she congratulated herself on her foresight. Another three centimeters of snow had fallen overnight. Before she left, she tried to persuade Sammie to go outside for a pee. He didn’t even open one eye but made a point of snoring loudly before rolling over onto his back with his paws in the air. If there was one thing he hated, it was cold, wet, early mornings—an opinion his mistress shared completely. Unfortunately, unlike Sammie she had no choice and had to venture out into the gloom. “BLOND—I MEAN, LINDA Holm was looking for you,” Jonny said when Irene met him in the corridor. She glanced at her watch. Ten minutes until morning prayer. She headed for the superintendent’s office. Linda Holm was standing by her desk with her back to the door, talking on the phone as she tried to shrug off a warm-looking turquoise cardigan knitted in a thick, fluffy yarn.
