It had played right into his hands. There was no way he was going to let Jess and Ben stay in that igloo for even an hour, much less overnight. He’d been working on a plan of action to convince her to return ever since they’d left and inwardly cheered as Ben took up the cause on his behalf during the journey into London. The boy had tried his best, but Jess refused to budge from her standpoint, which to him sounded completely irrational. He owed it to her not to pressure her in front of Ben, however, and had to remain silent. But entering that cold, little flat had shocked him into action. He was appalled to think that people still lived in conditions like that. He hadn’t noticed it previously as the place had seemed warm enough and glowing with festive decorations – Jess, no doubt for Ben’s benefit, had transformed every room into a Christmas wonderland which seemed to add warmth. But as the cold pierced his bones, he began to look around him more carefully. The place was furnished as tastefully as limited financial resources would allow.
