THE NEXT DAY Mum came to shake the girls awake.
“Time to get up – breakfast’s nearly ready!” she said as she pulled back the curtains. “Look, there’s been even more snow!”
The girls looked sleepy at first, rubbing their eyes and scratching their heads, but as they began to focus, they all sat up and stared out of the window in disbelief. The snow was so deep that the whole garden was white and it was still snowing.
“It’s as pretty as a picture, just like a Christmas card!” exclaimed Mimosa.
“It looks so fresh and clean!” said Sweetpea.
“It reminds me of whipped cream!” observed Abigail.
“I can’t wait to go and play in it!” added Poppy.
“It does look lovely, I know,” agreed Mum, “but it’s so inconvenient. I was planning to go shopping today. Never mind, I expect it will stop soon. Now, why don’t you all get washed and dressed and then come down to the dining room for a lovely big breakfast.”
“Yippee!” cried Poppy.
The girls got ready as fast as they could, chatting and giggling as they did so. They were all very excited about going to Wildspice Woods in the snow with Poppy’s dad.
Mum put more logs on the dining-room fire and brought slices of hot buttered toast through, along with tumblers of freshly squeezed orange juice and steaming bowls of porridge. Dad appeared after a bit of a lie-in, looking very tired and dishevelled. He’d had a busy week at work, as usual.
“Morning, girls!” he said as he came and pinched a piece of toast from Poppy’s plate. “I’m afraid we’re not going to be able to go to the woods today. Ted, the postman, just rang. Apparently the snow is really deep and getting worse, so he’s asked me and a few others to help him clear and grit the paths and doorways around the village – otherwise people will be stuck in their houses. This is the worst weather I’ve ever seen here. It could really bring things to a standstill. We’ll do the walk another time – when this snow has thawed.”
The girls were disappointed – they’d really been looking forward to their nature walk in the woods – but playing in the snow would be a good substitute.
“I think we should get you lot back to your own homes before the snow settles any deeper too,” Dad continued. “You don’t want to be stuck here for ever, now, do you?”
“We don’t mind staying, Mr Cotton,” chorused the girls. “We love it here.”
“Well, that’s very nice to know and we love having you, but I think your parents would probably like you back at some point!” Poppy’s dad smiled at them.
After breakfast Mimosa, Abigail and Sweetpea went off to pack their things and wrap up warm for the journey home while Poppy and Honey helped Mum to clear up. Honey didn’t have to go home because Granny Bumble worked at Bumble Bee’s Teashop on Saturdays so she always spent the day with the Cottons.
While Poppy and Honey bustled around the kitchen, making more mess than they were clearing up, Dad turned to Mum.
“Lavender, can you call the girls’ parents and tell them that we’re on our way? I think we’ll go to Sweetpea’s cottage first, then Abigail’s house, and then I’ll drop Mimosa off. After that I’ll go and help Ted and the others. Maybe you should get Grandpa over here. You know he never heats that house properly. We don’t want him to catch a chill. Not at his age.”
“James, there’s no need to panic. It’s just a bit of snow. I know it’s annoying but I don’t think it’s a disaster! I’ll make the phone calls while you get wrapped up for your great expedition. Me, Poppy, the twins and Honey will pop over to see Grandpa while you’re out.”
A few minutes later Dad emerged from the cupboard under the stairs wrapped up like an Inuit! He was wearing several sweaters, a thick quilted jacket, woolly gloves, a multi-coloured stripy scarf and a long pompom hat with a furry trim.
Everyone laughed. Poppy’s dad was making such a fuss about the snow while everyone else was just desperate to go out and play in it!
“I’m not sure if you’ll be able to move in that lot!” said Mum, hiding a smile.
“Laugh all you like,” said Dad. “I’m the one who’s been listening to the news, not you. The Met Office is predicting that this will continue for days. You might all be glad of an outfit like this later!”
Mimosa had a fit of the giggles. “Mr Cotton, it’s more like a bedcover than a jacket, and that hat is like Scrooge’s nightcap!”
“Tee-hee-hee!” grumped Dad as he filled a backpack with supplies and went off to find a spade.
Mum made sure that all Poppy’s friends were really cosy before they set off.
“Bye!” called Poppy. “Sorry the plans have all gone wrong. Hope you liked the sleepover!”
“It was really good fun, thanks!” called the girls as they disappeared into the bright white light. “Thank you for having us, Mrs Cotton.”