When Carrick rose on Thursday evening he made his way to the living room , which had become something of a hub during the snow storm, being the warmest room in the house. Russell wasn't there. He excused himself and went on a hunt. He could not hear his lover's footsteps anywhere, and he wondered if Russell was taking a nap. He knocked softly on the bedroom door and looked inside. "There you are," he said. "What are you doing up here? It's freezing. Come and sit by the fire."