It was easier to get across the road than normal after work. The snow was falling so thickly that the cars were crawling along while their wipers fought a losing battle to keep their windscreens clear.
Despite the heavy traffic, the road was still covered in snow marked with tyre tracks, which filled up again as the cars passed.
Missing a glove, I checked through my pockets without success. I looked into the bag I was carrying and decided there was no way I was going to pull out all the parcels. I would have to make do with one glove for the hand carrying the bag and put the other hand in my pocket to keep it warm.
I could already feel my feet turning to blocks of ice as they sank in the deep snow, and my face was adopting one permanent frozen expression.
The bus shelter at least blocked out some of the wind chill as I joined the crowd squeezing into it. The other passengers were never normally prepared to give up so much personal space, but on days like this, sharing a stranger's body heat didn't seem unusual.
'Been shopping again, Tracy?' a voice piped up.
'Hello, Mary,' I nodded to my workmate. 'Yes, at lunchtime, just a few more gifts for Hannah.' 'Your house must be full of presents for her!' She was right. I had gone over the top with treats for my two-year-old.
'It's the first time she'll understand what's going on at Christmas, so I had to spoil her.' I wanted to change the subject as there was another reason why I had spent so much on my daughter. 'I hope the bus is on time,' I said, my breath making clouds. 'I can't wait to get home and put these under the tree.
Mary shook her head. 'I wouldn't bet on it, not with this weather. I'd say they are already running late, going by this crowd.' There were more people trying to huddle into the shelter and I was in danger of being pushed out.
'Still, at least we won't have to do this for another week, Mary added breezily.
Denne historien er fra December 05, 2023-utgaven av Woman's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra December 05, 2023-utgaven av Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest