The fog closed in.
The fuel warning-light flashed. Mum peered through the windscreen.
We need petrol, said Adam.
There's petrol station soon, just after we take the first exit at the next roundabout, said Mum.
But the engine slowed down. The car jerked. Stopped.
If it wasn't foggy we could see the roundabout and the petrol station from here, said Mum. There's an empty can in the boot. I'll go. You wait here. I won't be long.
She disappeared into the fog. I looked at my watch:5.54.
It was only a few miles to the cottage we were renting for Christmas. A funny time to go to the seaside but Mum wanted to do something different, our first Christmas since Dad left.
Fifteen minutes went by. No other cars passed.
Mum's a long time, said Ruby.
It's probably further than she thought, I said.
I hope she brings some sweets, said Ruby.
I'll ring her, said Adam.
He switched on his mobile, swore under his breath.
No signal, he said. Typical.
I'm hungry, said Rudy, and my feet are cold.
'Let's have some biscuits. Then go and meet Mum, I said. The walk'll warm us up.
I don't want to go out in the fog.
You'll get your sweet sooner. Here, have my watch and be timekeeper.
All right.
We gobbled some biscuits and I stuffed the rest into my pocket. We grabbed our torches. I turned off the sidelights and locked the car.
Twelve Minutes Past Six, said Ruby.
After a few yards I looked back; the fog had devoured our car. I could see nothing behind, and nothing in front. I didn't like this at all.