The man in the Jeep stepped out once more and approached them. Patrick parked the car, and Julie turned to Emily with a reassuring smile. "We'll wait here until you're safely inside," she said gently.
Emily nodded, taking a deep breath. She opened the door and stepped out into the cold, her boots crunching on the icy driveway. The twins followed closely behind, clutching her hands tightly.
The man led them to the front door, his demeanour respectful but guarded. As he knocked, the door opened almost immediately, revealing a familiar face. Emily's heart skipped a beat as she saw Ed, who looked at her with wide eyes of surprise.
"Miss Johnson. How did you get here?" Ed asked, a sense of happiness in his voice. "Please, come in."
"A nice couple drove us here. They're still waiting in the car," Emily replied. She then sent Andy and Emma into the house with the man who had driven the Jeep and returned to Patrick's car with Ed.
