Chapter 57. An Intruder in the Night

Sharon woke with a start about two hours later sure that something had woken her. She was cold and the darkness frightened her as she lay, her ears straining against the silence. The fire had gone out, the room chilled again.

She heard footsteps outside the front door. Footsteps muffled by the snow. She swallowed,unable to move, her heart pounding loudly in her ears. There was someone outside.

She couldn't see but she could hear the slight creaking of the door handle as it was being turned. Had she locked it? She couldn't remember bit she must have done it because the door couldn't open and she let out her breath on a long high - pitched sigh.

She sat up trying to pull herself together. She didn't want to be lying on the couch if there was an intruder outside. She felt vulnerable,weak and nervous and she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the banging on the door.

'Who is it? she shouted shakily.

'Bryan, let me in'.

Laughing with relief, she ran