‘My, my,’ he said as he stomped his feet on the doormat.  ‘That’s very cold stuff you’ve got out there.  I don’t remember the ground being white last time I was here.  What happened?’

‘It’s called snow,’ I said.  ‘You’ve seen it before, surely?’

‘Snow?’ he asked, giving it a wary look.  ‘But it’s so cold.  It’s never that cold where I live.  Oh well.  Different cultures and traditions, I suppose.’

‘Yes,’ I said.  ‘People expect it to be cold here.  Can I get you some tea.’

‘Please.’

He sat on the sofa while I made a pot of tea.

‘So, to what do I owe the pleasure?’ I asked.

‘Oh, it’s nothing important.  Zigg is having his car mended and I thought I’d come along for the ride.’

‘Is he in disguise too?’

Nob chuckled.  ‘No, no.  He had a better idea.’

‘Oh?’

He sipped his tea and chuckled to himself.  ‘It turns out we don’t need one.  He’s just telling people he’s going to a fancy dress party.’