The author, Ian, is embarking on a work trip to the north west of England to be audited, which he isn’t particularly excited about. He wakes up early on a cold day and goes for a walk before picking up his rental car. He plans to visit a former colleague who lives in Warrington, but decides to make a pitstop at Fotheringhay, the site of Mary Queen of Scots’ imprisonment and execution. The village is home to St Mary and All Saints, a 15th-century church that served as the parish church of the House of York, including King Richard III.
After taking some pictures, Ian plans to visit other churches along the way but skips them due to time constraints. He eventually arrives in Warrington to visit the colleague, Teresa, and then heads to his hotel, a golf resort, during a heavy snowstorm. Despite the treacherous conditions and low fuel warning light, Ian arrives safely and settles in for dinner.