How does Kate Atkinson use imagery in Human Croquet?

Imagery:

"Eliza stood on tiptoe and whispered in Gordon's ear, her curls tickling his check, her voice burning like sugar, Darling, if we don't get a place of our own soon, then I'm going to leave you. Understand?"

"An avalanche of white snow seems to envelop the car and we're plunged into a white world of silence, the silence of absolute deafness."