by Karen Aldous
I sighed raising my eyebrows. ‘Well, at least she’s revealing something. Could be her confidence is so frayed.’
‘We think so. Cathy, Angie and I have all noticed quite a change in her. I’ve popped in to see her a few times over the last few months, and she’s looked so withdrawn, sounded it too. And I never get to stay long. It’s like she’s trying to usher you out as soon as you arrive. She doesn’t invite you into the lounge. No offer of a drink. Very peculiar. Let’s just hope it doesn’t prevent her from enjoying this week. Angie and I were chatting the other day about her confidence affecting her skiing. She was nervous on the dry slope. Though Cathy was too.’
I was concerned about Ginny, but a picture of the energetic sporty Ginny I used to know crossed my mind. I guffawed. ‘She’ll leave us all standing, I’ll bet,’ I told Lou. ‘Well, at least she won’t be alone. Four of us can’t ski. And I’m sure we’ll gee one another along. I’ll never forget the strength you girls gave me when I met you.’
Lou squeezed my arm. ‘We’re all a bit anxious, but until we try it, we’ll never know, will we? I can’t wait.’
‘Lou, you’re ace – that bold spirit hasn’t left you. I think it was such a great idea to do something totally different. Especially under the circumstances. She and Mike never skied together so she won’t have any associated memories. I would never have thought of it had I been there.’
Lou’s voice rose again. ‘Oh, the weekend at the hotel. You’d have loved it, the building, the grounds, the spa. A band even arrived and played for us. We were up dancing and making fools of ourselves. It was an amazing weekend.’ She stroked the side of my head. ‘Your hair looks great by the way. Suits you short. I like the gold hues running through it too.’
I ran my fingers through the top of my hair. ‘Caramels, darling. I used to love the colour of Jennifer Aniston’s hair. Verity, my hairdresser, suggested the shorter style. I told her to stay away from the pixie-wispy blonde otherwise you might think I’m trying to copy yours. Oh, here’s Angie,’ I said, interrupting myself. ‘Sorry, Lou. Let me get you a glass of wine, Ang.’
‘So good to see you, Kim,’ Ang said cheerfully and peered across the valley. ‘This scene never fails to impress me even though I’ve been coming here for years. It feels good to be back. Sunshine too. Don’t know how you got that in your suitcase, Kim!’
‘A beauty, isn’t it? It folds up nicely with a sheet of tissue,’ I said. ‘Let’s hope it continues for the week.’
The others had returned from their photoshoots and I handed Angie a full wineglass and raised mine with my voice. ‘Well, Flowers, here’s to a fabulous ski trip. Santé!’
‘Santé!’ We all chinked glasses as we gathered around the table, settling in our seats, breathing in the fresh mountain air, sipping sunshine and wine. ‘And, Ginny, I hope this week sets you up for a great year ahead,’ I added. I smiled to myself; I was in a dream. In a beautiful setting for a whole week with my beautiful friends. I was afraid that if I pinched myself, I might wake up. Finally, together again.
There was one dark cloud, however, that I needed to offload; I had to tell Ginny what I knew about Mike. The trouble was, I didn’t know if Ginny knew already. It would be a risk telling her because it might make me feel better, but I didn’t know if she would ever forgive me if I admitted to knowing. I just had to hope it wouldn’t cost me my friendship.
The girls from Camfield Bottom were still my closest buddies, although they were Ginny’s first.
After her parents offered to take our family in the term before we started senior school, Ginny, Lou, Cathy and I were all in top set in the village primary school, so I was fortunate that I fitted in. And staying at Ginny’s house was the best thing that had ever happened to my family. I mean, accommodating four of us, trusting us in their home – me, my younger sister Paula and two younger brothers, Ian and Mark. We were treated so well. And even when we were housed in a village council house, in the rougher end of Camfield Bottom, Ginny and her family, and the other girls, remained so friendly; we really gelled. They all had big hearts as well as their little foibles. That was why I loved them.
Ginny and Cathy were comparing photos and showing them to Lou.
‘Have you been to the chalet?’ Angie asked.
I quickly reached into my pocket and dangled the set of keys. ‘No, but I got the keys. Harold had left them with Stefano, the hotel owner.’
‘Oh, cool. You’ve not taken your things there yet then?’
‘No. Well, I thought we would go together and besides, I thought you might be hungry.’
Angie rubbed her stomach. ‘Mm. You could say that. Actually …’ She pulled out a packet from her pocket and asked, ‘Do you want some of these?’
‘What are they?’ I held out my palm.
‘Just my beans. Edamame beans,’ Angie said pouring out a small portion of crispy-looking yellow pods. ‘Just a snack. They’re crunchy, try.’
‘Oh, young soya pods, I like them fresh on my salads. They’re green.’
‘That’s it, but full of protein and healthy fats. Just handy to carry when you work out a lot.’
‘No doubt good for someone who doesn’t eat meat then. You and Cathy are pescatarians, aren’t you? I thought you might have changed your thinking now that animal rearing is strictly regulated and monitored.’
Angie frowned, turning up her nose. ‘Ew, no. Hormones, antibiotics. Probably worse. Anyway, I still couldn’t. It’s still like eating a pet to me. No, there’s lots of alternative nowadays. I’m a real sucker for the cheeses out here. Can’t beat a nutty Swiss Gruyere.’ Angie’s eyes lit up and she put her packet back in her pocket. ‘They do a lovely saffron risotto here actually, but try Gruyere grated over it instead of Parmesan.
‘We can eat here,’ I said tipping my wine to my lips. ‘Might as well enjoy the sunshine and the view, and try something different. That sounds nice. I do enjoy veggie dishes.’
‘I’ll get the menus,’ Angie said.
We didn’t know Angie until we were older. She was Ginny’s neighbour when Ginny and Mike bought their first house in Greenwich. Will and I were still in London too then. Then we all gradually moved to the village. Will and I were there for four years before we moved to Oz. I’ve missed them loads. But Oz called Will and had so much to offer. We were still young and looking for adventure. It was a wonderful place to work and bring up the girls, but Camfield Bottom would always be my home.
‘How are you feeling about skiing?’ Angie asked me as she handed the menus round the table.
‘Nervous, but it would be a shame not to as we’re here and we’ve worked ourselves so hard.’
‘You’ve all done brilliantly. Hopefully, you’ll all thank me when your legs ache.’
‘The girls are jealous their ol’ mum is off skiing.’
‘The boys are too.’ Angie laughed.
‘I was blown away when Ginny messaged me asking me to come out to ski. I’d always fancied the idea, but Will has always been more of a water-skier and I admit I’ve enjoyed that over the years, especially living in Perth and BT – before twins.’
‘Yes, I remember.’ Angie nodded. ‘How are the girls?’
‘Well, I’ve seen Mai, spent yesterday with her. She’s thriving in Milan. I’ve missed them like crazy since they left for uni and their jobs in Europe. I wished I’d extended the trip to Avril in London.’
Angie nodded. ‘Yes, that would have been nice.’
I was thirty-eight when they miraculously surprised us. All the medical knowledge between Will and I, the IVF treatments we had gone through, couldn’t make it happen; then hey presto, like magic they blessed us with their arrival. One on the thirtieth of April, hence Avril, and Mai, half an hour later on the first of May.
‘There’s definitely something poignant about the empty-nest syndrome,’ Angie went on. ‘I’m glad I had my little fitness business to focus on, even though it wasn’t turning much profit then.’
‘Yes, I need som
ething. I’m hankering to be back in Europe near them and with you guys,’ I said. ‘I just don’t know that Will has any intention of giving up his career to come with me. He is so absorbed in his work, which I understand. I’ve just got long in the tooth with mine in comparison.’
Angie swooned. ‘Aww, I love Will, he’s so driven. It’s a good quality. Maybe he can find something similar in Europe and teach Rob a thing or two.’
We chuckled.
Will’s dedication to his current work and research, and the wellbeing of cancer patients, was admirable, and why I fell in love with him. We were both driven to curing and caring for our own reasons. Of course, I took pity on him when he revealed his motivation to succeed as a cancer specialist. Losing his mother to breast cancer at twelve and recognising he had the power to discover hope for others seemed extremely mature and gallant to me.’
‘I know. I should be grateful. And tolerant. It’s a great purpose to have.’
‘And, why you love him,’ Angie added, draining her glass. ‘More wine?’
‘Yes, and yes please.’
Mine and Will’s connection and chemistry had been evident to everyone except me. We were young, and no one was more surprised than me when this attractive new doctor gave me so much attention. Every one of our colleagues noticed his flirting, and even some of the patients did. Apparently, our sexual energy charged the hospital air. Within just two weeks of meeting, we couldn’t bear to be apart. We bought our first flat together in London and remained a strong couple.
Until now, that was. As much as I still loved him, things had changed. I had changed. The arguments about when and where we would retire had created a lot of tension. And a couple of months ago, after another heated discussion, I threatened I would return to Europe alone if I had to, telling him he could join me when he was ready. That was a sad moment. A moment I regretted. I hurt him deeply and to be honest, I didn’t know how he was still talking to me. Will could have washed his hands of me, so I was grateful for the way he dealt with it.
‘At least you’re honest,’ he’d said. ‘And if you need to go, then I can’t stop you. I committed five years to this project. Do what you need to do, and I’ll join you.’ Naturally, guilt ripped into me and I wondered if I could really go without him. The angels must have been looking down on us though. He kissed me and assured me that our love was strong enough to deal with it. I breathed out a sigh of bliss and thanked the angels for my state.
These last few years, I have discovered my spiritual side through doing yoga and meditation. So many patients of mine have trusted their guardian angels, I now find myself doing the same, and as always, I add my gratefulness. I believe Ginny and her mother were mine. It’s only since meeting these beautiful Flowers that my life has changed for the better. OK, the blip was the years Will and I waited for the twins, but sometimes, I feared it was too good, and at any second it could all go tits up. But here we were, together, and I was going to enjoy it.
‘More wine, anyone?’ Angie was asking the girls, seeing their wineglasses drained.
I caught the waiter’s attention and he smiled as he came across to our table. I pointed to a bottle on our table. ‘Encore le vin rouge, s’il vous plaît?’
‘Oui.’ He nodded.
‘Carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît,’ Angie said turning to the waiter, then back to us. ‘Phew, not sure if it’s the sun or the altitude that is dehydrating me already.’
‘Probably all that stress driving and making sure we all got here in one piece,’ Ginny said.
Cathy tousled her hair parting, then her crown, making her bob soften her face. She then held out her glass. ‘I think you deserve a toast for getting us all here safely. Thank you, Angie. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride from Geneva and along the lake, but that last bit had me gripped in terror, I confess; it was scary. So well done, and cheers to you.’
‘Cheers, Angie,’ we chorused.
‘My pleasure girls.’ Angie gave an embarrassed smile. ‘All good practice for next time, eh?’ Her eyes checked each of us for approval but was met with apprehensive stares. ‘OK, we’ll take a snow check on that one,’ she sniggered. ‘It’s given me an appetite though. I think it’s the perfect time to order lunch.’ Her suggestion was met with smiles. ‘Then we can go to the lift station to buy our passes ready for the morning.’
Ginny nodded. ‘Absolutely.’ Then she turned towards the valley, the tension smoothed from her face.
‘So lovely to see you happy and full of energy,’ I told her, hoping it was true.
‘So lovely to be here with you all.’ Ginny gazed at me then, squinting her eyes, she sat back in her chair. That jarring feeling shot through me again, making me wonder if she did know about Mike and if she could sense I was hiding something.
Chapter 3
Ginny
With stomachs stuffed of either saucisse de veau and frites or saffron risotto with Gruyere, we crossed the road to buy our lift passes then made our way to the car to collect our suitcases. Our chat and excitement was heady with far too much red wine, so it was a relief to stretch our legs following the road along part of the village before heading down a narrow icy path towards our chalet while singing ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’.
Angie stopped us briefly to point the chalet out. It was truly breath-taking, nestled on the hillside that overlooked the valley and surrounded by thick fresh powdery snow with miniature pine trees poking their heads up here and there. It was smaller than I expected but the smell of new wood was as welcoming as the warm air as we entered. The entrance porch was furnished both sides with racks for skis and boots, and ample hanging space for wet ski-wear.
‘We’ll soon fill this up,’ Angie said, kicking off her snow boots.
‘It’s nearly new, isn’t it?’ Lou said pushing open the door to the living space.
After removing her boots, Angie followed her, wriggling her case as she held the door. ‘Yes. This is its first season. Harold and Jean-Paul only finished it in October so we’re probably first for the ski season.’
Behind Angie, I pulled off my boots and wheeled my case to my other side and waited until Cathy and Kim were in stockinged feet and inside before Kim closed the door.
‘Is there an alarm, Ang?’
‘No idea, Harold never said.’
Kim rattled the door handle, inspecting the workings inside its structure and counting. ‘Oh, at least there’s seven locks on here. You’d think they would have a security alarm and cameras.’
‘Maybe they don’t have any crime here,’ Cathy said.
‘Seriously.’ Kim appeared indignant. ‘You can never be too careful.’
We sniggered. ‘What are you like!’ Angie laughed.
‘I know. I know. I can’t shake the habit. It comes naturally when you had a father like mine and had to keep looking over your shoulder.’
‘Lose it, sweet, he’s six foot under now,’ Angie said.
Kim shrugged. ‘I wish I could.’
Although the sun was now sinking behind the mountains above us, the living space was airy and bright. Flames from the ready-lit log burner gave a warm homely glow.
‘This place is beautiful.’ Lou ran and flopped onto one of the three olive-coloured loungers. ‘Oh, this one is too hard.’
Running across to the next and diving into a pile of faux-fur cushions and soft-looking throws, she closed her eyes. ‘This one is too soft.’
We watched and giggled waiting for her to try the last sofa.
‘So I’m staying here, Flowers,’ she said, wrapping herself in a throw and tucking up her feet.
‘Darling girls, this is stunning,’ Cathy chimed, flinging herself into one of two winged armchairs and raising her feet to rest on a solid oak coffee table placed on a grey-speckled rug in the centre, a few feet from the log burner. ‘So tastefully executed. I will take some photos before it becomes messy,’ she said, retrieving her tote bag from the floor and getting out her phone and glasses. ‘Lou, I’m afraid you
’ll have to move.’
‘You’ll have to move me then. This is sooo comfy.’ Lou closed her eyes, stretching back her neck.
‘Darling, please?’ Cathy pleaded.
‘Do I really look that bad?’ Lou protested. ‘Actually, I’ve got a better idea. Flowers, come and sit with me, Cathy wants a photo.’
Cathy shook her head, her neat bob rippling. ‘You’re incorrigible, Lou Cavendish. If you were my pupil, you would be in detention.’
‘Ms Golding, if I was your pupil, you would have kicked me out the first day for swearing,’ Lou retorted.
‘Absolutely, darling,’ Cathy tittered, ‘now close in.’
We all sniggered at their banter. I ran over and sat next to Lou. Kim and Angie hugged into us.
Cathy snapped away with her phone. ‘OK. So, I’ll take one or two and then you will all stand behind me. Deal?’
We looked at one another and laughed. ‘Yes, miss.’ It felt great to have some fun with them again.
Cathy widened her mouth to demonstrate. ‘Cheese.’
‘Fromage,’ Lou and Angie sang together loving to wind Cathy up.
Cathy slowly took three shots whilst we fixed our grins. ‘Thank you.’ Then we dispersed.
Lou, Kim, Angie and I padded behind Cathy to the other side. A long wooden staircase ran up to the next floor and a long solid oak dining table almost matched the wood on the floor.
‘Oh, look at this. More wine,’ I said, pointing to three bottles of wine, a box of chocolates and a box of biscuits in between two tall ornate candlesticks. ‘We’ve landed in heaven. Let’s find some glasses. Forget the skiing. I could just stay cosied up here all week.’
‘Me too,’ Kim agreed. ‘Did you say we’re here a week or a month?’
