by Karen Aldous
‘Yikes, I’d forgotten about that,’ Cathy squeaked. ‘OK, Cathy Golding, just don’t panic.’
The lift station was getting closer and I watched the one in front. ‘Right, lower your skis off the bottom. I’m going to lift the bar,’ I said. ‘If we all ski forward first, we shouldn’t crash.’
I heaved the bar up and sat back, then decided to go forward. The chair rose to the platform and as I saw the little slope, aimed to go straight, but the next thing I knew, we were all in a heap on the ground, bubbling with laughter.
Christoff steered around us as he skied off the chair behind us, the beam of a knowing smile stretching across his face.
‘You have not let me down, ladies. You begin so well getting on the chairlift. It was too good,’ he said, his accent so endearing, and reaching out his arm to pull Cathy clear from the landing area whilst we tittered, cherishing his irony.
After composing ourselves we ploughed on again, trailing behind Christoff until he stopped us. He described to us what he termed as shushing. This was, he assured us, nothing more than speeding up without turns in order to keep momentum on the uphill parts – bending forward if we needed to streamline ourselves. We filed behind, copying his movement. Speed increasing. I found it exhilarating. The air whooshed past me whilst I imagined the thrill of experienced skiers, like that of a bird, the swooshing and liberating rush of flight. I didn’t want this moment to stop. Why hadn’t I discovered this sooner? The adrenaline rush was addictive.
We shushed several wide paths behind Christoff and out to a big wide junction where we shushed until he slowed to make long turns, passing a pretty restaurant to yet another chairlift. The turns seemed so much easier even though we were going downhill faster and the slope steeper. This time it was a six-man chairlift – which we all managed to master in our breathless state climbing on, and arrived back to the top by the gondola, without a crash.
Angie was waiting with Neil for us at the bottom of the gondola and, along with Neil, was thrilled as she listened to us babbling about our breakthrough. The consensus was instant. We would skip lunch and go back up to do more skiing. I certainly didn’t want to eat or drink, and the girls agreed. Even Cathy. Our enthusiasm was bubbling like Prosecco, but alcohol was the last thing on our minds. All we needed was Angie to guide us on the slopes.
We also invited Neil along, who skied behind us and his encouragement and praise helped tremendously – not to mention his camera skills. He obliged willingly as we handed our phones over to him or Angie for some shots of us skiing.
* * *
After our hard-earned baths and rest, we ventured out to La Poste at seven to finally eat, chatting incessantly about the thrills and spills of the day. Both Cathy and Ginny’s confidence was buzzing. It’s true to say we were so utterly proud and pleased with ourselves, I didn’t want the day to end. I knew Will and the twins were proud of me too as I’d sent them some photos and a short video Angie had shot, and despite the time difference, they had WhatsApped me back with their cheery comments and emojis. Ginny sent some to Rachel and Ross, Lou to Terry and the girls, and Cathy had WhatsApped some to Anthony, though she was still waiting to hear back from him. She seemed really disappointed and more so when she rang and couldn’t get hold of him.
I had, however, still been thinking of Ginny and continued battling with my conscience. As I’d warmed my aching muscles in the sumptuous bubbles in the bath, I’d reached a decision. I would tell Ginny about Mike and Paula. As much as I didn’t want to hurt her or ruin what was the best time she had had since losing Mike, it was only fair that she heard the truth from me. But not tonight. No. I didn’t have the heart. Tonight would be a celebration of our accomplishment and progress. I would selfishly take comfort in sharing with Ginny the magic of our friendship and what we had achieved this week before I shattered her world. I hoped Ginny would appreciate that gesture someday at least. I knew in my heart she wouldn’t blame me, but the fact that I’d known for several months and not told her would hurt her tremendously. I needed to tell her privately. Face-to-face and before I returned to Oz and before anyone else did.
As luck would have it, a couple were just leaving our favourite table in La Poste. Our round one in the corner. Stefano was air-kissing his goodbyes and immediately turned to greet us too, sensing by our excitement that we were out to celebrate.
‘You have a good day, ladies?’
Ginny beamed with pride, her cheeks glowing. ‘Yes, thank you, Stefano. We are celebrating tonight. We are officially skiers.’
‘Magnifico! So, I bring Champagne?’ he said raising his hands. ‘And feed you the best menu.’
Disposing of our jackets on the benches behind us, we gazed at one another. ‘Heck, it’s only money,’ I said. ‘My treat.’
‘No, no,’ they started, objections proffered my way.
‘Yes, absolutely, yes,’ I insisted. ‘Tonight, my Flowers, you are my guests and I can’t think of anyone better that I want to spend my money or my time on.’
‘Are you sure?’ Ginny, Lou and Angie said together as they sat down. Then suddenly Lou shot back up again, staring over my shoulder, her body shaking.
‘Jimmy,’ she voiced huskily to the person behind me.
‘Lou, blimey, Lou. Good to see you,’ Jimmy barked and bounded around me to take her in his huge arms.
I had only met him twice, years ago when Lou brought him to Kent – once whilst they were still at uni, then at their engagement party in London, but it was obvious this was her ex. The guy she used to be crazy about. The guy she jilted to travel the world.
Jimmy stood to Lou’s side. ‘Guys, this is Lou. Gray, you must remember her?’ He glanced from his mates with a beaming large grin and back to Lou, then at us – briefly. ‘Let me get you a drink, babe. God, you still look amazing. Come and have a chat,’ he said, grabbing her hand to drag her away.
Lou stood firm, blowing air from her lips as if to appear calm, but I could see her chest rising. ‘We can chat here. Besides, there’s nothing really to say. How come you’re here?’
Locking eyes with her, he took Lou’s hand, his broad stature braced, appearing chastened. ‘We came on Saturday. I messaged you again several times on Facebook. Why didn’t you answer?’
Lou bit her lip then said. ‘Jimmy, I made that perfectly clear when I messaged you back. I’m happy in my marriage, I told you I was.’
‘I know, I know. I respect that,’ he said looking self-conscious as we all stayed rooted to our spots. ‘Yeah, but you could have come and met an old friend for a drink, for Christ’s sake.’
‘But why? I have no wish to get involved with you again.’
Fidgeting with his wrist, aware that we and his mates were surrounding them, he said again, ‘Let’s just have a quick chat outside, please, babe?’
Lou retrieved her arm. ‘No. Whatever you need to say, you can say it here. In fact, I’m with friends and there’s nothing else we need to talk about.’
Jimmy looked irritated. ‘You still owe me an apology for buggering off to Spain and calling it all off. You couldn’t even tell me to my face.’
Lou shook her head. ‘I wrote you a full explanation and apology nearly forty years ago. I can say sorry forty times if you really want me to, but get over it. You’re clinging to the past. It’s not my problem your marriage didn’t work out.’
He took her wrist again. ‘You were the only one, Lou. You’ve always been the only one. Andrea never came up to your standard. I mean, what we had was special and you know it.’
Lou folded her arms as he tried to grab her hand. ‘Was. Past tense. My feelings are with someone else – the man I married. Jimmy, you have to accept that. I made that clear when you hassled me on Facebook and I can say it again if you didn’t understand. There’s nothing between us, and I’m here having fun on my holiday so, if you don’t mind.’
‘Just give me five minutes outside,’ Jimmy persisted. ‘Lou, don’t deny you don’t still feel something. I can feel
it. Please, five minutes.’
‘No, Jimmy. It was nice to see you, but now you should go.’ Scratching her head nervously, Lou tried to sidestep him.
Jimmy stepped ahead of her. ‘So you didn’t deliberately post about this place?’
‘I haven’t. Why would I? I didn’t even know you skied. In fact I didn’t know I was coming here until about six months ago.’
‘So how would I have found out?’
‘No idea! Now, please let me sit down and go.’ Lou raised her arm and addressed his friends. ‘Take him away from me please.’
Ginny pushed her small frame between them and sat Lou down. ‘Please, Jimmy. Lou has finished. You’ve both made your points clear, so let’s leave it there.’
We girls sat back down around the table and, as promised, Stefano had left Champagne on ice in the bucket.
‘Sorry, girls, can you give me five?’ Lou said rubbing the back of her neck.
Chapter 15
Ginny
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Jimmy. Jimmy Dixon. Lou’s ex-fiancé! The guy she met at university. I peered around twice to check. Yes, he still had those lovely chocolate eyes; yes, it was definitely the man Lou dumped years ago on her parents’ advice – they managed to convince her she was too young!
I was devastated at the time because although we didn’t see Lou and Jimmy very often, just by their smiles and affection when they were together, they ignited a room. They were so in love. And there was no doubt he could still turn heads; just a small beer pouch under his shirt, a receded hairline, which was greying, but he was still striking. No wonder Lou looked dazzled, like lightning just struck her! What a shock! I was certain she would still have feelings for him. I knew she regretted her decision, but I wasn’t going to stand by and allow him to harass her. She loved Terry too and would never hurt him.
As I watched Jimmy and the three guys march to the other side of the room, I suddenly felt like an excited puppy at seeing Neil heading towards me, his expression wide-eyed.
‘Is everything OK?’
‘Yes, I think so.’
‘Can I have a word? It’s private,’ he said.
I needed to stay with Lou. ‘Can you give me a few minutes? Lou is upset.’
‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Certainly, it can wait. Anything I can do?’
‘Well, if trouble starts, there might be.’ I swung to face Lou and then turned back to Neil. ‘Things seem to be calming down. I’ll come and find you shortly.’
Neil squeezed my shoulder and walked off, leaving my skin with a warm tremor.
‘Are you OK, sweetheart?’ I clutched Lou’s arm as she gave me a frazzled stare. ‘You might relax and forget after a glass of Champagne,’ I said pointing to bottle in the bucket.
Angie immediately removed it from the ice and began to pour.
‘I think they’re going,’ Kim said, gawping out of the window.
Lou let out a sigh. ‘God, I hope so. I can’t believe he’s here. None of you have been in contact with him, have you?’
‘No,’ came the chorus.
Lou ran a hand down her face. ‘I told him years ago we were a no go.’
I patted her hand. ‘Yes. You were brave then and I know how much courage that took just now. I could wring out the chemistry that’s still here between you.’
‘Really? Yes, I felt it. I don’t know who I’m trying to kid. That’s why I didn’t want to see him. I’ve not seen him since before I broke the engagement off. I thought I was over him. You know I love Terry.’ Lou twisted her mouth, blowing out a cheek. ‘I have thought about him, I can’t deny it. It was, I don’t know, about five years ago, soon after I joined Facebook, he got in contact and asked to meet up. I think he’d not long got divorced. He kept messaging and pestering, so I came off Facebook for a while.’
‘I wonder how he knew you were here?’ Angie enquired, like us, curious. It wasn’t a highly commercial resort.
‘I wondered that too,’ Lou said. ‘But I think I know now actually.’
‘Oh, good, I like a mystery, solved,’ Cathy said.’
Lou chuckled. ‘Well, yes. I did go back on Facebook when you were in Australia, Ginny – to follow your updates. Jimmy hadn’t got in contact, so I assumed it was safe again. Anyway, Lisa from uni posted a few months ago excited that she was going to … somewhere skiing in Switzerland, and of course, I put on the thread that I was coming here. I just didn’t think because I’d blocked him, but then, it’s clear she’s friends with him. That’s the only time I’ve mentioned it on there. He’s obviously been trolling.’
‘Not trolling, darling. He hasn’t provoked you there,’ Cathy pointed out.
‘Well, OK nosing, scouring Facebook, whatever the term is. He’s been more subtle. Unless of course he’s spoken to Lisa. Who knows? I shall be careful next time … no. I just won’t go on social media.’
I swept back a tuft of hair swirling on Lou’s forehead. ‘No, don’t feel intimidated. You did what you thought was right, sweet. He’s gone peacefully, so I think he got the message.’
‘I shouldn’t have spoken to him in the first place,’ Lou said. ‘I was a bit shocked, curious maybe, when he first got in contact.’
‘Were you tempted to meet him?’ Angie asked.
Lou dropped her head for several seconds, then looked up curling her lip. ‘Actually, I was. That’s awful, isn’t it?’
‘No,’ I would be flattered if an ex got in touch,’ Angie roared, grabbing the Champagne bottle and filling our glasses. ‘I just didn’t have any decent ones that were worth going back for. You were engaged to him, weren’t you?’
Lou nodded. ‘Yes, I thought the world of him.’
‘You don’t regret it now though, do you?’ I asked.
‘Not now.’ Lou hunched her shoulders. ‘I did for a while, but then I met Terry. And Terry was so much easier to get along with. For all our chemistry, Jimmy was intense. A bit scary at times. He would never have been a good fit with all you guys like Terry is. And I suspect Jimmy would have been hard work. I mean as in highly possessive. I remember seeing a pic and comment on Facebook from a woman, maybe a friend of his wife’s saying that Andrea, his wife, was so much happier now she was out of her cage.’
‘Well, beautiful girl,’ I said, subconsciously clasping both my hands, ‘let’s pray he stays out of your hair. By the sounds of it, you had a lucky escape.’
Lou dusted her shoulder with her other hand. ‘Yes. Maybe Mum and Dad were shrewder than I thought. At the time it was painful, really hard going through the break-up with him. It does seem they found the right button to push.’
Cathy leaned forward, taking the stem of her full Champagne flute from Angie. ‘Indeed, they were, my darling. Very wise. If they had warned you off him, you would have been infinitely more determined to stay with him.’
Lou nodded. ‘Gosh, yes. And, thank God they had that insight!’ she added dropping her chin as she digested the information. Then, as if analysing Cathy’s argument internally, she paused momentarily before lifting her chin back up. Like her senses had jolted, a light beamed from her eyes. ‘Well, that wraps that episode up, doesn’t it? I can’t believe I was even remotely tempted to go back there.’
Angie raised her flute in the air, encouraging us to mirror her. ‘So, a double celebration tonight. You can thank your parents you got to travel and meet Terry instead of being trapped in a cage, and we can all claim officially to be skiers, you Flowers now having skied a blue run on a mountain.’ She thrust her glass to Lou’s. ‘So, Flowers, to you. Santé!’
‘Santé.’ We chinked glasses. ‘And forget him, Lou,’ Angie said. ‘Let’s enjoy our evening.’
Lou stretched out her arms. ‘Absolutely. Let’s toast to our lovely day. I’m not wasting another thought on that man.’
‘Hear, hear!’ Kim said picking up a flute the same time as me.
‘Here’s to great a great day’s skiing, my Flowers,’ Kim said raising her glass, ‘and to many more.
’
We cheered as we chinked our Champagne flutes again.
We continued chatting and patting ourselves on the back, when Neil joined us at the table carrying a large beer and another bottle of Champagne. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about him. He winked as he sat beside me. My insides took a tumble.
‘A very well-earned cheers, girls!’ he said, raising his beer. ‘May I congratulate you on your terrific day. You looked amazing out there on the piste. You have every right to be celebrating. Well done to you all.’
‘Thank you, Neil, cheers.’ We chinked yet again, triumphantly.
Neil bestowed a sweet smile upon me, meeting my eyes as his glass tapped mine and despite the drama just a few minutes before, I readily lapped it up with my Champagne. ‘Cheers,’ I said exchanging glances with him, eagerly drinking in his eyes. Like Mike, he was such easy company, more serious, more rugged around the edges, but his energy pulsed in the same way, which gave me comfort. I wasn’t sure after being cossetted at home for so long whether this was sobering or not. I’d never had much experience, with men or boys. And I’d barely communicated with the world for an age so how could I tell?
I turned away from him to see Angie and the others still hugging Lou, so whilst the girls nattered, I returned my focus on Neil, aware he had asked to speak to me. He must have seized his opportunity just as I was sifting my thoughts, because he bent towards me. He spoke softly, with his fingers entwined together. His fresh scent was becoming familiar.
‘I hope you don’t think this forward. I just wondered if you would like to come out with me tomorrow night, or Thursday?’ He flashed a glance at the girls. ‘Just the two of us, I mean.’
Slapping my chest, I wasn’t surprised my fingers pounded along with my heart. Was he really asking me on a date? It must have been forty-five years, maybe forty-six, I couldn’t remember. My mind whirled as I peered down at Neil’s hands; his fingers were wriggling, possibly with nerves. I bit my lip, thinking of Mike. Wondering whether he would think me disloyal. That, and I felt like a shy teenager. I wasn’t sure I was ready for any of this. Neil lightly touched my wrist, and I looked up to him, my skin reacting with a tepid shiver. He must have sensed my unease.
