Five Ladies Go Skiing

by Karen Aldous

  ‘We have some here,’ Christoff said, taking the bottle from the cooler and topping up the flutes.

  Avril rose from her chair, chewing her lip. She then took a knife and banged lightly, trying to grab everyone’s attention.

  ‘Aunt Tandy, Mum, Dad, Mai and all my other aunties here. David and I have an announcement to make.’

  I immediately grabbed my cheeks. They’d come all this way to announce their engagement. It was too soon, but it was comforting to feel she would be looked after in London. My head was swimming in anticipation. I stood and braced myself.

  She took David’s hand as the noise in our corner died down. ‘We are thrilled to tell you – David and I are expecting a baby.’

  I gasped with air trapped in my lungs. The corner filled with ahhs and congratulations.

  Avril looked at me, then Will. ‘Mum, Dad, you are going to be grandparents.’

  I gazed at Will, my eyes spurting tears. A cocktail of emotion whirled in my head, my stomach. Avril and David were suddenly caught in a mob of embraces. I sat stunned, staring at Will.

  ‘Did you know?’ I suddenly voiced accusingly at him.

  Will looked sheepish. He shrugged. ‘She was desperate to get me here.’

  Avril’s face appeared beside him. ‘Aren’t you pleased, Mum? Sorry, I so wanted to ring you when I found out, but I wanted to wait the twelve weeks. I had to tell Dad otherwise I’d have never got him here. I really wanted it to be a surprise for both of you.’

  I started, ‘Yes, it is a surprise, poppet, but what about …’ Lou and Cath grabbed her attention. ‘Darling, congratulations, David is so lovely,’ I heard Cathy say.

  Ginny sidled up to me, her arm looping through mine. ‘Granny Kim, eh? Congratulations. Face says horrified rather than thrilled though.’

  ‘I don’t know how I feel, Gin, if I’m honest. She’s so young. She’s just finished uni and begun her career. And they haven’t been together long.’

  I looked at Will across the table. He shrugged. ‘I’m with you, love, but what can we do?’

  I pinched the skin between my brows. ‘She’s sharing a flat.’

  ‘Apparently, they’re buying a flat in London,’ Will said, obviously having checked a few things out. ‘Av says she’ll keep her job part-time. She seems to have it all worked out. David’s a few years older and has a well-paid job. We have to trust them to make the best of it, love.’

  Cathy pulled Will to his feet and hugged him.

  Ginny rubbed my forearm. ‘We all met our husbands when we were young. We managed. I was younger than Avril is now when I gave birth to Ross. Lou, Angie only slightly older. She’s a bright girl with a sensible head on her shoulders.’

  ‘But she’ll be in London, on her own. A baby. Plus, childcare will cost a fortune,’ I protested.

  ‘No one can prepare themselves for children, Kim. Our budget was always tight; but you manage, you have to be creative, but you manage.’

  I sighed. I couldn’t get the fact that this was still my baby girl. So young. It wouldn’t be so bad if I could be closer. Ginny did have a point though. ‘Yes, I suppose they’ll have to manage. It won’t be easy. I can’t profess to have scraped by, I didn’t have that problem, but, yes, I know you all had financial constraints early on. Maybe we can help out financially at least.’

  ‘They’ve got one another and presumably David’s parents may be able to offer some support.’

  I spurted tears again. ‘You know how to cheer me up, Gin.’

  ‘Oh, Kim. Sorry, that was meant to comfort you,’ Ginny said stroking my wrist.

  ‘Ginny, I’m sure it was.’

  We laughed. ‘Yes, well, we know how easy it is to feel you’re helping someone, don’t we?’

  I squeezed Ginny’s hand and met her warm caring eyes. ‘I have to get on with it, don’t I?’ She peered at me with a tight-lipped smile and I raised my brows. ‘I suppose it will give me further ammunition in my armour when I tackle Will.’ I looked up to see Will and Cathy looking down on me.

  ‘You’ll work something out, I’m sure,’ Ginny said. ‘Embrace it and enjoy it.’

  ‘Darling, congratulations, you’ll get used to the idea,’ Cathy said, reading the situation and holding out her arms.

  ‘Sorry, Cath, I haven’t congratulated Avril and David.’

  I rushed round to the other side of the table to my daughter who was stood grinning from ear to ear beside her tall handsome partner. I held out my arms. ‘Congratulations to you both. I squeezed her tight, then hugged David. ‘It took a minute to soak in but I’m very happy for you both. And you have to promise me you’ll look after my little girl.’

  ‘Mrs Anderson. I still can’t believe my luck. Avril’s more than I ever dreamed I would ever meet. I’m not even sorry we’ve done things slightly askew; we’ll make it work, I promise. We have a lifetime to put the rest in place.’

  Will’s hand rested on my shoulder and he kissed my cheek. His chest protruded proudly, and I felt his arm slip around my waist. I admired him for his handling of the news, despite having a few days to digest it all. I would never have expected him to stay so calm. We stood united, watching as my friends – my twins’ ‘aunties’ – rushing around fussing and congratulating them. Tandy, I then noticed, was snapping photos with her phone. Both Will and I obliged with a proud smile and Avril and David joined us glistening with happiness.

  ‘Is there going to be a wedding?’ Will asked. I nearly choked. He sounded so like a proper father – nothing like my own.

  Avril was being fussed over, but David turned, hearing Will’s question.

  ‘We are in the process of getting a mortgage for a flat in South London. We are waiting to hear. If we can save once we have our own home, we will get married as soon as we can.’

  Will held up his palm. ‘No, I am Avril’s father. I insist – or rather we insist. I know it’s old-fashioned, but Kim and I will be happy to pay for your wedding. When you’re , of course.’

  ‘But, Dad, we want to get married in London. I know you’ll be disappointed but …’

  Will interrupted. ‘London is fine,’ he said ruffling up my top as he squeezed my waist. ‘I’ve had your mother nagging me these last few years to come back, so guess who’s going to lose the argument now there’s a grandchild on the way.’

  Will’s head locked to mine for a few seconds and, wondering if my ears were fooling me, I asked, ‘You mean that?’

  ‘You think you’re the only one who wants to be near our girls and grandchildren? I can work here too.’

  I’d never squeezed him so tight. ‘Oh, Will,’ I sang peering at Avril, and for the first time, spotting a roundness in her frame.

  Ginny spun from her seat, charging up to me and making every effort to lift her arms to hug me. ‘Oh, sweetheart, wishes can come true,’ she said. ‘My hugest congratulations. I’m so thrilled for you all.’ In seconds it seemed midnight had struck early as hugs and kisses spread like wildfire around our corner. Food and Champagne was snatched from our plates as we nattered loudly and excitedly. Then Stefano turned on the TV for the New Year countdown.

  ‘This is going to be the best year ever,’ I said to those around me, which was everyone, Will, Avril and David, Mai, Ginny, Neil, and the girls, Tandy, Jean-Pierre. ‘Five, Four, Three, Two, One … Happy New Year!’

  Chapter 23

  Ginny

  ‘Happy New Year, darling Kim. I can’t wait for you to get home to England,’ I said, hugging her and then Will. ‘You must all come and stay whilst you’re searching for a place,’ I said as Will and the girls kissed her. Then Lou, Cathy and Angie came and grabbed us, tossing us our coats and inserting a flute into each of our hands as we raced outside to the square. Everyone followed. Neil helped me get my coat on. Large droplets of snow wet my hair and face as I stepped out to the terrace, but I didn’t care. I felt my heart racing with sheer joy. This place had a real air of magic and I wanted to savour every particle.

  As the last don
g of the bell chimed, we linked arms for ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ I grabbed Neil as Angie pulled Christoff beside her and we all sang as we marched to the music in and out.

  Once the dancing stopped, Neil took me in his arms. His lips gently brushing mine at first, then he whispered, ‘Happy New Year, Ginny.’ Before I could say it back, his lips pressed on mine, exploring every angle slowly until it touched the nucleus of a magical bubble. Neil pierced my core. But my heart and head were tectonic plates, grinding in opposite directions. He was special, my heart was certain, but my instinct and head screamed otherwise. Not only had I only known him a few days, but also mentally, I had a way to go. The sediments of my life with Mike needed draining and a new rock needed to form. I needed to operate as Ginny. How could I entertain a stranger in my home? Or go to a strange man’s?

  It would take another year to recover, regain my composure. How could I consider a relationship? Music began playing and I recognised the opening. We ended the kiss with a peck, a snowflake in between. We both laughed. As I stepped back for air, Neil steadied me, holding me close. The Flowers cheered behind us, clapping their hands, the words to ‘Waterloo’ fusing in my ears. I felt myself blush and hearing the song I knew so well, I had to let Neil know, I hadn’t met my Waterloo.

  ‘Let’s have a gentle dance,’ Neil said, his hand wrapping around mine. We were all then in a circle, dancing to Abba.

  ‘I think we’ve all met our Waterloo this week,’ Kim yelled as the song played. I continued with the dance, but when it finished, I steeled my lips.

  Above the noise of the music I shouted. ‘Neil, we have to talk.’

  The cheerful expression on his face collapsed. ‘OK,’ he said but I sensed an altered energy.

  ‘Can we go back inside?’

  ‘Erm, yes. Of course,’ he said holding out a hand for me to lead.

  I saw Lou and Cathy frown at one another as I began to follow Neil. Angie scowled, curious, and Kim yelled, ‘Is everything OK? You guys look …’

  Determined, I pushed on, threading my way through the body of the partying crowd. Inside, looking for a quiet spot, we found only waiters racing around with trays of soiled plates and half-empty glasses. I chose a long table that was cleared, not too far from the door, and sat at one end. Neil sat opposite me on the wooden bench, placing an elbow on the corner.

  I sat upright, both elbows on the table and hands clasped for support. I rested my chin on my hands. ‘Neil, I don’t want you to take this personally,’ I started, ‘because I do have feelings for you. But, I can’t do this. Not yet, and maybe not for a long time. It’s all happened too fast.’

  He took one of my hands. ‘Ginny, if the feelings are there, that gives me hope. I realise it’s early for you, but allow yourself to be, give yourself permission to live in the moment. Enjoy the now while you can.’

  ‘I have. I’ve enjoyed this week, your company, the skiing, the mountains, the sunshine, my friends, après-ski, every part of it, very much; everything about it has exceeded my expectations, bar the fall, naturally. But in so many ways, this week has been a huge challenge. Who I am here is not who I am at home. My issue is that I haven’t even begun to begin, or plan to begin my new life. I’m not in that place that I can commit to someone. And I don’t want to.’

  ‘That doesn’t sound like you at all,’ Neil responded. ‘Although, an enigma is what attracts me to you. You are complex.’

  ‘No, Neil. Not necessarily complex, it’s very basic in my eyes. I know I’m not ready to take on a relationship. I need to be honest with you. I feel what we have is deep, and I can’t deal with it. I won’t want to let you down because my normal life, the real life I have to pursue each day, isn’t in place. I can’t lose the Ginny Watts, the wife, mother that I am. It’s difficult to explain.’ I tried to find the right words. ‘I’m not the single Ginny if that makes sense and I can’t just switch. I can’t imagine you being in my home or meeting my children or me staying here with you. I don’t know if you understand. It’s not simple to explain but I feel it could take a long time for me to feel different, so I don’t want to stop you meeting someone else.’

  Watching Neil swallow, I knew he was hurt, but I also knew that I would hurt him more by committing to him. He licked his lips. ‘There won’t be anyone else. I’d given up hope of finding you, if I’m honest.’

  ‘I never meant to lead you on,’ I tried. ‘This week, this … it’s just happened as far as I’m concerned.’

  He shook his head. ‘You haven’t. Not at all. You’ve identified your limitations, told me straight and I don’t want to deal with them. I’m sorry it is what it is. I accept and respect your honesty.’

  I sighed and turned my hand, squeezing his. ‘Thank you. Maybe if we do ski again next year, I hope to be in a different place. I couldn’t expect you to wait though.’

  ‘Well, anytime you want to come out, no commitment, you’re welcome,’ Neil said, then let go of my hand. He cupped his chin with both hands. ‘But can I ask you something?’

  ‘Of course. I’ll forever be your friend, Neil.’

  ‘Theoretical question. If you had fallen off that slope and lost the opportunity to ever feel alive again, even for a few hours, what would you choose to do?’

  I shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘OK, if you broke a leg, who would be there to look after you?’

  I twisted my mouth. ‘No one. My friends … somehow. I don’t know.’ I got his argument, but I didn’t have the answers.

  ‘OK. It’s not a test. Just something to think about. If you returned home and missed me, would you ring?’

  I shrugged again. ‘I really don’t know. I haven’t thought of all these what-ifs.’

  ‘No. And I never did.’ He placed a hand on the table and tapped his fingernails. ‘If you get home and find you miss me, would you call me?’

  I inhaled. ‘Possibly.’

  ‘OK. If I said, while you are sorting everything out in your life, you have a friend who wants to visit, say, in a month, six weeks, someone who will stay in a local hotel, no pressure, but offered to meet up a few times, take you out to lunch, a stroll, or for dinner a few times, maybe in your local, or if you’re more comfortable with your friends, how would you feel about it?’

  ‘I’d probably say, it’s a good idea. It could be a welcome break.’

  ‘But if you got home and didn’t like that idea, what would you do?’

  ‘Cancel.’

  ‘So, would that idea be a compromise to where you are in your plans for the future?’

  ‘Possibly.’

  ‘Would you like to think about this proposal and analyse it?’

  I laughed. ‘Let me ask you something?’

  ‘OK.’

  ‘Am I really the first woman you have met and had feelings for in six years?’

  ‘Bull’s eye!’

  We both stood and as his arms opened, I fell into them.

  ‘I think I may have met my Waterloo after all,’ I said, finding his lips. ‘And, as long as there’s no pressure, I might cope with a visit or two.’

  ‘Well, take it one step at a time. Let me come and see you. See how you feel. Think of it as an escape from your daily battles.’ Neil grinned.

  I squeezed Neil’s hand. ‘I certainly will,’ I said. ‘And, I won’t be defeated by a mountain either. I can’t wait to tell the Flowers. I’ll be celebrating my sixtieth end of February too, so maybe we can do something special with our friends and their husbands. They’re yours too.’ I smiled to myself; this was exactly what we were talking about earlier. Making something work. And Neil had just demonstrated to me a great way of approaching it. It was odd because I’ve always asked questions in my job; they came as second nature. But, this way, Neil had erased any pressure.

  Pleased with the outcome, I let out a sigh. ‘And, in the morning, I want to get back on the slope and ski again and I hope Kim will come along too.’

  ‘That’s the spirit.’

  ‘But th
en—’ I stroked his arm, reaching for his hand ‘—I’d love to walk and lunch by the lake with you if that’s still OK? As long as I can come back for our last après-ski.’

  Neil’s eyes melted me with their sparkle. ‘Ginny. I’m happy with whatever makes you happy. You’ve brought sunshine into my life this week. I told you, my heart is pumping again, and I’m savvy enough to know I can’t have that all year, but you’re welcome here anytime; winter, summer if you want to come travelling, or back in the UK when I’m home.’

  ‘That’s very kind, Neil. Thank you. Maybe in a few months. Come on,’ I said pulling his hand. ‘Let’s join the ladies on the piste.’

  Neil clutched my waist as we wandered towards the door. ‘I would love that. Meanwhile, you concentrate on building that fresh start, what passions to follow, choices to make. I have faith you’ll do what is right for you.’ He pulled out his wallet and took out a piece of paper. ‘I’ve written down my phone and email details. Keep them safe. You send me details of a local hotel and set a date. Not February half-term, I have kids and grandkids out, but a date that suits you. We’ll meet and see how you feel. You can decide if and when to come out. Or, you can just ring for a chat.’

  The girls rushed up to me as Neil and I joined them in the crowd. ‘Is everything all right?’ Kim yelled.

  I smiled as the music faded. ‘I couldn’t have imagined a better outcome,’ I yelled and immediately froze at the heads turning. I giggled and shrugged, then as the girls stopped laughing I said, ‘Girls, I’ve learned so much this week. Neil and I will take it slow. I’ve still so much to do and learn, but I couldn’t have moved this far without you all; thank you for bringing me.’

  Angie held out her arms. ‘Group hug,’ and the signature sound of Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ wailed. Our favourite. We danced for another hour, our coats and jackets, hair and skin soaked by the giant flakes of snow, my body soothed and lifted by the music.

  * * *

  The following morning, I skied. Slowly at first, on the nursery run with Neil, then we joined the Flowers on that very piste I had slid from. Naturally, I was quivering initially, but as many skiers were still in their rooms nursing hangovers, the slope was clear and I relaxed, carving smoothly down the soft snow of the wide slope, making lovely turns, and even as we got to the dreaded junction, the strength from those around me was palpable. I glided back to the lift easily, their love cheering me on.