Chalet Girls

by Lorraine Wilson

  Chapter 20

  SOPHIE

  Going home to the Lake District with Luc always feels strange. He belongs to my new life, not the old. The drive from the airport brings back memories. The gently rolling hills gradually turn into craggy mountain tops. Fields are populated with Herdwick sheep and broken up with hand-built stone walls. It’s sleeting, but I always think the Cumbrian landscape is still beautiful in rain and mist, just in a different way.

  Dad is driving us and he chats to Luc about the bar business and Swiss taxation, his retired accountant genes asserting themselves. I tune out, unable to concentrate, my fingers twisting in my lap as I contemplate trying to talk Mum round.

  I hate, hate, hate upsetting people. This time I can’t see a way round it. Mum’s waiting for us at home because she’s got cakes in the oven. I half long to see her, half dread it.

  Luc’s presence at my side helps keep my jitters in check. I know he’ll help me say what’s needed.

  Mum hugs me tight when she sees me. ‘It’s so good to see you both. I’ve really missed you, darling.’

  Guilt squirms inside me and my chest is tight. I feel hot as we sit at the kitchen table with Mum.

  Dad is out in the garden doing goodness knows what. He’s probably hiding in the shed, having sensed impending conflict. The coward. He’s happily delegated the referee role to Luc.

  Mind you, I’m not much better. We both avoid confrontation wherever possible. I think it’s a side effect of living with Mum. I’m sure part of the reason Luc has come to England with me is because he doesn’t trust me not to back out. He says he’s come along to support me, but whatever his reasons it will help me get the deed done.

  Mum has put out enough Victoria sponge and fruit cake to populate a bake sale and has already fetched the wedding binders, magazines and swatches for me to look at. I gaze at the pile and try to control my rising tide of panic. Luc takes my hand and the tide recedes a little.

  ‘I’m so pleased you’ve come home, darling. We don’t have much time, so I thought we could get started right away.’ Her eyes are bright with excitement and I feel a fresh wave of guilt.

  I’m pre-programmed to please. It’s the way I’m wired. The problem is now, with too many to please, I’m frozen, my brain fused.

  I open my mouth to say something and then shut it again. I feel the weight of expectation from Luc at my side. This isn’t good enough, I have to try harder. I can’t disappoint Luc and now I’m getting married keeping him happy should take priority over placating Mum.

  ‘Mum, before we discuss details there’s something we need to talk about.’ I begin firmly, before I can back out again.

  Her gaze drops to my stomach and I flinch, knowing she’s thinking I’m pregnant, that the doctors got it wrong after all.

  I falter and Luc squeezes my hand under the table.

  I clear my throat. ‘We need to talk about where we’re going to have the wedding.’

  ‘I thought we decided on the hotel with garden frontage onto Ullswater?’ Mum frowns. ‘I’ve already spoken to the events planner there.’

  ‘No I …’ I want to say we haven’t decided anything and she’s been ignoring my emails.

  ‘You really can’t keep changing your mind, Sophie, it creates a lot of extra work for me.’ Mum huffs and brings the teapot over from the kitchen counter to top our mugs. ‘More cake, Luc?’

  She smiles tightly at him and fails to offer me any extra cake. I grind my back teeth, rendered temporarily speechless.

  ‘Maybe in a minute, Sandra, the sponge is delicious.’ Luc smiles back at her while giving me another hand-squeeze, stronger this time. Mum’s frosty demeanour melts. ‘The thing is my dad is seriously ill, and he’s not been given a great prognosis. He’s not allowed to travel and he really wants to see his only son marry. So the wedding is going to have to be in Switzerland.’

  Mum’s forehead creases and she sits down with a bump, her lips pursed.

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this, Sophie?’

  Aargh. What? Are you kidding me? I resist the urge to smack my head against the table. I’m about to defend myself and produce the emails I sent her as evidence when Luc puts a hand on my knee.

  I get the message. He wants to handle this. And I am perfectly happy to let him.

  ‘The thing is, Sandra, Sophie has been terribly upset. She wants nothing more than to make you happy, even if it means going along with a wedding she wouldn’t have chosen for us. She also wants to make me happy, and my parents. In fact the only person she doesn’t seem bothered about making happy is herself and I don’t think that’s right, do you?’

  My cheeks grow hot and I stare down at my hand linked with Luc’s.

  ‘Well of course …’ Mum nods, but fails to finish her sentence. An unusual state of affairs Luc takes full advantage of.

  ‘I know you and Derek would hate your daughter to be getting so stressed and unhappy about planning what is meant to be a happy day for her. We can’t have her getting so unhappy that she feels the need to postpone getting married indefinitely.’ His tone implies that Mum must surely agree with him. It’s a clever move to mention putting the wedding on hold. Somehow I think that might be a more persuasive argument than my stress levels. ‘I’m confident we can work out a compromise that will enable both you and Derek and my parents to be present.

  Amazingly Mum is nodding. I almost fall off my chair in shock.

  ‘Well, of course, all we want is for Sophie to be happy. She only had to say if she didn’t want what I’ve been planning for her.’ She smiles guilelessly, looking utterly innocent.

  I almost implode with the effort to keep my mouth shut.

  Excuse me? I’ve been trying to do exactly that for weeks! Clearly I should have deployed my secret weapon, namely Luc, much earlier. My secret weapon tightens his hold on my hand, but his warning for me to stay quiet isn’t needed. I have no intention of interrupting a master at work. If the bar ever fails perhaps I should suggest a job in Geneva at the United Nations for him. Anyone capable of managing Mum could easily sort out warring countries.

  ‘What we’d like is to marry in Switzerland,’ Luc continues. ‘It seems to be the only viable solution. We can help you apply for a pet passport for Toby and make the arrangements for the pre-return vet appointment at our end. For other relatives there are plenty of cheap flights from the UK to Geneva and we’re perfectly happy to forgo wedding presents to help with travel costs. Simply having the presence of those who care about Sophie at the wedding will be gift enough.’

  ‘If you could help with the pet passport arrangements that would really ease my mind.’ Mum smiles tentatively at Luc.

  I grind my teeth in earnest now. How many times have I offered to do exactly that? But I hold my tongue. I don’t want to spoil the good job Luc is doing. I push my annoyance aside. The important thing is that Mum listens – it doesn’t matter who she listens to.

  ‘I was thinking you could help me pick my dress, Mum, while I’m here. I also still need shoes and to decide what to put in my hair. Maybe we would go shopping tomorrow?’

  I hand over my peace offering, mentally crossing everything that it’ll be accepted.

  Her face brightens. ‘Yes of course, love. I’ve got a list in one of my binders of the best places to go. Some of them are appointment-only so I’d better get on the phone.’

  ‘And maybe I could give you my mother’s email address?’ Luc suggests. ‘We can think about how to plan this in a way that will suit everyone. We just need to come up with the right compromise.’

  As Mum bustles off to make some calls I exhale loudly.

  ‘My hero. I think you missed your calling, you should be negotiating peace treaties for the UN.’ I lean my head against Luc’s shoulder. ‘I’ve been trying to make all the points you made for the past few months and she ignored me. You say the same thing once and she gives in immediately! It’s really not fair.’

  I can only think she must be susceptible
to Luc’s charms. That and she knows she can’t manipulate him like she can me so she doesn’t dare try. The threat of wedding postponement was a good incentive too, I’m sure.

  ‘What sort of wedding would you choose if you didn’t have to think about pleasing anyone else?’ Luc asks, putting his arm around me. I lean my head against his shoulder.

  ‘I like what Amelia has planned – a chapel surrounded by the snow and mountains we love so much. A winter wonderland reception with our friends and the relatives who care enough about me to travel out to Switzerland. Max running around trying to con guests into feeding him the contents of the buffet and the wedding cake. Problem is, how exactly are we going to arrange a wedding to take place in the next few months?’ I sigh into his chest. ‘According to Amelia’s wedding-planner checklist I should’ve started six months, if not a year ago.’

  ‘Actually, I think I have an idea about that,’ Luc replies. ‘Leave it to me.’

  Chapter 21

  From: benross21@yahoo.com

  To: lucy.ross@hotmail.com

  Subject: Famous Boyfriend

  You didn’t tell me Seb was famous, Lucy! Have you seen the news? There’s an article I found here on the BBC news website: ‘Snowboard Addict Cheats Death’

  Be careful, okay? I’d hate to see you get hurt. Although I have to say, apart from the high-risk lifestyle I thoroughly approve of your choice. Anyone who can charm Mum has to be a sound bloke.

  Ben

  LUCY

  ‘I’ve decided, Lucy, that this year’s Xtreme will be my last.’ Seb exhales loudly. ‘It’s the right time to withdraw, while I’m on top of the game. The film side of White Lines is taking off in such a huge way it makes more sense to focus on that.’

  I feel something unclench inside me, a releasing of tension, of a fear so powerful it was twisting me up inside. We’re lying in bed in Seb’s flat, our limbs entwined, resting after another of his highly enjoyable sex education lessons. When he said he intended to teach me everything he knew he hadn’t been joking.

  We’ve been back in Switzerland for over a week now and every time I think about the Verbier Xtreme coming up I feel sick. Knowing it will be his last competition helps a little.

  ‘I can’t say I’m not glad that you won’t be in as much danger,’ I reply, choosing my words carefully.

  ‘You know I’ll never do a safe job, don’t you? Can you imagine me chained to a desk job? And it was while we were filming that the avalanche happened.’ He fixes his intense gaze on me, questioning me and searching for an answer. We are lying so close that when our gaze locks it feels as if he can see into my soul.

  I do realise his work will always include an element of danger. The filming is dangerous, but at least he can stay in control of his decisions. He won’t be constantly pushed to take a risk too far to stay ahead. It was his admission that the younger guys coming up against him in competitions were willing to be increasingly reckless to win that gave me nightmares, more than anything else.

  ‘I know and I can’t ever see myself doing a desk job either. I understand what drives you, that your work will always have some element of danger and I promise I’ll do my best to support you,’ I reply carefully, meaning it.

  ‘Thank you.’ He pulls me to him and plants a kiss on my lips.

  It’s the least I can do after all the support he gave me in Scotland. I’m still amazed that he managed to win Mum round. But then Seb is very charismatic – he can’t help charming people, even when he’s not trying, and he did make an effort with Mum. He expressed deepest sympathy for her loss, complimented her cooking, asked lots of questions about Highland culture and wowed her with tales of travel to the Arctic and Greenland. He even talked about my growing skill on the slopes. Gradually she thawed a little and I think she even smiled a few times.

  It definitely helped having him there. He filled awkward silences and took me out for drives when I needed to escape. Mum was nicer to me in front of him. I suppose she had no choice, really. Bitchiness is reserved as an ‘only in front of the family’ speciality. In front of strangers and guests a polite front must be maintained at all times.

  When it was eventually time for me to leave I felt things had shifted between us. She saw me more as an adult following a serious career choice, rather than a girl who ran away to drink cocktails and frolic in the snow.

  Personally I don’t think the two options are incompatible.

  Not since I met Seb, anyway.

  I think Mum has reluctantly accepted I’ve escaped her sphere of influence and she can’t control me with her usual passive-aggressive emotional blackmail. It was great being able to compare notes with Sophie about difficult mother-daughter relationships on the Valentine’s Day treasure hunt. It’s reassuring to realise I’m not the only one who struggles to get on with her mum.

  ‘I bet Gabriella is happy about your decision to stop competing,’ I say, watching Seb’s face for a reaction.

  ‘She doesn’t know yet – you’re the first to know.’

  ‘Oh.’ I smile, more pleased about that than I probably should be. ‘It’ll make her happy, though.’

  ‘I gave up working out how to keep Gabriella happy a long time ago. It was an impossibility.’ Seb pulls a face. ‘It’s much better now we’re just friends. I know she wants me to stop altogether. She never got why I needed to do it. It was one of the main things we argued about.’

  ‘Well, I do understand giving up isn’t an option for you. It’s not going to happen. I get it. The mountains are like eating or breathing to you. They’re in your blood.’ I rest my cheek on his bare chest. I can feel his heart pulsing. I don’t get why you’d want someone to change who they are if you claim to love them. Seb wouldn’t be Seb if you took the mountains out of his life.

  ‘I know you get it. Gabriella always said I loved them so much I had no room to love anyone else, but she was wrong. I love Estelle and now I think I’m definitely falling in love with you, Lucy Lu.’ His dark eyes are fixed on mine and my pulse quickens.

  ‘I think I’m falling in love too.’ I admit, but as he pulls me closer I can’t help wondering if I’m being naive to believe him. Maybe this is how he talks to all the women he dates. I don’t know enough about dating, I’m not worldly wise enough. How am I meant to tell?

  I lied to him, though. I’ve already fallen in love with him. It happened a long time ago. I’m invested in Seb, body and soul, and if he doesn’t feel the same about me I’m in for a big fall.

  Chapter 22

  SOPHIE

  ‘Are you sure you don’t mind, Amelia?’ I ask cautiously, eyeing her over the café table. We‘ve been back in Verbier for a while now and Luc has refused to talk about his plan until today, just insisting I trust him. He obviously took that time to approach Amelia and Matt.

  ‘Of course not, we‘ve been friends for years. How could I refuse to help you out, especially given you came to our rescue with a reception venue? It‘ll be fun.’ Amelia‘s smile appears genuine.

  ‘But agreeing to share your wedding, well, it‘s incredibly generous of you.’

  Luc‘s idea, to make it a double wedding, is genius – after all we‘ll both be inviting lots of the same guests. Also it‘s probably the only way we can marry this season, while Luc‘s dad is well enough to attend.

  Plus Amelia‘s wedding is exactly what I‘d choose if given the choice.

  ‘Well, you‘ve already done lots to help plan the reception and, as I said, we wouldn‘t have a venue if it wasn‘t for you and Luc.’ Amelia smiles again.

  I feel guilty of misjudging her. It looks as if there are depths to her shallows after all. I get on with her but never considered her a friend in the same league as Tash and Sophie. I didn‘t know she had it in her to be unselfish.

  ‘It makes sense, given we‘ve got the same friends coming. Also this way we can share the cost.’ Amelia‘s smile now has a hint of smugness about it.

  Ah, there‘s the Amelia I know and love.

&nbs
p; Holly enters the café, Maddie‘s car seat in one hand.

  ‘Does Sophie know yet?’ she asks excitedly.

  I nod, smiling. I can still hardly believe it‘s happening and without Mum going into meltdown. There‘s still time for that, I suppose, but the early signs remain good.

  ‘I‘ve had an idea.’ Holly sinks onto a chair and puts Maddie‘s car seat down gently beside her.

  I peer in and see Maddie is fast asleep.

  ‘Hot chocolate on the house?’ I offer. ‘Amelia?’

  They both accept the offer and as I’m stirring rich chocolate powder into frothy milk Amelia joins Holly at her table.

  ‘Sophie, can you sit down for ten minutes?’ Holly asks.

  I glance around the bar, we’re still quiet.

  ‘Okay.’ I slip in next to Amelia. ‘What’s your idea then, Holly?’

  ‘Well, we’ve not got any guests booked in next week so I thought we could use the other girls, draft them in as assistant wedding coordinators and pine-cone painters. Also, given you’re getting married at the end of the season we could block out Chalets Amélie and Repos for accommodation for your families. Amelia, your family may as well join you at Repos and Sophie, your family could use Amélie. You should stay overnight with them so you‘re not with Luc the night before the wedding. We can send Matt to stay with Luc or Scott the night before maybe?’

  ‘Are you sure? But you might get a booking in.’ I don‘t want to protest too much. I feel a thrill at the idea of staying in Chalet Amélie. It would be nice to use the spa. Mum would love it.

  ‘I doubt it, it‘s not school holidays anywhere.’ Holly says. ‘Anyway, it‘s only for a couple of days and it can be our wedding present to you, if that makes you feel better.’

  ‘It‘ll be fun to all work together again.’ I smile. ‘We might have to do most of the planning here at Bar des Amis, though, especially with Luc going up to Vex most days.’