Chalet Girls

by Lorraine Wilson

  Once we’ve got drinks and found seats Seb puts an arm around Estelle. ‘What shall we do tomorrow, Estelle?’ He asks. ‘We could go to the snow park?’

  Estelle rolls her eyes. ‘You know Mum doesn’t let you take me to the snow park unless she’s there too. Not since I broke my wrist.’

  Seb’s eyes darken. ‘I thought you explained what happened?’

  ‘I’ve told her like a million times, Dad,’ Estelle replies indignantly. ‘She just keeps on saying you’re, what was the word? Reckless, that was it, or was it feckless?’

  She attacks her cake pop with relish, apparently unaware of the pain her words are causing Seb.

  ‘Surely she knows I would never, ever endanger …’ Seb stares into the middle distance and mutters, his hands clenching into fists.

  I rest a hand on his forearm, feeling the tension in his muscles. I move my hand down to cover his and tease his fingers out of their hard knot to interlink with mine. I’m coming to realise Seb’s moods are as transient as mountain weather – dark clouds one minute and glorious sunshine the next.

  I feel a momentary flash of annoyance on Seb’s behalf. I’m completely positive Seb would never take a risk with his daughter’s safety.

  ‘What did happen?’ I ask.

  ‘Another child lost control of his snowboard and crashed into her. Estelle was standing nearby, she wasn’t even moving at the time.’

  ‘Oh.’ I bite my lip. I really shouldn’t get involved. But maybe Gabriella would be happier if I promised to go to the snow park with Estelle and Seb. I could always ask. It would be a fun thing to do together.

  I glance over at Sophie and Luc. They’re slow-dancing and seem totally oblivious to everyone else. A smile spreads across my face. They are so sweet together. Luc utterly adores Sophie. Just look at the trouble he goes to, setting treasure hunts for her. From the besotted expression on her face, I think she might finally believe he loves her.

  ‘They look so happy,’ I murmur to Seb.

  ‘Can we dance, Daddy?’ Estelle asks, wiping her mouth with a napkin, cake pop finished.

  ‘It wouldn’t be polite to leave Lucy sitting on her own, sweetheart,’ Seb replies.

  ‘Oh I don’t mind …’

  Estelle interrupts me. ‘Why can’t Lucy dance with us?’

  ‘Why not?’ Seb raises an eyebrow.

  ‘Okay.’ I stand up and Seb and I form a protective circle around Estelle.

  When it comes to dancing, let’s just say Estelle’s enthusiasm outstrips her abilities. Soon we are all giggling and after many missteps on our toes it’s decided we’ll do much better if she rests her feet on top of Seb’s.

  I can’t remember laughing so much. When we sit back down, Seb is dispatched to fetch us drinks. He hobbles away, pretending that Estelle has crippled him.

  ‘You have to marry my Daddy, Lucy. I’ve decided,’ Estelle proclaims, fixing me with a determined stare. ‘You will, won’t you?’

  ‘Um, well he hasn’t actually asked me to marry him, you know. It’s quite a serious decision and we haven’t been together for very long.’ I feel hopelessly out of my depth. Am I supposed to be honest? What’s the proper grown-up answer? I have no idea, so it’s going to have to be the truth.

  ‘Oh he’ll ask you, Lucy. I’ve already told him he has to.’ Estelle fixes me with a gimlet glare. It’s so like Seb’s expression when he’s determined that I have to keep myself from laughing.

  Okay, then.

  ‘I love your daddy very much, Estelle,’ I say the only true thing I’m sure of.

  ‘So do I.’ Estelle slips her hand into mine, so trusting.

  I decide I’ll do my best to encourage and support her. I’m determined whatever happens, I’m not going to repeat my mother’s behaviour patterns.

  Seb looks over at us from where he’s trying to balance two cocktails and a fruit juice. He smiles, his craggy face splitting wide with a grin. I’m reminded, as always, of sunshine breaking through the clouds.

  ‘Okay?’ He mouths.

  I nod. I most certainly, definitely am.

  From: lucy.ross@hotmail.com

  To: benross21@yahoo.com

  Subject: Good News

  Hi Ben,

  Seb has asked me to move in with him and I’ve said yes :-)

  Do you fancy breaking the news to Mum for me?

  Lucy

  xx

  From: benross21@yahoo.com

  To: lucy.ross@hotmail.com

  Subject: Seriously?

  No no no no no no no!

  I’m very pleased for you, little sis, I think you’re great together, but you want me to break the news to Mum you’re going to be living in sin? I’d rather poke my eyes out with a pitchfork. Does she know he has a child from another relationship yet?

  Mum is always going to be Mum, I’m afraid. She won’t take it well.

  Just a thought, but do we really have to tell her? Maybe you could come back in the summer with Seb and break it to her then. Or, better still, wait until you’re engaged, that would probably pacify her. I hope!

  Seriously, though, congratulations. I am happy for you :-)

  Ben

  From: gabriella@gmail.ch

  To: Sebastien@whitelinep‌roductions.fr

  Subject: New Girlfriend

  Hi Seb,

  I like Lucy a lot. I think she’s good for you, she seems pretty grounded. I know Estelle adores her. After a visit to you I hear nothing but ‘Lucy this’ and ‘Lucy that’! It’s very sweet.

  Anyway, I’m emailing because I’ve had a chat with Lucy about snow-park visits and I’ve changed my mind. I’d be happy for you all to go to the snow park together this weekend.

  It’s not that I doubt your love for Estelle for a second. It’s always been about my fear that she’ll learn to be a risk-taker from you. We’re always going to have to agree to disagree on that subject. I do think Lucy’s calm, practical nature will help to balance things out. At least then Estelle will have two different approaches to observe and learn from.

  Have fun at the snow park and I hope you nail it in the Verbier Xtreme. You know I won’t come to watch and won’t be bringing Estelle and why. Sorry. Just promise me you’ll stay safe. Okay?

  Take care,

  Gabriella

  Chapter 27

  BETH

  ‘So Beth, are you coming with me for the summer?’

  Dan pulls me closer and I rest the side of my head against his chest.

  It feels bizarre to be slow-dancing in the middle of a shimmering, silver forest. That‘s what the marquee feels like, anyway. I get a burst of pride whenever I see my pine cones. Amelia might be a task-master, but she definitely has an eye for design. It‘s satisfying that I helped create something so beautiful. It was fun too. It made a change from cooking and cleaning.

  Somehow my plan to come to Verbier to find security has gone by the wayside, but I really don‘t think I care. The lure of fun, of life being about more than surviving or staying safe is intoxicating. It fizzes with possibilities, like champagne bubbles on my tongue.

  ‘To be a yacht girl? Would we really be able to get work together?’ The Kir Royales must‘ve gone to my head because I feel a little giddy. I sway with Dan to the music, trusting him to guide me and hold me upright.

  ‘Sure, my mate Hal is the captain of one of those mega-yachts. They need a staff of thirty and if I ask him you can get taken on as a stew.’

  ‘A stew? Like braised beef and onions?’ I laugh.

  ‘Stew is short for stewardess.’ Dan kisses the top of my head. ‘I‘d love to have you with me. You know my favourite Winnie the Pooh quote – ‘It‘s so much friendlier with two.’ What do you think?’

  ‘I think it could be fun.’ I gaze up at him.

  ‘Fun? You‘re choosing to do something because it could be fun? That is definitely progress, Beth.’ He lowers his voice. ‘So … there‘s no other reason?’

  ‘Maybe.’ I smile into his chest.

&nbs
p; ‘There‘s another quote I love.’ Dan holds me close. ‘One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love.’

  ‘Another Winnie the Pooh quote?’ I ask.

  ‘No, Sophocles.’ Dan laughs.

  ‘Dan …’ I bite my lip.

  ‘Beth?’ He quirks an eyebrow.

  ‘Why me?’ I swallow hard, trying to put the brakes on, to hide my feelings of insecurity. I feel like damaged goods. I know I’m not, but knowing and feeling are sometimes worlds apart. I look up at him. We’ve stopped dancing. We’re surrounded by glittering silver and people wearing their fanciest clothes and best smiles.

  ‘Are you fishing for a compliment, Beth?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ My pulse quickens and my insecurities jump up and down, hollering like naughty children. I ignore them, focusing only on Dan‘s smiley eyes and kind face and how it feels to have his arms around me.

  ‘I love you. Every little bit of you. You know you said you liked Piglet best because he was brave despite his fears?’

  I nod.

  ‘Well, that‘s you, you‘re brave and strong and smart. Also I can be myself with you. Do you know how rare that is?’

  ‘Yes, I do,’ I whisper. ‘I feel the same. I love you too.’

  ‘So, come away with me, Beth. We can travel and see the world. There‘s more than one way to live.’

  The pull of a potential adventure hand in hand with Dan is irresistible. It occurs to me that while he might believe in living in the moment, in the ‚now‘, as he calls it, he‘s never given me any cause to believe he‘s a ‚just for now‘ boyfriend. Quite the opposite, in fact.

  ‘Okay, let‘s do it,’ I grin. ‘There‘s got to be more to life than settling down and financial security. It‘s not like I‘ve got a mortgage to pay.’

  ‘Actually, I‘ve got one of those. I kept my London flat and I‘m renting it out, so it‘s paying for itself. I said I was adventurous, I never said I was foolish. Anyway, you‘ll earn a lot on the yacht. It‘s hard work, but the tips alone will be more than you‘ve made all season here.’

  ‘I knew there was a sensible lawyer hiding in there somewhere,’ I grin.

  ‘Just do me a favour and don‘t tell anyone,’ he mock-whispers into my ear and whisks me further into the shimmering forest to dance.

  The season is officially over and I‘m stowing my bags in lockers and climbing into the passenger seat of Dan‘s campervan.

  ‘Ready to go?’ He puts the key in the ignition.

  I nod. Holly said I could stay on if I wanted, as they’ve got lots of summer bookings for mountain-biking and hiking groups, but I said thanks but no thanks, with absolutely no doubt in my mind that my future lies with Dan.

  ‘You’re sure about this?’ Dan reaches over and lightly rests his hand in mine.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure,’ I smile.

  ‘You’re sure you’re sure?’

  ‘Yes. I’m absolutely positive I’m sure I’m sure.’

  Dan fixes his penetrating gaze on me. ‘Why?’

  ‘Are you fishing for a compliment?’ I ask, wondering if he remembers our conversation the night of the wedding.

  ‘Absolutely.’ Dan grins as he repeats the answer I gave him back then.

  ‘Because in the words of a certain bear ‘any day spent with you is my favourite day’ and ‘As soon as I saw you I knew an adventure was going to happen’.’ My lips twitch.

  ‘You listened to the Winnie the Pooh audiobook I bought you?’ Dan grins, delighted I’ve not only listened to it but taken the time to memorise some quotes.

  ‘Uh huh.’ I click my seat belt on and settle back into the seat. ‘And you’re right, it’s just as much fun listening to it as an adult. But I still think you’re a big kid. It’s just as well I’m coming along to keep an eye on you.’

  ‘How about we agree to look out for each other?’ Dan backs the camper van out of its space.

  ‘You’re a bit close to that concrete post.’

  ‘Hmm. That wasn’t quite what I meant.’ He rolls his eyes. ‘And if we’re going to talk about spatial awareness, how about we discuss the time you took out a whole queue of skiers on the button lift?’

  ‘How about we don’t.’ I say, but can’t help muttering. ‘I had to jump sidewise to avoid that little girl, what happened next wasn’t really my fault.’

  ‘If you say so. Just don’t knock anyone overboard when we’re on the yacht, okay? They tend to frown on that, especially if it’s a guest you give an unexpected swim.’ Dan smirks and if he wasn’t driving I’d probably clout him one. In love, obviously.

  As we pull onto the road out of Verbier, the sun is setting, turning the mountaintops gold and streaking the sky with hues of rose and amber.

  I’m done just surviving. Dan is right. And so is Winnie the Pooh! Life shouldn’t be just a problem to be solved, but an adventure to be lived. Otherwise what’s the point?

  I turn to look at Dan. He catches me looking and grins, that sunny, easy smile that always makes me beam back and never fails to make me feel floaty and light. If life is an adventure then love is one of Dan’s smiles.

  I’ve got it bad.

  We reach a fork in the road – left for Italy via the St Bernard tunnel or right for France.

  ‘Left or right? You choose.’

  ‘Seriously?’ I ask.

  ‘Yes, we can go both ways, there’s no great hurry to get down to the Riviera. We can take our time getting to the yacht.’

  ‘Left, then. I’ve never been to Italy.’ I bring up the map on my phone so I can see our route.

  Dan takes the left-hand lane and a sign with a St Bernard dog, complete with barrel around its neck, informs us we’ve entered the St Bernard Valley.

  ‘You know I did have another favourite children’s book series growing up. Dr Dolittle.’ I smile. ‘The bits of the stories I loved weren’t the talking-to-animals parts, but when they opened up a map and randomly planted a pin into it. Then they had to go wherever the pin landed on the map.’

  ‘I remember that. And they always had these amazing adventures. Why don’t we do it? You could open up the Italy map so it fills your phone screen and drop a pin with your fingertip. The modern way.’

  ‘You promise we’ll go there?’

  ‘I promise.’

  I do as he says and then close my eyes and put my fingertip on the map. ‘Okay then, let’s go.’

  As I spell out the Italian town name for Dan to put into his satnav I finger the Winnie the Pooh pendant at my neck and know Dan is right. Whatever happens next it will definitely be much friendlier with two. He has opened my eyes to see the world differently and, somehow, with stealth and snowballs he has opened up my heart too, allowing me to feel, to trust and to love. With each day that passes I have a feeling Dan might turn out to be an adventure that lasts a lifetime.

  From: lucy.ross@hotmail.com

  To: beth.chapman@yahoo.com

  Subject: News!

  Hi Beth,

  I have news!!! Seb won the Verbier Xtreme for the third year running :-)

  I’m so relieved he’s retiring from competitions on a high. He’ll be spending more time film-skiing now. White Lines is going really well.

  The other bit of news I’ve got is that Seb asked me to move in with him and I said yes! I’ve told Holly I’m still happy to work for her this summer, I just won’t be living in. I know we’ve only known each other for a few months, but it feels right. I still can’t believe I’m using words like ‘feels right’, but I guess you know what I mean, given you’re off travelling with Dan the van ;-)

  I can’t believe you’re off to the French Riviera to join a super-yacht! I know you’ll be working, but it still sounds super-glam. Hope it all goes well for you and Dan.

  Stay in touch.

  Love,

  Lucy xx

  From: tash.cat@hotmail.com

  To: holly@theluxuryc‌haletcompany.ch

  Subject: Amelia

  Hi Holly,

&
nbsp; Could you have a word with Amelia please? She’s being a right royal pain in the arse and has got super-bossy. You know I can do my job, right? I’ve been doing it for years.

  Please tell her to scrap the performance charts before I do something she’ll regret. I don’t think I’d regret it one bit ;-)

  Ta,

  Kisses to Maddie,

  Tash x

  From: amelia@theluxuryc‌haletcompany.ch

  To: holly@theluxuryc‌haletcompany.ch

  Subject: Employee Appraisals

  Holly,

  I’m trying to implement employee appraisals in accordance with HR best practice but I’m encountering some resistance. If you could send a group email backing me up that might help.

  Thanks,

  Amelia

  From tash.cat@hotmail.com

  To holly@theluxuryc‌haletcompany.ch

  Subject: Moving Out

  Hi Holly,

  Thanks for being so understanding about my decision to move out. I can’t wait to move into the chalet Nate’s buying. It’s that ultra-modern one I was pointing out to you the other day. I think it’ll be fun to split my time between Verbier and London.

  Nate thinks I’d be really great at helping with his mentoring charity. Can you imagine? Me giving advice to someone! He seems convinced, though, and if I can help, I think I’d like to.

  I’d never leave you in the lurch, though, you know that. If you and Scott are ever short-staffed and need a hand, just give me a shout.

  I think we both know if I spend another season under the same roof as Amelia I’d end up sticking her ski pole where the sun doesn’t shine.

  Love Tash x

  From Danthevan@hotmail.com

  To hal@thejunocaelestis.com

  Subject: This Summer/The Juno Caelestis

  Thanks, Hal. It’ll be great to be back on the Juno and working together again. It’s really good of you to give Beth one of the stew positions. You’ll like her. I do, a lot :-) I can’t wait for you to meet her.