What Happens in the Alps...

by T A Williams

  Annie was speechless. ‘I couldn’t possibly accept that. No, you keep the car. I’m happy to do it for nothing.’

  ‘Sorry, Annie, that’s the deal. Take it or leave it.’

  She took a deep breath, trying to argue her way out of it a few more times before eventually accepting the offer. As she set the phone back down again, she was still in shock. A new car?

  Paolina was staring at her. ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘Another accident at Montalto.’ She went on to recount what Massimo had told her. Paolina was very sympathetic towards Daniela.

  ‘Skiing accidents can be awful. A friend of mine at school was killed, you know.’ She changed to a more cheerful subject. ‘At least neither of the accidents happened to your boyfriend at Montalto.’

  ‘He’s not my boyfriend.’ It was an instinctive response but, in fact, as Annie paused for thought, she had to admit to herself that it maybe wasn’t so far from the truth now. Anyway, she sincerely hoped that he would soon earn the title of lover. The boyfriend appellation could come later. ‘But, yes, thank goodness he’s fine.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Right, I need a coffee. Want anything?’ Paolina shook her head.

  When she got back to the school, she found Paolina bubbling with excitement. No sooner had Annie come in than Paolina handed her a letter. ‘A messenger brought it just after you went out. Look, it’s from the fire brigade.’

  Annie tore the envelope open and beamed with joy. The letter was the confirmation that no fewer than nineteen firefighters required English-language tuition. Even better, they intended to join the other adult courses on weekday evenings. Without counting the hotel employees up at Montalto, the school now had over a hundred and fifty enrolments. Annie looked across at Paolina with a beaming smile. ‘Prosecco?’

  ‘What else?’

  Annie was just on her way to the fridge to get the bottle when the doorbell rang. It was Janet. Annie gave her a smile. ‘Hi, Jan. Want a glass of Prosecco? I’ll be back in a flash.’

  ‘Never say no to a glass of fizz.’ Janet hung up her coat while Annie went to get the wine. After Annie had poured and distributed the glasses, Janet looked across at Annie. ‘So, what are you girls celebrating?’

  ‘Students. We’ve got loads of enrolments.’

  They clinked their glasses together and then sat around chatting about the events of the past few days. It was only when Annie told her about Daniela’s accident and Massimo’s plea for help that Janet galvanised Annie’s attention. ‘It’s just as well I dropped in. I was wondering if you wanted help in choosing your dress for the big ball, Cinderella.’

  Annie sat bolt upright. ‘You’re right, Jan. I’d forgotten all about it.’ She glanced at her watch. It was almost six, but all the shops would still be open for at least another hour. Her eyes fell on the fire brigade letter once more and she smiled. At least she should be able to afford a nice dress and maybe some shoes, and some new underwear…

  Chapter 21

  More snow fell over the next three days, but Annie didn’t have time to go skiing. She spent all day at the school and in the evening she took the new teachers and Paolina out for dinner. By the end, she was really pleased at how well they appeared to be knitting together into a coherent team. At ten o’clock, after they had split up for the night, she walked back to her car. Seeing lights on in the school, she went up to investigate. She found Matt in there, still hard at work at his computer. She offered to make him a cup of coffee and then she sat with him as he drank it.

  ‘So, how did it go in Turin? Paolina said it was something about films?’

  ‘That’s right. You remember Luisa?’ Annie nodded. ‘Her husband summoned me to his office for a talk.’ He gave Annie a grin. ‘Well, I reckoned if the meeting was in his office he was unlikely to be trying to kill me, so I went along. And I’m really glad I did.’

  ‘He didn’t try to kill you?’

  ‘Not even a little bit. He was very pleasant and clearly didn’t suspect for a moment that she and I had had our little fling back before Christmas.’

  ‘I imagine that came as a considerable relief.’

  He grinned. ‘You’re not joking. His office was on the twelfth floor. That’s a long way to fall if he’d set his gorillas on me. Anyway, the upshot of the meeting is that he wants me to go back next Friday to meet some of his people from Rome and Hollywood with a view to having me translate the screenplay of one of his company’s films.’ He caught her eye. ‘It’s a hell of a difficult job and, in consequence, it pays really well. What they want is somebody to translate from the Italian into English. Now that’s no big deal in itself. The thing is, the English version has to be close enough to the Italian for actors to lip-sync it. You know, dub it into English. So if the Italian sentence consists of a dozen words, the English version has got to be the same or near enough.’

  ‘Wow, that sounds like a real challenge.’

  ‘I’m only just beginning to realise how much of a challenge. Just take a simple word like help. The heroine’s tied to the railway tracks with the locomotive approaching and she’s crying “help, help”. The problem is that the Italian word for help is aiuto and that’s got three syllables while help has only one.’ He was still grinning. ‘So it isn’t going to be easy. Assuming, of course, that they give me the job.’

  Annie was really pleased for him. ‘This isn’t going to take you away from me, is it? I mean, you won’t have to move to Hollywood or somewhere? I really wouldn’t want to lose you.’ She was relieved to see him shake his head.

  ‘No way. I can work anywhere. Besides, I wouldn’t want to lose you either, gorgeous.’ Annie stared at him for a second or two. He looked sincere. She nodded and turned for the door. As she reached for the handle, she heard his voice.

  ‘All well with you and Ferrari-man? Did Tuesday night match up to your expectations?’

  She glanced back, feeling rather self-conscious. ‘It was fine, for as long as it lasted. His father had his accident that evening and he had to rush off before anything happened.’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ From the expression on his face, Annie realised he was anything but.

  Annie spent the weekend going through everything at the school for the hundredth time, determined to check every smallest detail. She was sitting in her office on Sunday afternoon, running through everything in her head yet again, when her phone rang. It was Matt, to wish her well for the next day. She was touched that he had bothered to call, particularly as she had heard nothing from Alex since Friday. She thanked him most sincerely.

  ‘Thanks a lot, Matt. I’m scared stiff something’s going to go wrong.’

  ‘Nothing’ll go wrong. You’re far too organised for that. So, tell me, when do you start work up at Montalto?’

  ‘Tuesday afternoon and then as often as I can make it from then on.’

  ‘It’s going to be one hell of a busy week for you. Try not to overdo it. I should be around most of the week until Thursday night so just give me a call if you need me to do anything.’

  ‘That’s so kind, Matt.’

  ‘Anything for you, gorgeous.’

  Annie decided to call in on Signor Lago at the hospital before she went home. She found him lying propped up on some pillows, still looking weary, but in a much cheerier frame of mind.

  ‘Hello, my dear, come over here where I can see you.’ He held his arms up towards her and she went over and kissed him on the cheeks. ‘Lovely, lovely. Now, sit down and tell me all the news.’

  ‘What about your news? Are you still having your operation tomorrow?’

  He nodded. ‘And I’m not sorry. I’ve been lying here like a corpse for the last four days and I just can’t wait for it to be over. It’s booked for nine o’clock tomorrow morning, apparently.’

  Annie wished him well and told him all about her preparations for the first day of school the next day. ‘And then, from Tuesday, I’m working up at the hotel, trying to take Daniela’s place.’

 
‘Alex told me that. I’m so pleased you could help us. I’m sure you’ll do a grand job. Poor Daniela. She’s in here as well, you know.’

  When Annie left him, she enquired where Daniela’s room was and went along to see her, hoping that her appearance wouldn’t do more harm than good. As it turned out, she found her fast asleep, her leg hung up from a complicated trapeze-like contraption and it looked very uncomfortable. She backed quietly out of the room, deciding to come back at another time.

  The grand opening of the school was a great success. There were no scheduled lessons on Monday morning so the first classes were in the afternoon and evening. The afternoon classes were all composed of children. As it was the very first day, Annie had laid on balloons and cake for the very little children, aged just three to six, as well as for the seven- to ten-year-olds in the next class up. The other classes were composed of teenagers and Annie was pleased to see that most, if not all, of them, turned up on time and looked fairly keen and interested. Having had many years’ experience teaching teens, Annie had been fearful that many might have seen these extra lessons on top of their normal week at secondary school as an unnecessary annoyance, but, at least for now, they all looked reasonably motivated. Annie sat in on a few of the lessons and was delighted to see her teachers performing really well.

  In the evening the adult classes started, running right up to ten o’clock. These classes were for people in work and so they were obliged to give up a couple of evenings a week to study. To thank them and to encourage them on their first day, Annie provided Prosecco and cake and the mood at the end of the lessons was universally positive. Finally, at a quarter past ten, the last student left and Annie collapsed into a heap alongside Paolina and poured the last of the Prosecco into two glasses.

  ‘Here, cheers, Paolina. It’s gone really well. I couldn’t have done it without you.’ They clinked glasses together and sipped the wine. Just then, Annie heard her phone begin to ring in her office where she had left it. She went through and picked it up. It was Alex.

  ‘Ciao, bella.’ He sounded cheerful.

  ‘Ciao, bello. How’re you? Where are you?’

  ‘I’m here, in Santorso. I’ve just been in to see my father. His operation was a success and they say he should be out in a week. He was asking about you. I’m not sure if I should be jealous of the relationship you two have got.’

  ‘That’s really good news. And, yes, you should be jealous, both of your father and his lovely dog. I’m not sure which of the two I like more. Still, you’re quite nice, too, if I can ever see you.’

  ‘I know. I’m sorry about the weekend but I couldn’t get out of it. There was the annual awards ceremony for our industry and I had to collect a prize.’

  ‘That’s fantastic. So, when do I get to hear all about it?’

  ‘Massimo tells me you’re coming up here to help out tomorrow afternoon. I’ll see you then.’ He hesitated. ‘God knows when we’ll be able to manage an evening together. The guests start arriving on Friday afternoon and we’re going to be hard at it getting everything sorted out before that.’

  ‘I know. Ah, well, at least I should get to dance with you at the masked ball on Saturday night.’

  ‘Of course, but will you recognise me?’

  Annie felt confident she would easily recognise his wavy hair and strong chin. ‘I’ll recognise you. See you tomorrow, Alex. Ciao.’

  Annie went back through to Paolina, feeling disappointed she wouldn’t have the opportunity to reprise the dinner date until next week. But at least, she told herself, she had the ball to look forward to. She picked up her glass again and sat down beside Paolina.

  ‘That was Alex. It’s going to be all go getting ready for the agents’ weekend.’

  Paolina nodded. ‘Yes, Paul was telling me. When does it all start?’

  ‘The first arrivals should be on Friday afternoon and the programme kicks off at six with a torchlit descent of the main blue run.’

  Paolina nodded. ‘I know. Paul’s going to be involved with that.’ She sniffed. ‘Somehow I don’t think I’m going to see him much this weekend.’ Then she brightened up. ‘But he’s invited me to the masked ball on Saturday night. Of course, you’re going to be there, aren’t you?’

  ‘Certainly am. So, what are you going to be wearing?’

  Paolina grinned proudly. ‘I’ve found just the thing: light, sexy and diaphanous.’

  ‘Diaphanous?’ Annie was impressed at her choice of vocabulary, while rather fearful of the visual effect Paolina would produce.

  Paolina grinned more broadly. ‘I was telling Matt about it and he came up with the word. It sounds really exotic, doesn’t it?’

  Annie nodded. ‘Just remember Saturday night’s going to be PG, not 18+. There may be some old men there. We don’t want any heart attacks.’

  The following day Annie got to the hotel at lunchtime and went straight up to see Massimo in his office. She looked around for any sign of Alex, but neither he nor the Labrador were to be seen. She found Massimo looking stressed, but he still managed to summon a smile when he saw her.

  ‘Ciao, Annie. Thank you so much for coming.’

  ‘Ciao, Massimo. Reporting for duty. What do you want me to do first?’

  He ran through the programme with her and she went off to Daniela’s office and spent the rest of the afternoon on the phone checking that coaches were booked, restaurant staff engaged, food and drink planned, ski tours organised and a host of other arrangements made. As the afternoon progressed she was delighted to find that Daniela had done an excellent job. Everything appeared to be organised right down to the smallest detail. At six, she went downstairs, determined to drive down to Santorso and call in on Signor Lago to see how he was doing. As she reached the lobby, she was greeted by a familiar figure.

  ‘Ciao, Leo.’ She scratched the dog’s ears as he stood up on his hind legs to greet her, his tail wagging furiously. ‘So where’s Alex?’ She glanced round the hall and spotted him over at the front desk, bending over, reaching for something. Annie and Leo walked across the floor to him and she very nearly pinched his bottom. Instead, she went round behind the desk and greeted him face to face as he straightened up.

  ‘Ciao, bello.’

  ‘Annie, ciao.’ His face split into a broad smile and he leant across the counter to give her a quick kiss. ‘You look as lovely as ever.’

  She scrutinised him closely. ‘You look tired.’

  ‘I’m bloody exhausted.’ He patted his pocket. ‘And this damn phone never stops. I had a guy call me half an hour ago from the US asking me to organise a taxi to meet him at Rome airport and bring him here. I had to explain that a taxi would take about seven hours and cost about the same as his transatlantic air fare. Then there was the girl from Switzerland who wanted to know how much the Great St Bernard tunnel costs. It’s a nightmare.’ He caught her eye. ‘So, what about you after a few hours here? How do you think things are looking?’

  ‘Daniela’s done a great job. I’ve been going through the programme hour by hour from kick off at lunchtime Friday until lunchtime on Sunday, and everything’s perfect.’ As she mentioned Daniela’s name, she wondered once again whether that affair was truly over or not.

  Just then his phone rang yet again. He grimaced and answered it. This time, however, the call only lasted a few seconds. He rang off and turned to her. ‘That was Massimo. I’ve got to go up to see him. A conference call with somebody in Germany.’ Together they walked over to the lift. He stopped when he got there, glanced round and then leant forward and gave her a peck on the lips. She gave him a big smile in return.

  ‘I thought I’d go and drop in on your father and Daniela. I’m glad to hear he’s doing fine. What about her? Any idea how the prognosis looks?’

  He shook his head. ‘Not really. I’ll ask Massimo. He’s been to see her, I expect.’ He pressed the button and the lift door slid silently open. With a last smile in her direction, he and the dog stepped inside and the door swishe
d shut. Annie walked back across to the front door, reflecting that if he and Daniela were still an item he would surely have been to see her long before this.

  When she got to the hospital, she found Signor Lago sitting up in bed looking cheerful. He gave her a big wave as she appeared and he welcomed her in.

  ‘My dear girl, what a lovely surprise.’ She went over and kissed him on both cheeks before sitting down next to the bed.

  ‘I thought I’d just come and see how you’re getting on. You look a lot more comfortable than the last time I was here.’

  ‘That’ll be the painkillers.’ He grinned. ‘But the really good news is that they say they want to get me moving as soon as possible. I can’t wait to stand up again. Tell me, how’s my boy? Have you seen him?’

  Annie smiled back. ‘I’ve just seen both your boys. One was wagging his tail and the other one smiling, so you’ve nothing to worry about.’

  She sat with him for ten minutes before excusing herself and setting off to visit Daniela to give her a progress report. When she got to the door of Daniela’s room, she was pleased to see her with her eyes open, although still in a near-horizontal position. Annie went over and said hello. The expression on Daniela’s face when she recognised Annie was no longer antagonistic, but welcoming.

  ‘Ciao, Annie. How good to see you.’ She looked as if she meant it.

  ‘I thought I’d come and see how you’re doing and tell you about how things are going up at Montalto.’

  ‘Oh, please do. I’ve been lying here worried sick.’

  Annie told her all about it and how delighted she had been to find everything so well organised. By the time she finished, Daniela was looking relieved and very happy.