‘High five,’ I squealed, slapping her palm. Then I asked, ‘So, Lou, Cath, which room would you like: front or back?’
They looked at one another. ‘Are we worried?’ Lou said, shrugging.
‘Darlings, they both have a bath and beds.’ Cathy laughed. And instinctively I knew they would offer me the room with the valley view.
‘You take the front,’ Lou said, ‘we’ll take the back.’
‘No, no my exquisite Flowers—’ I shook my finger ‘—the special treatment stops now. I’ve really appreciated everything you’ve done, your compassion, you’ve all been so amazing to organise all this and be here for me, but please, no more singling me out, or treading on eggshells just because Mike passed away or because I was made redundant. We’re here to have fun. You’re on holiday too and I want you all to just let it go. You two have the front so you have the view – I know how much you love it, Cath,’ I said, glancing at her. ‘Besides, we’ll have an excuse to visit you in your room.’
Again, they exchanged glances. ‘If you’re sure,’ Cathy said. ‘Kim, Angie?’
They both nodded, and Kim added, ‘We’re with Ginny. Absolutely sure. There’s the veranda downstairs and I’m sure the view of the village will be interesting.’
‘Thanks, Flowers,’ Lou said tilting her head whilst her eyebrows furrowed, her hair still skewwhiff. ‘I’ll put the music on whilst we unpack and then pop up to the supermarket for some bubbly.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ I said. ‘Then we can get ready for our, erm … pre-ski après-ski.’
For the second time that day, my spirits lifted. The chalet was a dream and even though we were tired, the voltage in the room was high.
Kim
My face was looking pasty with the Aussie suntan already fading. I pouted at the full-width bathroom mirror, smacking my lips before placing my Rose Petal lipstick back in my make-up bag that sat on the shiny glass ledge. ‘Right, I’m ready,’ I said, switching off the light.
In the bedroom I saw that Ginny was pulling a second red stripy sock up her calf. ‘Ooh, sexy mama,’ I teased.
‘A bit whacky, but I’m feeling in a whacky mood.’
‘That’s what I like to hear, my beaut,’ I said pouring the last of the Fendant white, the Swiss wine Ginny and I bought in the village supermarket, into our glasses.
Lou popped her head around the door, accompanied by a small knock. ‘OK to come in?’
‘Of course, but there’s no more wine, I’m afraid,’ I said pulling a sad face.
Lou raised a bottle in her hand. ‘Luckily I just topped mine and Cathy’s up, so you can finish this,’ she said, showing us a quarter-full bottle in one hand and a full glass in the other. She looked at Angie straightening the fur throw on her bed and putting her make-up bag onto the wooden bedside table.
‘Oh, this bed looks so inviting right now,’ Angie said as she gave it another swipe to iron out a crease.
Lou placed the wine bottle on the table. ‘Not you as well, Ang. I’ve left Cathy fussing and tidying. You’ll only mess it up when you get in it later.’
I had to laugh at Angie’s face as she glared at Lou. If looks could kill.
Lou quickly changed the subject. ‘Does anyone want to share a fondue tonight? They always smell so nice.’
‘Cathy might. I quite fancy that tarti-thingy,’ Ginny said, standing up and looking lovely apart from her bright, stripy feet. The grey cable-knitted sweater really suited her.
‘Tartiflette’, Angie said. ‘Mm, I love it! Well, the veggie version. So naughty. Potatoes, cheese, cream, onion all mixed up – just divine. Will and the boys like the traditional with bacon. Oh, not sure what to have now but considering what we had for lunch, my belly is rumbling. Shall we get going?’
I took a big gulp of wine, almost smelling the cheese. ‘Yes, let’s. I’m famished too.’ Checking my watch, I was surprised at the time. ‘Do you know it’s seven-thirty already?’
‘No. Deary me. Are you ready in there, Cath?’ Angie shouted.
Ginny got a woolly hat from her wardrobe that matched her sweater and peered across the landing and then mouthed back to us. ‘She’s on the phone.’
Ten minutes later, parched but reluctant to open more wine and tummies rumbling for food, we climbed the icy path up to the road and along and towards the square we needed to cross to La Poste, the restaurant I ate at last night. Ginny walked beside me whilst the others followed.
Ginny looked up at the navy sky. ‘So pretty here, isn’t it? Look, a full moon. Lots of stars. And over there, the long shadows of the tall trees on the snow.’
I craned my neck to see, following the moonlight then immediately above us saw the hundreds of tiny twinkling stars.
‘Kim, look there, what are those lights? They’re moving,’ she said, pointing to the middle of the mountains.
‘Oh yes, they are moving. No idea. Mountain ghosts?’ It came out of my mouth before my brain engaged.
Ginny pursed her lips. ‘Hmm. You never know. Maybe it’s Mike driving up and down furious that I’m skiing.’
‘No. What – social animal Mike? Don’t be silly. He’d want you to be out enjoying life. Wouldn’t you, if it was the other way around?’
Ginny twisted her mouth, pausing the conversation. ‘Of course I would. Maybe he’s having a bad day up there.’
We sniggered but I could see Ginny’s eyes glistening. I patted her arm. ‘Sorry, Gin, I hope it’s not upsetting you.’
She sniffed. ‘No, not at all, not upset, it’s just I get little bursts of sadness that well me up suddenly. It happens now and again.’
We were here to cheer her up, but it was good she was opening up. Since she had stayed with me in Australia, where she had space and a chance to let out her grief and tears, she hadn’t given much emotion away over the telephone. ‘Do you still get angry or emotional – that it happened to you and Mike, I mean?’
I watched her as she stared down at the frosty pavement. ‘I curse him all the time for leaving me on my own. Things – just simple things we used to do – like walks in the park, through the trees, driving down to the coast for lunch, jumping on a train to London to the theatre. I miss them. I was thinking the other day, when I was Christmas shopping. He used to love picking out the kiddie presents. He had a knack for knowing what they’d like.’
I put my arm around her, squeezing her into my chest as we walked. ‘Oh, my beautiful friend, my amazing Pommie flower, you don’t know how much I’d love to be around to help you. I would be angry too.’
I wanted to cry. How I yearned to be able to help her through all this. She had changed my life for the better and I wanted so much to repay her.
Ginny kissed my cheek. ‘I’m going to be fine, really. It’s just that sixty-one was way too young for him to go. I was bitter because he was a healthy, fit man with children and grandchildren and he did nothing particularly indulgent like smoking, taking drugs or even drinking that much. Beer with the boys a few days a week. A beer before dinner and wine with dinner. Not excessive, is it? I know he wasn’t an angel, but he didn’t deserve cancer.’
I threaded my arm through