“Where are you going?” Peter shouted after me.
Away. Far away from here, you and everything else.
“Freddie, for God’s sake, will you wait?” Peter caught my arm and spun me around to face him. “What is going on?”
“Nothing, just—”
“So what’s changed? Why don’t you want to be friends with me?”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Friends don’t try to kiss other friends.”
Peter’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me? I was just reading your signals last night. You seemed interested—like the night of the dance. Was I wrong?”
No, he wasn’t wrong…I’d just remembered what an awful mistake it would be. “Yes.”
“You’re lying. Why?”
“I’m not lying!”
Peter snorted. “You bloody are. Either to yourself or to me, but you are lying. Why all the back and forth, Freddie? Why do you act like you want more from me then treat me as though I’m the last person in the world you want to be around? Why all the games?”
“Oh, that’s rich, coming from you,” I said with a huff. “All of this is just a game to you! Is it an Upton thing? A boy thing? Or do you just like trying to get girls to fall for you when you have no true feelings for them whatsoever?”
“What?” Peter asked with a blink.
“I was willing to try and be friends with you, but I realised even that is impossible.”
“Why?”
“One word. Jemima.”
“Jemima?” Peter repeated. “Who’s Jemima?”
I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to whack him with my skis. “Are there so many girls in your life you have trouble keeping them straight?”
“I do if I have no idea who they are!” Peter said with exasperation. “Freddie, I don’t have a clue what you’re on about.”
I chuckled quietly and shook my head. “This just makes it even worse. Did you not bother to even get her name?”
“Who?”
“Jemima’s!” I cried. “Jemima! My friend, Jemima! Jemima, the girl I found you with minutes after I left you at the dance! Jemima, Jemima, Jemima!” Good Lord, I’m having a nervous breakdown…
Peter blinked again, processing my outburst. He held his hand out. “Okay, I’m not really sure where to start with all of that. This ‘Jemima’ from the dance…if she’s who I’m thinking of, no, I never did get her name. I was standing by myself when a girl approached me and asked me to dance. As I was politely declining, she got this sad look on her face and said no one had wanted to dance with her all night, so I agreed to be a nice guy. She was a little on the clingy side, but nice enough. I told her that I was waiting for someone and she smiled and said that was fine, she would disappear as soon she returned.” Peter’s face softened and he took a step towards me. “But you never did, Freddie. The lights came up and I couldn’t find you. I made my friend wait until every single other bus and car had left before I finally got in the car, just to make sure I hadn’t missed you.”
The anger began to dissipate. “But,” I said quietly, “you both looked really happy together. You were smiling, she was smiling. Later, she couldn’t stop bragging about the fitty that she pulled.”
Peter snorted a laugh. “Trust me, there was no pulling of any kind. The second the song ended, I make my excuses and left.”
Why would Jemima lie? She was a gorgeous girl and I knew that she had the pick of the Stonebridge boys that night. Which again begged the question…why would Jemima lie?
“When you told her you were waiting for someone, did you tell her who?” I asked.
“Yes, I did.”
The breath was punched out of me by his confirmation. So it turned out I really had been betrayed…I just hadn’t realised by who. One of my best friends.
“Freddie, are you all right?” Peter asked, taking another step towards me. “You look like you’ve had a shock.”
“I think I have,” I breathed. “I can’t believe her.”
“Who? I’m sorry, I’m so lost it’s unbelievable.”
I scrubbed at my eyes that stung with unshed tears. I refused to cry. This year alone had proved what things were worth crying over, and Jemima and her selfish, vindictive nature were not one of them. “That girl—Jemima—is one of my best friends. If you told her it was me you were waiting for, then that means she orchestrated the whole thing to hurt me. To get one up on me. To beat me.” I laughed ruefully. “The ironic thing is, when I saw the two of you together and she looked so happy, I decided to pretend I had no idea who you were so our friends wouldn’t think badly of her. So she could have you. I’m an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot, Freddie,” Peter said, quietly. “You’re amazing, and a true friend…even to those who don’t deserve it.”
“How can you even say that to me? I’ve been so horrible and unfair to you,” I whispered. God, I felt awful. I wouldn’t be surprised if Peter never wanted to see me again.
He closed the small distance between us and clasped my chin, tipping my face up so I would meet his eyes. “Frederica, you are the most interesting, loyal, funny person I have ever met. You reacted to what you thought you knew, and I can’t blame you for that. If anything, it makes you a strong character to stand up for what you believe in and not let a boy you thought was a love rat sway you.”
A laugh bubbled in my throat. “I’m so glad you’re not a love rat.”
“Me too. It sounds extremely complicated.”
I clutched his wrists. “I really am sorry. And I wish I had just asked you to, save all this hassle.”
“Then let this be a lesson on not making assumptions on what you think you see. And if you ever want to know something, just ask me. I promise I’ll always be honest with you.”
A light flurry of snow began to fall. I tilted my face up to the sky to watch the white flakes fall. I laughed, in part marvelling at the beauty, and also in relief. A huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. What I had felt yesterday on the slopes wasn’t freedom—this was.
Peter brushed away the flakes that melted on my skin. Snow clung to his thick eyelashes and a soft smile was playing on his lips. “I’m going to ask a direct question, now. Freddie…may I kiss you?”
I grinned and nodded, all but grabbing him and pulling his face down. Peter dipped his head, fitting his mouth over mine.
My stomach fizzed with excitement. I clutched his shoulders as he pressed against me. I thought I would combust. The heat inside my snow gear would surely set my outer layers on fire.
Peter slid his hands into my hair as he deepened the kiss. I sighed and kissed him back with everything I had. The reality of kissing Peter was so much better than the fantasies I’d scolded myself for having. The feel of his body, the natural scent of him combined with his heady aftershave, his delicious kisses all drove me to a state of excited bliss.
I never wanted it to end.
I wanted to stay on that mountain and kiss him forever.
I woke on Christmas morning and was all at once hit with a barrage of emotions. Athena practically fell out of the bunk above me and threw herself onto my bed.
“Come on, lazy bones! Don’t you want to see what Santa brought you?” She grinned.
I smiled at her enthusiasm. “Go on without me, I’ll just be a second.”
Athena nodded and a moment later I was alone.
The sounds beyond the door weren’t ones I associated with Christmas.
There was no Louisa screeching for Augustus and I to hurry up so she could start opening her presents. There was no Mummy humming Christmas carols under her breath.
There was no Daddy…his deep voice resonating through the house as he voiced his good cheer.
This year, there was no Daddy at all.
There would be no feast created by Aimee—but then there would also be no poultry heads, so there was that at least—and for the first time ever, there was no stocking at the bottom of my bed.
I rubbed my eyes qu
ickly, forcing away the melancholy that grew in my heart.
This year there would be so many unfamiliar things, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I was spending the holidays with my friends, and that was sure to be anything but dull.
Taking a deep breath, I shoved back the covers and climbed out of bed. I made a quick stop to the bathroom to brush my teeth before joining the others in the great room. Before I rounded the corner into the room, a hand curled around my wrist and tugged me into a doorway.
Peter gripped my hip and pulled me into his body. He smelled fresh and warm and so very, very delicious.
Nope.
This Christmas would certainly not be dull. Not by a mile.
“Merry Christmas,” he murmured.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Look what I found.” Peter lifted his hand, and I followed the movement up to see him holding a plant cutting.
“Is that…?”
“Mistletoe?” he finished with a wolfish grin. “Shall we find out?”
A giggle bubbled up in my throat and I grasped the sides of his face before pulling him down to kiss me. A smile curved my lips and I sank deeper into his embrace.
“Is Freddie still not up yet?” I heard Cassandra ask.
“She said she was just coming,” Athena said. “I’ll go check on her.”
Peter groaned and squeezed my hips.
I pressed one last soft kiss against his lips before breaking away. “Later?”
“Absolutely,” he purred.
I floated on a cloud of unrelenting happiness for the rest of the day. Peter made all my apprehension, all my uncertainty about being away from my family fall away like melting ice.
Later didn’t really happen. We hardly got a moment to ourselves on Christmas day, but it didn’t matter. Stolen glances and discreet hand-brushing got us through the day.
I hadn’t told my friends yet about me and Peter.
I wasn’t even really sure why.
I found myself stealing moments with him when no one was looking—enjoying breaks from skiing heating up instead of cooling off. Steamy kisses were now my norm and I craved each and every one like they were concentrated sugar.
On New Year’s Eve, there was a big party at the main lodge. They were throwing a Hogmanay ceilidh and all my friends were excited to go. We got ready together like always, and this time I knew the dance would end in my favour. There would be no other girl to claim the dance meant for me.
“I’m so excited for tonight, I can hardly believe our holiday is almost over,” Harriet said as she applied her mascara in the mirror.
“Me, too,” Annie agreed. “We’re going to be so busy when we get back to Mapleton Manor with studying for exams and stuff. No life for the next few months…woo hoo.”
Athena giggled. “I’m sure we’ll manage to find fun somewhere, Annie. But it’s Freddie who will be the saddest to leave here, I’m sure.”
My cheeks warmed but I tried not to give anything else away. “Me? Why would that be? I will miss the skiing, I suppose. Wouldn’t it be good if we had mountains closer to school and we could ski all the time?”
“I bet you would love it if the mountains were closer. You could visit all the time then, and never have to miss them,” Athena’s lips twitched with amusement. “Will you keep in touch when you leave?”
Harriet laughed. “Athena, how on earth can she keep in touch with a mountain?”
“I think our friend is using the mountain as a euphemism for something else,” Annie said, sliding her eyes over to Athena and me with a knowing smile.
“Really? For what?” Harriet asked.
It had occurred to me a few times over the last few days that perhaps Harriet wouldn’t be happy at the prospect of her friend and her brother going out with each other. She was a wonderful person with a big heart, so part of me knew that she would be absolutely fine with it. But I couldn’t quiet the tiny voice that said she would object.
Harriet gasped and flew her hand out to grab my arm. “It’s a boy, isn’t it? You met a boy and now you don’t want to leave because you’re going to miss him! When did you find the time to meet a boy? All you do is ski and then hang around here. Was it on the slopes? Did Pan introduce you to someone? Oh my God! Is it Pan? Are you seeing my brother? Are you in love? Freddie, we’re going to be sisters!”
No one moved, didn’t even utter a breath once Harriet had finished her excited ramble. I blinked as I let it all sink in, and gave a small nod of confirmation.
Harriet shrieked and threw her arms around me, pulling me into a fierce hug. “Oh, I’m so happy, Freddie.”
Well, at least I didn’t have to worry about upsetting her.
Harriet released me and turned to face Annie and Athena. “Did you two already know?”
Athena shook her head. “Once I realised what was going on, it became pretty obvious.”
Harriet turned back to me. “Why did you want to keep it a secret?”
“I suppose…I didn’t want to turn the holiday into being all about me. And I wasn’t sure how you would react,” I said.
She grinned. “Don’t be silly! I’m so happy, honestly. This is all so exciting!”
We laughed at Harriet’s enthusiasm, and I felt more than a little relieved she had taken the news so well. The mood was light and carefree as we finished getting ready.
The ceilidh was in full swing when we arrived, the band playing traditional folk music with people doing set dances. There was a table reserved for us but my friends and I wasted no time in storming the dance floor.
It had been ages since I’d laughed so hard. We barely knew any of the steps and tried to keep up as best as we could, but it turned into a bit of a calamity.
Peter was my partner for most of the dances, and he was considerably better than I was. A fact, I knew, he would never forget. I might be the better tree climber, but he was by far the better dancer.
The night passed far too quickly, with the hours slipping away like sand through my fingers. We all gathered on the dance floor for the countdown to midnight.
Peter cradled my face, smiling before dipping his head to kiss me at the stroke of midnight. “Happy New Year,” he whispered.
I closed my eyes and wondered if this was what complete and utter happiness felt like.
Later that night, when we were all tucked up in bed, Athena whispered a question in the dark. “Did you ask Peter what had gone on with him and Jemima?” Truthfully, I had wondered when she would. My friend was sharp as a tack and didn’t miss details.
“Yes,” I replied. “I did.”
“And?” she prodded. “He was the guy, wasn’t he? The guy you were walking on cloud nine over? I still can’t believe you let Jemima have him when you were, are, clearly mad over him.”
I sighed, also wondering why I had been so gracious. If I hadn’t, then all this heartache and trouble would never have happened. “I won’t make the same mistake twice, trust me. He only danced with her. Everything else she told us was a lie.”
Athena swore under her breath. “Why would Jemima lie? It’s not like she can’t really pull a guy.”
“That’s exactly what I thought. But it was for my benefit. Promise you won’t tell anyone this? The last thing I want is to divide our group.”
“Of course, I promise.”
“He told her he was waiting for another girl. Peter made it clear he was only being polite and when his girl showed up, he would be leaving Jemima for her.” I let out a breath, the pinch of pain flaring in my chest again as I thought about her betrayal. “He told her my name, Athena. She knew he was waiting for me.”
Athena was quiet for a moment as she let that information sink in. Then she swore a tad more colourfully than she had a moment ago. “What are you going to do back at school?”
“I have no idea.” But I would have to figure it out…and soon.
I stood outside the chalet and watched with a heavy heart as Peter and his dad packed up the people c
arrier to take us back home. The holiday, especially the second half, had sped by entirely too fast for my liking.
Annie kissed my cheek as she dashed past me, yelling for me to get my behind on board before they left without me. With one last glance at the chalet and the mountains surrounding it, I climbed inside the vehicle.
Peter had finished helping his dad and was already inside, lounging in the seat he had occupied on the journey up to Aviemore. He looked at the empty space beside him then cocked his eyebrow at me. I giggled and manoeuvred my way over to him.
“I thought you got travel sick back there, Freddie?” Athena asked in an innocent voice.
“Oh, er…I found some sickness pills in my travel bag so I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Athena’s eyes flickered to Peter then back to mine. She smiled, like she was genuinely happy we were together. “I’m sure you’ll be more than fine, Freddie.” She gave us a wink then turned back around in her chair.
Peter laced his fingers through mine as Glen started the car and we put the chalet in the rear-view mirror.
Every minute that passed brought us closer to Mapleton Manor until it felt like it had only been yesterday we’d first driven through the gatehouse. As our luggage was being unloaded, Peter caught my hand and tugged me around the people carrier, out of sight from everyone else.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, studying his face carefully. My heart sank—was this when he told me it had been lovely, but now that we were back home nothing else would happen?
Peter shook his head and gave me a small smile. “Nothing. I just wanted a proper goodbye without my parents and all your friends watching.”
“Oh,” I said, giggling.
He kissed me, quick and dry. “When can I see you again?”
“Anytime. I could come and see you?”
Peter grinned. “Absolutely. But it’s a long way for you to travel, wouldn’t you rather I came here?”
“It’s virtually impossible to sneak into Mapleton Manor. But I can always find my way in places.”
He laughed. “My girlfriend, the master of break-ins. I like it.”
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