by Caragh Bell
‘We’re here!’ Samantha looked radiant. ‘Isn’t this place amazing?’
‘Amazing,’ agreed Lydia. ‘Now you’ve got to try this honey-flavoured schnapps. It’s so good!’
At dinner Colin, of course, found fault with almost everything.
‘The vegetables were soggy.’
Val scraped Colin’s leftovers onto his own plate. ‘Doesn’t bother me.’
Luca barely touched his food.
Lydia, as always, ate a healthy portion.
She groaned when she had finished. ‘God, I’m such a pig.’
Dominic kissed her nose. ‘Yeah, but you’re my pig.’
‘Imagine her pregnant!’ said Samantha laughing. ‘She’d never stop eating!’
There was a pause.
Luca drained his beer.
‘So what’s the plan?’ he asked eventually.
‘There are loads of bars on the Main Street,’ said Colin. ‘One called Bunny’s and another one at the foot of the piste called Max’s. I think we should check them out.’ He took out his iPhone. ‘Oh, there’s karaoke on Wednesdays at Max’s. That’s my night sorted anyway.’
‘I’m so excited about tomorrow!’ Sam hugged herself in delight. ‘Craig and I are going to ski school. Anyone else?’
Jessica and Val both nodded. ‘We’re beginners,’ they said in unison.
‘I’ll make my own way,’ said Colin. ‘We have to meet up for lunch and stuff.’
Everyone nodded.
‘Are you taking lessons, Dom?’ drawled Luca.
Dominic shook his head. ‘Nah, I’ll take my chances. I’m a bit rusty, but I’ll be okay.’
Lydia squeezed his hand. ‘You’d better wait for me. I’m not that fast.’
Dominic smiled. ‘As if I’d leave you behind.’
Jessica sipped her wine. ‘I’ll be total crap, I’d say. I have no coordination.’
‘We’ll stick together,’ said Val, winking at her.
Samantha looked at Craig. ‘We should be fine in intermediate lessons, right?’
‘Definitely. I like the buzz of a group anyway. The first time I went skiing I made loads of friends. We had a great laugh.’
Samantha snuggled close to him. ‘I can’t wait. It’s going to be such a blast.’
Next morning they gathered at the ski-hire shop which was right next to the gondola lift.
When everyone had their skis and poles, they met outside the ski school.
‘So, will you be okay if I head up the mountain, Val?’ Colin’s brown eyes were worried. ‘I hate leaving you alone.’
Val fixed his goggles on his head. ‘I’ll be fine. Plus, Jess is with me.’
‘See you at lunchtime, so.’ Colin hoisted his skis onto his shoulder.
Luca kissed Jessica full on the lips. ‘Have fun, babe.’
‘You, too. Although I can’t walk after last night.’ Her laugh tinkled in the morning air.
Lydia turned away, shocked. Did she have to broadcast that? She wasn’t the only one who’d had sex last night. Looking at Samantha and Craig canoodling by the café and the obvious post-coital glow of the other two, she couldn’t help feeling envious. Sure, she and Dominic had made love last night. The same way they always did. She liked the security of it. He knew what she liked and she what he did. It worked. Yet, looking at the others, she couldn’t help missing the heady excitement of a new relationship. The discovery of it all.
‘Right, let’s go.’ Dominic grabbed Lydia’s skis as well as his own.
‘I can manage them,’ she protested but he walked away.
Luca followed with his skis slung easily over his shoulder. His outfit was expensive-looking. Head to toe in black Spyder gear, he cut an impressive figure. She watched him saunter up the path to the lift.
Colin was waiting by the turnstile.
‘Come on, guys. We’ll beat the crowd if we go up now.’
Minutes later they were squashed into a cable car with two French pensioners. They spoke rapidly and, as far as Lydia could make out, they were around for the week. Luca and Colin faced her and Dominic in the tiny space.
‘Let’s go right up to the top and ski down,’ suggested Colin. ‘There’s a black run, right next to the lift.’
Privately, Lydia would have preferred to start with a blue or a red piste, but she said nothing. Dominic squeezed her leg.
‘You’ll be all right,’ he said reassuringly.
She smiled tightly. First he carried her skis, now he was treating her like a child. Of course she’d be all right. She was well able to ski. People you love sometimes get annoying. Look at Ollie, for example. He could drive her insane in one weekend.
The lift slowed, indicating that they were nearing the middle station. The French passengers disembarked so there was more room. Luca stretched out his long legs.
‘I can’t wait to get on the snow,’ he said, yawning. ‘There’s nothing like it to cure a hangover.’
They arrived at the top exactly fifteen minutes after they boarded and walked out into the sunlight. Colin studied the map outside the station.
‘If we take a right up there, we’re all set.’ He inserted his boots into his skis.
The others followed suit. Lydia tucked her hair into her helmet and adjusted her goggles.
‘You look like someone from Star Wars,’ laughed Luca. ‘Boba Fett or something.’
‘Thanks.’
Luca wore a woolly hat and shades. He followed Colin’s lead and started to trek across the snow towards the decline.
‘Let’s go, Lyd – I’ll wait for you if you want me to.’ Dominic smiled.
Lydia bristled. ‘I’ll manage, Dom. Really.’
It took forever to reach the top of the slope. Lydia could feel the pull on her arms already.
‘Ready?’ Colin looked around.
They all nodded. He took off in a stylish move, parallel-skiing down the slope at breakneck speed.
‘Whoa!’ said Luca, impressed. ‘He’s awesome.’ Digging his pole in the snow for leverage, he followed Colin, skiing effortlessly down the steep piste.
Without waiting, Lydia followed. She wobbled initially and turned into the mountain to stop herself from falling. Then her sense of balance kicked in and she took off.
Oh, the feeling! The freedom, the exhilaration, the speed. She felt like she was flying.
She could see Colin and Luca waiting at the bottom. Stylishly, she swished up to them and stopped at the last second.
‘Not just a pretty face, Lyd,’ said Luca. ‘That was some good skiing right there.’
‘Thanks,’ she answered, smiling. ‘I feel amazing!’
They all looked up to see Dominic ski down like a pro. He was a natural.
Luca watched him with an impassive face. Could he be any more perfect? Man, he was a tough rival.
‘Ready?’ Colin was ready to take off again.
They followed his lead once more. In no time at all they were at the bottom of the mountain.
‘That was brilliant!’ exclaimed Lydia. ‘Let’s go up again!’
‘I wonder how Val is getting on?’ Colin tried to see who was on the beginner slope.
‘Jess will look after him,’ said Luca, taking off his skis. ‘I agree with Lyd. Let’s go up, ski down to a bar and have a beer.’
Colin’s attention left the green slope immediately. ‘Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.’
‘Oh, my bones!’ Lydia groaned as the main course was cleared away. ‘We overdid it on the slopes.’
‘Nonsense,’ said Colin briskly. ‘It was a good day, Lyd. The first one is always a shock to the system.’
Dominic started to rub her shoulders. ‘I’ll give you a proper massage later.’
Lydia closed her eyes in pleasure. ‘Oh, keep going! That feels amazing.’
Samantha filled up her wineglass. ‘We have a hunky instructor called Klaus. Real eye candy.’
Craig snorted. ‘He looks gay.’
Colin perked up. ‘Really?
’
Val punched him in the arm. ‘You’re taken.’
Luca trailed his finger along Jessica’s arm. ‘How did you get on, Val?’
‘Not too bad.’
Jessica burst out laughing. ‘It took him ages to even figure out how to click his boot into the ski. And when we got going I kept giggling and falling over. By twelve I was ready to jump ship and go to the pub. But Val wouldn’t leave.’
‘I couldn’t,’ said Val.
‘Why not?’ said Samantha.
‘So I can ski with Colin someday,’ said Val simply.
Colin put his hand on his heart. ‘Oh my God, that’s the cutest thing.’
Luca raised an eyebrow. He suspected that it would take Val a very long time to reach Colin’s standard.
‘Have you a cute instructor, too?’ Craig asked Val.
Val nodded. ‘He’s pretty cute all right. Can’t keep his eyes off Jess though – sorry, Luca.’
Luca shrugged. ‘Well, she’s gorgeous, right?’
‘Stop it, Luca!’ said Jess.
Lydia but her lip and said nothing. Things were how they should be. But why did she feel jealous?
The next morning there was a delay at the lift.
Colin tapped his ski with his pole impatiently. ‘Come on, for Pete’s sake!’
‘Relax, man.’ Luca was lounging up against the wall. ‘Give them time.’
Eventually the gates opened and they trudged into the station.
‘Let’s try that other black today,’ suggested Lydia. ‘Obendorf. It brings you down the other side of the mountain.’
The others nodded.
At the top of the mountain, reggae music was blaring from the hut that sold beer and hot chocolate. A pretty young girl with dreadlocks was serving Glühwein to an Italian group.
The trio set out and skied in bursts, down bumpy mogul terrain and a little bit off-piste.
Lydia loved the speed of it all and was proud that she could keep up with such accomplished skiers. Dominic waited for her all the time and always made sure that she got on the chairlift with him.
She knew he was being nice, but it irked her slightly. She was well able to look after herself.
The next day they all happened to end up in the same restaurant at lunchtime.
‘Hey, all!’ Samantha was in great form. Her cheeks were red from the exhilaration.
‘Are you having fun?’ asked Lydia, dipping her chip in ketchup.
‘It’s brilliant. I love it!’
Klaus, her ski instructor, passed, shaking the snow off his jacket. Lydia’s mouth fell open.
‘I know!’ Samantha giggled. ‘Fine thing!’
Luca watched them in amusement. ‘What does he have that we don’t?’
Samantha gazed over at him. ‘Tanned skin, toned abs, gorgeous eyes, and skis like an angel ...’
‘That’s me all over.’ Luca laughed. ‘Want to see my abs?’
Samantha raised her eyes to heaven. ‘You’re so full of yourself.’
Craig called Samantha over to their table. She waved apologetically. ‘I have to go. He loves this guy in our group called Michael from Dublin. I need to join them, talk later.’
Dominic’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Accessing the message, he frowned and then hastily put his phone away.
‘What’s up?’ Lydia sensed something was wrong. ‘Is everything okay?’
Dominic smiled brightly. ‘Nothing’s wrong. Tell you later.’
Lydia felt uneasy. Sipping her Coke, she decided to let it go. They could talk when they got back to the hotel.
‘This is the life!’ announced Colin, closing his eyes. ‘I absolutely love the snow. Do you use your place in Vail a lot, Luca?’
He nodded. ‘Yeah, for sure. Every year around President’s Day. I usually take my buddies with me.’
‘You’re so lucky,’ said Lydia enviously.
‘I guess. The only thing is it’s easy to get bored with the same thing over and over. I need variety in my life.’
Lydia said nothing. That was something she could believe. She couldn’t imagine Luca settling anywhere or with anyone. She wondered if Jessica knew this: whether it made a difference or not.
The waitress sidled up to the table. ‘Anything else?’
They all shook their heads.
‘Let’s make a move,’ suggested Dominic. ‘It’s getting late.’
Luca drained his beer. ‘Sure thing.’
Colin blew kisses at Samantha and Craig. ‘See you later, lovebirds!’
‘Meet you at Max’s later!’ answered Samantha, waving.
Dominic closed the door and put his head against it. Lydia sat on the bed, motionless.
‘Aunt who?’
‘My mother’s Aunt Cecilia. From Dublin.’
‘Did you know her?’
‘Not really. I remember visiting her when I was young, but that’s it.’
‘And Christine wants you home because?’ Her voice was dangerously low.
‘She’s still my grand-aunt, Lyd. I have to be there with my family.’
She bit her lip in an effort not to cry. This was just too unfair. Of all weeks to die. She immediately felt bad. She knew she was being selfish, but the thought of going home was truly awful.
‘I’ll pack my stuff,’ she conceded dolefully.
Dominic was by her side in a flash. ‘You are staying here. No question. I know how much this trip means to you. You shouldn’t have to fly home for the funeral of a woman you’ve never even met.’
Lydia shook her head. ‘No, Dom, I should go. It’s the right thing to do.’
‘The right thing to do is to stay here and ski. That’s the end of it.’
‘No –’
‘Yes. You still have three big days left.’
‘But New Year’s Eve?’ Her eyes filled with tears. ‘I’ll have to ring in the New Year alone.’
He took her in his arms and rubbed her back.
‘We’ll celebrate when you get back … shhhhhh.’
She buried her face in his shirt. Of all the rotten luck.
‘Let me help you pack,’ she sniffed. ‘How will you get to the airport?’
‘Franz will ring a taxi. I’m so sorry, baby, but Mum expects me to be there.’
Lydia scowled. I’ll bet she does. Anything to have her baby boy home again. Dominic all by himself will be just icing on the cake.
‘I love you, Lyd. Just be careful on the slopes.’
She glared at him through her tears. ‘Hey, I’m a better skier than you, mister, so enough of the ‘be careful’, okay?’
Dominic laughed and started to fill his suitcase.
Chapter 26
Colin was shocked when he heard the news. ‘You poor thing! How inconsiderate of his aunt.’
Lydia took a gulp of her beer. ‘It’s just typical of us lately. Being together just gets harder and harder.’
Samantha put her hand on her arm sympathetically. ‘There’s always Klaus.’
Lydia gave her a watery smile.
Val thumped her on the back. ‘Enough moping, now. You’re on a great holiday, enjoy it. It’s only a few days, Lyd. You’ll be okay.’
She pulled herself together. ‘You’re right, of course. Are you going to the bar?’
He nodded. ‘Sure. What would you like?’
‘A beer, please.’ She tried to hand him five euros, but he refused to take it.
Luca and Jessica arrived.
‘Jess, my ski buddy! What can I get you?’ Val beamed at her. ‘I’m heading up to the bar.’
‘White wine, hon.’ She beamed back at him.
‘Sure thing.’ He ambled off.
‘What’s with the long faces?’ Luca surveyed the group. ‘Did someone die or something?’
Lydia let out a sob and left the table.
‘Jeez, what the hell did I say?’ Luca looked perplexed.
Colin sipped his schnapps. ‘Oh nothing. Dom’s grand-aunt died and he has to fly home. Lyd’s upse
t.’
‘Does she have to go too?’ asked Luca in alarm.
Colin shook his head. ‘Nope. Dom’s insisting that she stay here. Proper order too. I mean, it’s his aunt after all. Can I get you a beer?’
But Luca had gone.
Luca found her outside, sitting on a wooden bench. It was absurdly quiet; the snow fell silently from the night sky.
‘Tough deal.’
She looked up. ‘Yeah.’
He sat down next to her and took her hand in his. ‘I’ll look after you – I mean, we all will.’
She sniffed, but said nothing.
‘I hate to see you cry.’
She turned to look at him. ‘I should go home.’
‘No!’ he almost shouted. ‘I mean, no way. Why should you give this up?’
‘I know, Luca, but it’s the right thing to do.’
‘Don’t go. We’d miss you.’ There was a pause. ‘I’d miss you.’
He traced the inside of her wrist with his finger and Lydia shuddered. She needed to think straight and she certainly couldn’t do that with Luca touching her like that.
‘Let’s go back inside. Val got me a beer which is probably flat by now.’
He helped her to her feet. ‘You and me, black slope tomorrow.’
She nodded. ‘And Colin.’
‘Well, sure, and Colin.’
She smiled at him. ‘Thanks for that.’
‘For what?’
‘Making me feel better.’
His eyes were opaque. ‘No problem.’
The next morning Lydia awoke and reached out instinctively for Dominic. Burying her head in her pillow she resisted the urge to cry. What a disaster. Last night had been hard. Dominic rang from home which made it all so much worse. Upset and despondent, she had called it a night and gone to bed.
Now she didn’t feel like getting up and dragging her body up the mountain. Anyone can take a day off, right?
She snuggled down into her blankets and closed her eyes. Suddenly someone started banging on her door.