Zoë made sure she got onto a different chair from Grant. After what Mandy had told her, the further away she stayed from him, the better. It was bitterly cold on the lift, but she had deliberately put on her warmest clothes, and she was fine. She hugged Bella to her, but she too was cocooned in two or three layers of clothing and didn’t look in the least bit cold.
At the top, they found the solid wooden sledges waiting for them. Billy released the dog from his jacket and they grinned at the sight of him running round and round in circles, barking excitedly. A helpful lift man lit the flaming torches for them and warned them to avoid letting the burning oily tar drip onto their clothes. He showed them the arms of his old jacket, which looked as if they had been riddled with bullets. Zoë and Juliet exchanged glances – no doubt Health and Safety would have something to say about this had they been back home in the UK.
Juliet went with Billy and Daniela. Zoë and Lorna took Bella, and the other three piled onto the third sledge. The lift man gave them a thirty-second lesson on how to use their feet to steer and brake, and then they were off. At the very first corner, Zoë nearly steered her sledge into a snowdrift, but a lucky kick of her boot at the last moment averted disaster, though only as far as the next bend. All three sledges overturned several times on the way down, the dog almost got run over numerous times, most of the torches went out, and they were all covered in snow but laughing their heads off by the time they finally made it round the last corner and headed down to the bottom of the lift. Here they extinguished the last remaining torches and handed everything back to the lift man.
Just to prove that her balance when not on skis was as bad as ever, Zoë then managed to fall over twice on the hundred-yard walk back to the hotel, and by the time they finally made it into the hall, they were all almost paralytic with laughter. It had indeed been a fun evening. They all went off to change, and Zoë took Bella back along the corridor and tapped on her parents’ door. They had to wait for almost a minute before Mandy appeared, wearing one of the hotel bathrobes. She looked a bit flushed and Zoë had a sudden suspicion as to how she and Martin had been spending their time. She caught Mandy’s eye and winked, and the flush that spread over her friend’s face confirmed her suspicions. This was very good news – as long as Martin hadn’t damaged his arm in the process.
Dinner was another excellent meal, this time featuring a wonderful selection of charcoal-grilled meats and a mouth-watering choice of desserts. Afterwards, they retired to the lounge and watched another movie on the big screen. It was almost midnight before Zoë dragged herself to her feet and headed for bed. She was feeling quite tired after the active day, and she wasted no time in getting into bed. She had just put the light out when she heard a tap at the door. Cursing under her breath, she went across to see who it was, knowing full well that if it was Grant, she was going to give him an earful. But it wasn’t Grant. Standing there was Lorna, looking apologetic – and confused.
‘I’m so sorry, Zo. I know it’s late and I can see you’ve already gone to bed, but I’ve just had a text and I don’t know what to do.’
She really did look worried, so Zoë put sleep on hold for a few minutes and invited her in.
‘So what was in the text, Lorn?’
‘He says he’s already bought his ticket. He’s flying over tomorrow and he’s booked into a hotel in the village.’
‘Well that’s his hard luck, isn’t it.? You don’t need to see him, do you?’
‘No, of course not, but he mentioned the ball and I was wondering about maybe inviting him to it. Seeing as he’s come so far, it’s the least I can do.’
Zoë didn’t think this sounded like a very good idea, but she knew the decision wasn’t hers to make.
‘You do what you think is best, but if it was me, I wouldn’t have any more to do with him. On a more positive note, if Prince Charming does turn up at the ball, that means Juliet and I will have him all to ourselves.’
Lorna managed a smile.
‘You deserve him, Zo. I think I’ll sleep on it and maybe ask Billy in the morning about getting an extra ticket. He was telling me that security’s going to be tight as there’ll be a number of famous people there.’
‘Like Billy himself.’
Lorna nodded. ‘It’s amazing how he’s done so well for himself.’ She turned for the door. ‘Anyway, thanks, as always, for being a shoulder to cry on.’
‘Happy to help.’
Zoë let Lorna out and returned to bed, wondering if she really had helped. Lorna was going to have to work out what to do for herself, and it sounded as though she was going to invite this guy whatever anyone else said. She had only just turned the light out when she heard another tap at the door. Cursing with even more feeling now, she flicked the light back on and stomped across to the door. To her surprise, it was Lorna again.
‘Hi again, Lorn. Forget something?’
Lorna glanced surreptitiously over her shoulder and gently pushed her way in, closing the door quietly behind her. Zoë stepped back, wondering what was going on.
‘You know you said you’d finally had it out with Grant and told him it was all over?’
‘Yes.’ Zoë wondered where she was going with this.
‘And no regrets?’
Zoë wasn’t going to reveal Mandy’s secret, so she just nodded. ‘None whatsoever. Telling him it’s all over is the best thing I’ve done all year. Why do you ask?’
‘I just thought you might be interested to know that as I was closing my door a few seconds ago, I saw Erika from reception sneak down the corridor and tap on Grant’s door. A few seconds later, she disappeared inside. I thought I’d tell you just in case you were harbouring any doubts about your decision to jettison Grant. Anyway, I really am going this time. Night, night, Zo.’ She kissed Zoë on the cheek and let herself out again.
As Zoë climbed back into bed, she reflected that it was now past midnight, so it was already technically Christmas Eve. Evidently Grant intended marking the anniversary of his desertion of her in typical Grant fashion. She gave a heartfelt sigh and flicked the light off. Any lingering feelings she might still have had for her ex were totally and utterly wiped out now, and she was left with no remorse and a keen sense of relief. Brutal as this last year had been, losing Grant had been the best thing that could have happened to her.
And anyway, she told herself as she drifted off to sleep, who knows who I might meet at the Christmas ball?
Chapter 16
Zoë woke up on Christmas Eve to brilliant sunshine pouring in through a crack in the curtains. A check of the time revealed that it was already eight o’clock – she really had slept well. With no special plans for today, she was able to lie there for a while, thinking back over everything. One way or another, things were working out for everybody. Her talents as an agony aunt were apparently unimpaired even after ten years.
Mandy and Martin would appear to have rediscovered their marital mojo – even if it was at the expense of a broken arm and a bang on the head. Lorna was hopefully heading towards the new less licentious life she had been longing for, and Imogen and Fergus were looking more like a real couple than when they had first arrived. Billy was obviously very happy with Daniela, and Juliet appeared carefree and relaxed.
That just left Grant and herself. As far as Zoë was concerned, Grant’s life was now totally his own, and she had no further desire to stay in contact with him. As for herself, she felt relief at having finally cleared away the wreckage of her time with him, but where did that leave her? There was her job and, of course, the ramifications of her refusal to do the HC article for Damien. But irrespective of her editor’s reaction, she knew she had no intention of spending the rest of her life writing articles about so-called celebrities, so her first task upon returning to London was definitely going to be to start seriously hunting for a new job – maybe with one of the online news organisations. She reached for her phone and checked her emails. Ominously there was still nothing from Damien. She
sighed to herself but remained convinced she had acted correctly.
On a more personal note, although she certainly wasn’t dead set on finding herself another man, she thought to herself with a smile that if Prince Charming were to pop up tonight at the ball, maybe she’d be prepared to accept his advances. And if he didn’t put in an appearance, tant pis, as the French would say. She knew there were precious few Prince Charmings about, so she wouldn’t be too disappointed. Her smile broadened as she reminded herself that if Lorna did decide to invite her former lover to the ball, that would increase her own chances of finding her prince.
She took her time over getting up and dressed, and it was almost nine o’clock when she arrived in the breakfast room. Mandy and Imogen were in there and both of them were looking like the cats that had got the cream. Bella was sitting beside them, and when she spotted Zoë, she came rushing over to grab hold of her legs and hug her. Zoë looked down with a smile.
‘Morning, Bella, and how are you today?’
Bella didn’t reply, but the affectionate look she shot upwards almost turned Zoë’s legs to jelly. She bent down and kissed the top of the little girl’s head. Yes, there was no getting away from it, she wanted a Bella. And that, as Juliet had so rightly remarked, would involve finding a big, smelly – or hopefully not so smelly – man.
Making sure she and her human limpet didn’t topple over onto the breakfast buffet, she filled a bowl with fruit salad, ordered an omelette, and shuffled carefully across to join the others, the little girl still hanging onto her.
‘Morning, ladies. You’re looking fine and happy this morning.’
She glanced around the table and there was no doubt about it. Imogen and Mandy were both exuding what Zoë’s sixth sense identified as a post-coital glow, and she felt happy for them.
‘It’s a beautiful day.’ Imogen sounded cheerful. ‘And of course it’s Christmas tomorrow.’
‘Christmas, Christmas!’ Bella launched happily into a rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’ and the adults exchanged glances.
‘What time was she awake this morning?’ Zoë looked across at Mandy.
‘Surprisingly late – presumably because of the sledging and the fresh air last night. But if last Christmas is anything to go by, she’ll probably be awake at five tomorrow morning – assuming we manage to get her off to sleep tonight.’
Zoë looked across the room. There were one or two presents already on the floor at the foot of the tree, and she made a mental note to add her own gifts to the pile after she had wrapped them. As her hot chocolate arrived, so did Juliet and Lorna. She wondered what decision Lorna had made about her former boyfriend, but decided not to ask in front of the others.
‘Morning, you two. Sleep well?’
Juliet poured a glass of orange juice and came over to them.
‘Like a log – in fact I have done every night this week. It must be the mountain air.’
She looked very serene and Zoë wondered yet again to whom she had been referring the other day when she had admitted to feeling attraction to somebody here. She had spent quite a bit of time speculating who it could be, but without success. In any case, now that all the couples looked far more settled – and assuming that there was surely no way Juliet could possibly have designs upon Grant – presumably she had had to lay those feelings to rest. Of course, there was always the unknown quantity of tonight’s ball. Mind you, Zoë thought, the chances of there being two Prince Charmings in the same place on the same night – or three if Lorna was also on the lookout – were likely to be slim in the extreme. She smiled at the thought and dedicated herself to her fruit salad.
‘So, who’s doing what today?’ Lorna came across and sat down. By this time, Bella had climbed up onto Zoë’s lap and was happily picking the blueberries out of her fruit salad, under the disapproving eyes of her mother.
‘The forecast’s good if anybody feels like skiing.’ Juliet looked across at Zoë. ‘Or are you off with Billy again?’
Zoë shook her head. ‘It wasn’t discussed. I imagine he must have things to do – especially with the ball coming up tonight. Besides, I think it’s only fair I let Daniela have her husband back. I’ve been hogging him a bit.’
‘She really doesn’t seem bothered, Zo.’ Juliet grinned. ‘I don’t think you need worry about finding yourself with an Italian knife in the back. Anyway, she and I are going for a nice gentle ski this morning. You’re very welcome to join us.’
Zoë’s omelette arrived at that moment and she picked up her fork.
‘I will, thanks. I need to justify having a cooked breakfast. What about the rest of you? Any plans?’
‘I promised I’d take Bella skating on the lake this morning – her skiing lessons have finished for Christmas. That way Martin can have a bit of a lie-in.’ Mandy grinned. ‘For some reason he’s feeling rather worn out this morning.’
Ignoring the innuendo – traditionally her prerogative – Lorna explained her own plans for the day.
‘I’m taking the train to Salzburg and back. I really loved the look of the place the other night.’
Zoë wondered if this meant Lorna had decided to go and meet her boyfriend off the plane, but made no comment.
‘And what about you, Imogen?’
‘The usual – rest and recuperation. This holiday has been doing me so much good.’
‘And Fergus?’
‘He went off snowboarding at eight o’clock. He’s a total addict. Still, he was only saying this morning how much happier he feels as a result of this break. We’ve all got so much to thank Billy for, haven’t we? And not just Billy.’ As she said it, her eyes met Zoë’s, but neither passed comment.
* * *
Zoë had a lovely morning’s skiing with Daniela and Juliet and enjoyed chatting to them while they were on the lifts. She was delighted to see that Juliet had been right. Daniela appeared to be completely relaxed about the fact that her husband had been spending time on the slopes with another woman. In fact, she had a message for Zoë from Billy.
‘Billy’s had to go to Salzburg again this morning – a business thing – but he asked me to ask if you felt like a quick ski with him this afternoon. He and I have to be back by four at the latest, but he said something about powder skiing again, if you’re up for it. He said he’ll try and meet us up at the main restaurant at lunchtime.’
That sounded like an excellent idea to Zoë – as long as Billy didn’t take her over any more precipices. Yesterday had been amazing, but she still found herself remembering that frighteningly steep first section, and knew she would be happier doing something a little bit less challenging – not least as she would be dancing the night away later.
After a most enjoyable morning on the slopes, they reached the restaurant at half past twelve. They were fortunate to arrive on the terrace just as a group was leaving, and so managed to take over their table. They settled down, basking in the warm sunshine – although in the shade the temperature was still around zero – and ordered sandwiches. As it turned out, Billy didn’t arrive until about one o’clock, apologising for his lateness.
‘Sorry, Danni, sorry girls, I got held up in Salzburg. Anyway, that’s it as far as business is concerned until after Christmas. Had a good morning?’
Daniela nodded and answered for all of them.
‘Beautiful. Maybe a bit tame for Zoë, but I told her you would take her off piste this afternoon.’
Billy looked across at Zoë. ‘Fancy a bit of powder again?’
‘That sounds terrific, but please, no terribly steep slopes. I almost had nightmares last night.’
‘Of course. How does an hour or two in the trees sound? No precipices, no Hubschrauber, just a pleasant afternoon in the deep snow.’
‘That sounds perfect.’
And that was what it turned out to be. As Daniela and Juliet disappeared down the main piste, Zoë set off after Billy through the fir trees. They worked their way gradually across the slope as far as the last lift. Th
is was a long chairlift, and once they were sitting on it, they had a chance to talk.
Zoë filled him in on developments with the other members of the group – without revealing any secrets – and he looked and sounded happy for them all. He then managed to put his finger on the odd one out.
‘And what about you, Zoë? Now you say it’s all definitely over between you and Grant, what’s your next move?’
She grinned at him. ‘I’m pinning my hopes on the ball tonight. Like I told you, I’ll dig out my glass slippers and hope that Prince Charming puts in an appearance.’
‘And if he doesn’t?’
‘I’m not bothered. With a few exceptions – like yourself, for example – I’m not exactly too keen on the male of the species at the moment. It’ll probably take a while, but sooner or later I imagine I’ll meet someone, and I’ll just have to hope this one’s better than the last.’
‘You’ll meet someone, Zoë. I know it. You’re bright, you’re very beautiful and you’ve got a big heart.’
Fortunately they reached the top of the lift at this point, just before Zoë’s embarrassment became too obvious. As they set off again across the slope in the other direction, she found herself thinking almost wistfully about Billy. If only she had known him before Daniela. Of course, she corrected herself, she had known him before Daniela, but that was back in his nerdy days. And this recent attraction wasn’t just because Billy was now immensely rich. It was because he was a truly nice, generous man, who also happened to be very good-looking.
As she followed his dancing form ahead of her, she had to admit that he did have a rather fine backside. Such was her attention to the aesthetic aspects of his derrière, however, her concentration slipped, and for the first time this week, she lost control and went flying, landing in a heap, half buried in a snowdrift.
Gingerly she lifted her head and took stock. She had lost her woolly hat, her hair was covered in snow and she could feel a cold, damp sensation in the open neck of her jacket and even down her back. Her skis had come away from their bindings and were presumably somewhere underneath all the snow, and she had lost both her poles. She struggled into a kneeling position, relieved not to feel any pain – presumably only her pride was injured. As she hunted around for her poles to give her some leverage as she tried to stand up in the deep snow, she heard Billy’s voice.
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