Christmas in Chamonix

by Christmas in Chamonix (retail) (epub)

  ‘You are doing so well!’ Luc shouted. He reached the bottom and showed her how to come to a stop by widening the snow plough.

  Lily widened it, but her thighs starting screaming and she started to lose her balance, falling over again within seconds. ‘Euugh!’

  Luc helped her up. ‘All part of the fun,’ he told her. ‘Seriously. Don’t worry about falling over. You’re going to fall over a lot. I can assure you I still fall over.’

  ‘Now that I would like to see,’ Lily said, spitting snow out of her mouth. ‘God, I must be covered in bruises. And my mum always told me not to eat snow. Or was that just yellow snow?’

  Luc looked confused, then he laughed. ‘Ha! Probably just yellow snow. And yes, you’ll be a little bruised. But you will be OK.’

  Lily raised her eyebrows. She supposed he was right because it was only a few bruises, but she didn’t relish the idea of falling over in the snow all the time. Perhaps it was simply par for the course, though. Par for her course anyway.

  ‘What now?’ she asked.

  ‘Now we go up again.’ Luc set off on his skis. ‘You will need to use your arms to get you to the lift this time!’ he shouted over his shoulder.

  Puffing as she used her poles to stab the snow and push herself forward, Lily wished she’d gone to the gym more when she worked at the spa back home. She’d had no idea skiing was such a physical sport!

  This time she didn’t fall on the button lift. She managed to grab one, tuck it between her legs and go up the slope without issues. She didn’t even fall over when she got off. She was still petrified at the top, however, the height thing still causing issues. Over the next hour, as she and Luc went down the mountain doing excruciatingly slow snow plough turns, Lily estimated that she fell over approximately twenty-three times. Which was particularly galling when five-year-olds were snow ploughing past her without so much as a wobble, shrieking at the sheer fun and fabulousness of it all.

  ‘So I’ve beaten your record then,’ Lily panted, refusing Luc’s hand because she knew she needed to get herself upright without him. ‘Thank you, but God! It’s so hard getting up with skis on.’

  ‘It gets easier,’ Luc held his hand out again as she slipped again. ‘OK. I think we should leave it there for today. You need to grab a hot chocolate or a mulled wine, and you need to relax. And I want you to know that you have done very well today.’

  ‘Oh, Luc.’ Lily took off her goggles and pulled a face. ‘You are a true gentleman. But I think falling over that many times makes me a pretty bad student.’ She put a hand to her face. She was pretty sure she must have red goggle marks all around her eyes, but she couldn’t look any sillier than she had all afternoon, so it really wasn’t an issue.

  Lily sighed. She hadn’t exactly made a great first impression. Not that it mattered, of course. She was here to get over Jamie, not fall for someone else, however attractive Luc was. Lily remembered Elodie. She could imagine these two as a couple – good-looking and sexy, skiing superbly down a mountain together. How depressing. Lily felt totally inadequate all of a sudden.

  Luc stepped expertly out of his skis and helped her out of hers. ‘Falling over doesn’t mean you are a bad student, or that you won’t be able to do this once you’ve had a good set of lessons. Falling over means that you are trying hard.’

  Oh, he was sweet! Falling over meant that she was trying hard. What a lovely way to look at it. All Lily knew was that she was exhausted. And sore. And she felt somewhat humiliated. She didn’t enjoy looking silly and she wasn’t used to not being able to do something well. In fact, she had always prided herself on turning her hand to most things, especially when it came to sport. Lily knew she couldn’t be good at everything and she had no idea why it suddenly mattered to her, but she wanted to be good at this.

  Luc glanced up the mountain. ‘There is Elodie, I think,’ he said, pointing to a figure in black much higher up doing the most superbly stylish parallel turns.

  ‘How can you tell?’ Lily squinted into the distance.

  ‘It’s the bright pink helmet,’ Luc told her. ‘She had it made specially and she always wears it.’

  Lily watched Elodie enviously. She was an amazing skier. Elodie had that effortless, almost laid-back style that only the most natural of skiers could achieve.

  ‘She has been skiing since she could walk,’ Luc informed Lily, seemingly reading her mind.

  ‘It shows,’ Lily said, in awe. She watched Elodie weave skilfully down the mountain without missing a single turn. Her body moved fluidly like poetry in motion, her blond ponytail flicking out from side to side as she turned. As she reached the lower part of the mountain, Elodie performed an almost languid 360 turn on her skis before zig-zagging towards them.

  Show off, thought Lily, wishing more than anything that she could manage a three sixty turn. Or just stay upright for more than five seconds.

  Elodie headed for them at a speed that made Lily nervous. It looked like Elodie was going to crash into them, but right at the last minute, she executed a side turn that brought her to an abrupt standstill and which showered a light spray of snow over Lily.

  Lily gasped and held her arms up as she glanced down at her snow-spattered ski clothes.

  ‘Elodie!’ Luc sounded cross. ‘Stop showing off.’ Now he sounded indulgent.

  Dusting herself off, Lily watched them discreetly, wondering idly what the deal was with the two of them.

  ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to get snow all over you.’ Sounding unrepentant, Elodie lifted her goggles. She turned to Luc and treated him to a wide smile. Her teeth were very white and very straight. ‘Wonderful powder today.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Powder?’ Lily asked. ‘Does that mean fresh snow?’

  Elodie tore her eyes away from Luc long enough to shoot Lily a withering glance. ‘Of course. How was your first ski lesson?’

  ‘Oh, well…’ Lily paused, about to describe her hilarious attempts at staying upright, let alone her snow plough turns.

  ‘She did very well,’ Luc cut in, his dark eyes flashing at Lily, as if warning her to stay quiet. ‘Especially since she has a terrible fear of heights.’

  ‘Really?’ Elodie threw Lily an unsympathetic glance. ‘That won’t help your skiing one bit. If this,’ she gestured to the low plain of the nursery run, ‘has caused you issues, I doubt you’ll get much higher or be able to progress much further with your technique.’

  Luc dusted some snow from Lily’s shoulder. ‘Not true at all. I think I can help Lily with her height issue. And the skiing will come.’

  Elodie shrugged, looking bored. ‘Well, I must get back. I assume I will see you at dinner?’ This was directed at Luc. It was incredible the way she could somehow freeze one person out whilst focusing her entire attention on the other person. It was rather impressive, if exceptionally ill-mannered.

  ‘Possibly not.’ Luc inclined his head politely. ‘I might be seeing my parents.’

  Elodie smirked and snapped her boots smartly out of her skis. ‘OK,’ she said, as though she didn’t believe him. ‘I’ll see you later either way.’ With barely a nod in Lily’s direction, Elodie strode away, somehow even making the heel to toe motion of walking in her snow boots seem elegant.

  ‘Let’s go,’ Luc said, looking tight-lipped for the first time that day.

  Lily followed Luc off the slope, knowing her clonking strides were far less elegant than Elodie’s, but she was so tired, she was past caring. Glancing at his face as they walked side by side, Lily couldn’t read it and she was dying to ask him about Elodie. What was the story between the two of them? Lily sensed something. Chemistry, perhaps? Conflict of some kind? A clash of personality? History? Maybe Imogen knew more than she was letting on. Lily would grill her later. She was fascinated by their dynamic and she wanted to know more. Just out of curiosity, of course.

  Gallantly taking her skis from her and carrying them on his shoulder, Luc chatted to Lily about skiing and about a restaurant in town he
really liked which apparently did the best fondue he’d ever had. For her part, she quizzed him about the skiing terms she’d heard that morning and laughed as he de-mystified the slang for her.

  ‘Carving? That is turning whilst on the edge of the skis, moving from one side to the other,’ Luc explained as they neared the hotel.

  ‘Doubt I’ll ever do that,’ Lily tried to take her skis back, but Luc refused. ‘A bomber?’

  Luc frowned. ‘I think that is a skier or a snowboarder coming down the mountain in a way that is out of control.’

  ‘OK, how about traverse?’

  ‘Going across the mountain rather than down. Zig-zag, do you call it?’

  ‘Yes. And what was the other one?’ Lily thought for a second. ‘A whiteout.’

  ‘A whiteout is when you can’t see because of heavy snow or fog.’ Luc set their skis down as they arrived outside the boot room.

  ‘Crikey. I hope I never experience that. I’d be petrified.’

  Lily followed Luc into the boot room. It was a large, chalet-style area with straight prods sticking out of one of the walls, some with wet ski boots hanging from them, the others bare or with slippers on. The other walls were sectioned off to hold skis.

  ‘So your skis go in here,’ Luc slotted them in for her and removed his helmet. His dirty blond hair was squashed down onto his head, but he ran a hand through and it looked all sexy-messy again. ‘And your boots there.’ He started removing his boots quickly. ‘Shall I remove yours for you?’

  ‘My boots? Oh no, don’t be silly.’ Lily sat down, wincing as her bruised bum came in contact with the solid wooden bench in the middle of the room. ‘I can do it.’ Bending over, she struggled with the straps and bindings, her fingers numb from the cold.

  ‘Wait. I’ll show you.’

  Luc hung his boots up and went down on one knee and undid her bindings. As he released the catches on her boots, Lily let out a joyful squeak. My God, but those boots were uncomfortable! Her feet felt swollen now that the tight boots were off. It was as though the blood supply had been cut off. Lily was sure she would have marks all over her legs where the straps had been. She couldn’t wait to take her thick ski socks off – even they felt restrictive.

  ‘Oh wow, thank you,’ Lily breathed. She caught a whiff of Luc’s aftershave and couldn’t help inhaling deeply. It was woody and masculine. She suddenly realised his head was right by her feet – which must be horribly sweaty after all those hours stuck in tight boots. And what if – God forbid – they smelt?

  ‘Right, I’d better go,’ Lily said, anxious to get her sweaty feet away from Luc’s nose.

  Luc stood up. ‘Me too. A long bath would be good. Relax your muscles.’ He looked at her face and laughed. ‘What am I saying? You are a masseuse. You know all this.’ He paused. ‘Nice to meet you, Lily.’

  ‘And you,’ Lily said, still enjoying the way he said her name. She’d better not be blushing. ‘Thank you for your patience today. I know I wasn’t the easiest of students.’

  Luc shook his head. ‘No apologies. I think you were very brave today. I have some thoughts about your fear of heights, but leave it with me.’

  ‘Oh OK. Thank you.’

  ‘I’ll see you later.’ With that, Luc left.

  Lily stood up and let out a yelp. Her legs were killing her. Her bum was killing her. Her arms were killing her. Her feet felt as though they had been pushed through a mangle. A hot bubble bath was definitely in order. And then Lily wanted a hot chocolate followed by a huge glass of mulled wine. Preferably followed by another one.

  Chapter Ten

  Lily sank into the bath and let out a contented sigh. Hot, bubbly water had never felt so good. She’d quickly washed her hair in the shower before filling the tub with scented bubble bath, keen to grab some hot water before it all disappeared. She clipped her wet, auburn hair up and laid back.

  ‘So how was it?’ Imogen came bounding in, still in her ski clothes. She sat on the edge of the bath.

  ‘Pants,’ Lily replied dramatically. She sank lower into the tub. ‘Well. I was terrible, let’s put it that way. Pathetic. I fell over so many times, it was cringeworthy. I’m covered in bruises and look like I’ve done ten rounds with Anthony Joshua. And thanks for not mentioning that I shouldn’t put my ski pass next to my tits. I looked like a right wally aiming my boobs at the machine. Luc was lovely though, so it wasn’t all bad.’

  ‘Isn’t he?’ Imogen shot her a mischievous glance. ‘Did you fancy him? And sorry about the ski pass thing.’

  Lily swatted a handful of bubbles her way. ‘No. Yes. I mean, who wouldn’t? He’s seriously hot. But I didn’t actually fancy him, if you get my drift.’

  ‘That’s because you’re still in a Jamie bubble.’ Imogen removed her ski socks with a hiss of pleasure. ‘Oh, thank God. Isn’t it amazing taking your ski socks off?’

  Lily grinned ruefully. ‘Yes, except that mine were rank and Luc took my boots off for me. Face. Feet. Not great.’

  ‘Luc took your boots off for you?’ Imogen looked surprised. ‘He’s a gent, make no mistake, but I’m not sure I’ve seen him do that before. He must like you.’

  ‘He likes Elodie,’ Lily retorted, soaping herself down. ‘Or Elodie likes him. Any goss about the two of them?’ she added casually.

  Imogen narrowed her eyes, as if she suspected Lily had an ulterior motive for asking, but then focused on the question. ‘Hmm. There’s something between them for sure, but I don’t know. I don’t think he seems overly interested in her if I’m honest. They’re close, but I don’t think it’s a sex thing.’ Imogen took down her ponytail, allowing her thick, ebony hair to hang freely. ‘I could be wrong, of course.’

  ‘Oh well.’ Lily shrugged nonchalantly, not sure why she was even asking. Jamie had been in her thoughts on and off all day and her heart kept pinging because she missed him so badly.

  ‘Everyone fancies Luc,’ Imogen said, standing up and starting to clean her teeth. ‘Because he’s lovely as well as hot. But I haven’t seen him with anyone since I got here.’

  Lily thought about that then dismissed it. ‘Am I on dinner duty again?’

  ‘Yes. While we’re still short staffed. Sylvan’s made his famous duck dish tonight. All the guests love it. Do you have any massages booked for later?’ Imogen finished cleaning her teeth.

  ‘No, but I noticed that Sylvan has booked a few in.’ Lily pulled a face and shuffled down deeper into the bath. ‘I’m guessing he always has massages, though? Working in a kitchen?’

  ‘No!’ Imogen burst out laughing. ‘He hasn’t booked any massages before as far as I know. Sylvan fancies you!’

  Lily shuddered. Sylvan wasn’t her type and the last thing she needed was someone trying it on with her. Especially during a massage.

  ‘Sylvan is hot on your trail. I’ll have to see you and Luc together to know if you have chemistry, but I would love it if you two got it on.’ Imogen.

  Lily threw bubbles at Imogen. ‘Shut up, Ims! I’m not here for that. And Luc is a playboy. He must be. No one looks like that and doesn’t play about.’

  ‘He’s in his thirties, though,’ Imogen commented reasonably. ‘He’s probably been a player, but I don’t know if he is now. As I say, I’ve not seen him with a member of staff or a guest since I’ve been here.’

  ‘Probably got some secret girlfriend stashed away somewhere,’ Lily commented.

  ‘Probably. Did you get back to Jamie?’ Imogen pushed her dark hair out of her face.

  ‘Not yet. I will do, though. I don’t want to be rude, but I also need to totally friend-zone him.’

  ‘Hell yes. That’s absolutely the way to go.’

  ‘How was your skiing today?’ Lily asked.

  ‘Perfection,’ Imogen said, climbing out of the tub. She wrapped a towel around her and handed one to Lily. ‘Once you get the hang of it and get the bug, it really is incredible. Ollie is really good, actually. He’d said he’d teach you if you want. Luc will be teaching lessons most
of the time,’ she added.

  ‘Of course.’ Lily got out of the bath gingerly. ‘Oh man, I ache all over. That’s really lovely of Ollie. I just hope he’s patient. I am seriously bad.’

  Imogen waved a hand. ‘So was I at the start. Don’t worry. Come on, we’ll be late, Lils. We’re on a strict timeline in this place and Celine will be on our case if we’re not on time.’

  ‘I’m on it.’

  Lily hurried out of the bathroom to get dressed and blow dry her hair with the terrible hotel dryer. She still hadn’t gotten back to Jamie and she was desperate to talk to him, but she simply didn’t have the time.

  * * *

  Sylvan’s duck dish was indeed a triumph.

  Confit of duck with a cassoulet of haricot beans, pancetta and Toulouse sausage, served with duchesse potatoes according to the menu Sylvan had displayed prominently in the lounge area. Handwritten in swirly, barely legible handwriting, each course was thoroughly described. Before the main course of duck with golden swirls of baked and piped mashed potatoes, the guests had enjoyed salmon mousse choux pastries in the shape of fish. And the dessert was Poire belle Hélène – pears poached in a sugar syrup, served with a chocolate sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream, creamy and pale, flecked with fragrant vanilla. Quite simply, the entire menu was superb. Lily couldn’t help thinking Sylvan was rather wasted in this tiny, if lovely, hotel. He could certainly work somewhere more high profile if he wanted.

  Sylvan swept self-importantly through the restaurant in the manner of a Michelin-starred chef, stopping to speak graciously to guests and to discuss his culinary skills, pausing occasionally to make sure the staff had served his dishes with the leg bone facing downwards.

  ‘I have booked a massage with you for Monday,’ Sylvan told Lily as she walked past carrying two plates laden with duck.

  ‘Yes, I saw that,’ she replied in a civil tone, sighing inside. ‘I hope you enjoy it.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure I will,’ he replied, giving her a meaningful look.

  Lily pulled a mock-horror face at Imogen as they swirled past each other in the dining area. The Devereuxs were not present, but Pierre had called a meeting in the staff area after dinner for all but a few staff who would man the bar for the guests.