glistening in marble and chrome to the other side.
‘Just stunning,’ I said. ‘You often complained about ski accommodation being poky. This is not what I’d call poky.’
Angie gasped beside me. ‘That was when we first went. Standards have changed. I think we’ve struck gold with this though. I know it’s not particularly large, not when you see some chalets out here, but I’m sure it should be double the price Harold has charged us.’
A breathless Lou whirled in. ‘A real gem, Angie. It’s beautiful. And let’s thank our lucky stars, eh?’
‘I should say – just beautiful,’ I agreed, heading across the landing. Apart from the shades of soft furnishings, the second bedroom mirrored the first. ‘OK, my beautiful Flowers, you need nourishment – time for wine,’ I said, dancing towards the stairs. ‘And to sort out our rooms.’
As we drank our wine, admiring more and more detail in the chalet, Cathy pulled down her glasses from the top of her head and wrote our names on four Post-it Notes, which she had found in a kitchen drawer, folded them and put them in a mug before shaking it and holding it out to me.
‘OK. Pick out two, darling,’ she said.
‘Why me?’
Cathy lowered her head and peered at me in her teacher-like manner over her specs. ‘Because, my darling, we decided on you and because the two you choose will share with you. Unless you just want to share with one?’
‘I’m happy with whatever you Flowers have arranged,’ I said, feeling special and picking out the first piece of paper.
‘Drumroll,’ Angie said, then proceeded to create weird ‘brrrhl’ sounds with her tongue.
We rolled our eyes at each other as we burst into laughter.
‘OK,’ I squealed, opening it. ‘First to share with me is …’ I paused to create a bit of drama like they did on TV shows ‘… is our amazing Aussie Flower, Kim.’ I clapped, and Kim clapped with me then leaned forward for a high five.
‘I’m stoked. That’s ace,’ she said slapping my hand harder than I was expecting.
‘Right, and for our next roommate,’ I continued, tipping up the mug and shaking it again before picking the next. Lou was gritting her teeth as she looked at me. ‘Drumroll please?’
We looked at Angie and she obliged with a longer ‘brrrhl.’
‘Our next roommate,’ I said opening the next, ‘is … our marvellous motivator, Angie.’
‘Yes,’ Angie screamed, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.
‘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
