What Happens in the Alps... (10 page)

They decided to choose from the set menu that was translated into French, English and Russian and the meal was predictably delightful. The cuisine was modern fusion cookery, rather than traditional mountain fare. In consequence it was lighter and less calorific than some of the typical cheese and meat-based Alpine dishes. After a seemingly never-ending selection of antipasti, ranging from sushi to foie gras, they decided to skip the pasta course and just have a main. Annie chose local trout with almonds while he went for smoked duck breast with balsamic vinegar. By the time they reached the amazing selection on the dessert trolley, Annie was feeling pleasantly full and much more relaxed.

‘So, Alex, what is it you do exactly?'

He sat back and wiped his mouth with his napkin. ‘I work at the hotel, you know, the new one.'

Annie already knew that. ‘Hotel Montalto. It looks fantastic. I'm sure you know I'm going to be doing some work there after Christmas. In fact, I'm scheduled to go up there tomorrow afternoon to talk to the staff and work out different levels for the classes. So, is it true what Massimo said, that you're the big boss?'

Alex smiled. ‘Don't let my father hear you say that. But, yes, I'm the CEO of the group. Massimo runs the Hotel Montalto, and I oversee it along with a handful of other hotels we've got spread around Italy. By the way, talking of my father, he asked me to ask if you would like to come along to his house so he can say thank you to you in person for your kindness with Leo.'

Annie remembered what Massimo had said about the old man's house and its amazing views, so she was quick to accept the invitation. ‘There's no need, really, but I'd love to meet him, and any excuse to see the lovely Leo again.' She caught his eye. ‘I haven't told you that I saw him the other day, have I?'

Alex shook his head. ‘I hope he was suitably grateful.'

Annie remembered the exact circumstances in which she and Leo had met up for the second time and she decided not to go into detail. Paolina still giggled uncontrollably when reminded of Annie's backward skiing exploits. ‘Very effusive. He actually licked my face.'

‘Quite right, too. The very least he could do. So, how was your meal?'

She felt relief at this return to familiar conversational territory. ‘It was excellent. Next time I'm paying, though.' As she spoke she suddenly realised she was telling him she wanted to go out with him again. What on earth was the matter with her? Two years of mourning, preceded by seven years of marriage, had definitely dulled her relationship skills. She hastily pressed on. ‘It was really very kind of you.' A way out suddenly presented itself. ‘So tell me about Leo the dog. Is he really all right again?'

‘Leo's fine. He's got all the space in the world to run round in and, luckily, he loves the snow. And, hopefully, since his accident, he may be a bit warier of running across the pistes. My father just lets him run free, but the more people there are up here these days, the riskier it becomes.'

‘He's a lucky dog having all that space.'

The waiter appeared to clear their plates and offer coffee and liqueurs. Annie glanced at her watch. It was gone ten o'clock, but a cup of coffee did sound like a very good idea.

‘A little espresso please, but nothing else. I don't drink the hard stuff.'

He shook his head. ‘Me neither. At least, not when I've got to drive back up to Montalto.' He looked up and indicated to the waiter that they would have two small coffees. ‘So you're coming up to the hotel tomorrow. I may well see you again then.'

‘The appointment with Massimo is at one thirty and then it'll probably take me most of the afternoon to interview and test all the students, so as to get them grouped according to level.' She caught his eye. ‘After that, if I've got time, I was thinking about trying the new swimming pool. Massimo said I should.'

‘Yes, you definitely should. It's pretty great, especially when you swim out into the open air. I'm out and about most of the day, but I might even join you for a swim if I'm back in time. And then, afterwards, if you feel like it, I'll introduce you to my father.'

As the waiter reappeared, Annie glanced back across the table, imagining what Alex might look like in swimming trunks. An unexpected frisson of excitement flashed through her and she realised that Paolina had been right. This really was a date, at least as far as she was concerned. After the waiter had left them to their coffees, Alex looked up. There was a glint in his eye that had Annie wondering if he had maybe been thinking about her in her bikini. She dropped her eyes and concentrated on her coffee. She heard his voice.

‘I was hoping to see you again soon. Tomorrow would be great. You know, Annie, I've really enjoyed being with you tonight. I hope you feel the same way.'

She looked up and smiled. She had no hesitation. ‘I really have, Alex. It's been wonderful.'

He smiled back, drained his coffee and stood up. ‘I'm so pleased. Now, if you'd just excuse me for a moment.' He went across to the desk in the corner to settle up. Annie watched his strong shoulders as he did so. Naughtily, she even wondered what his bottom might look like, but his suit jacket kept that concealed.
Now
, she thought to herself as she finished her own coffee,
if we go swimming together tomorrow…
. As she put the cup down, her attention still on Alex's body, she accidentally clipped her water glass and saw it wobble first left, then right, then, mercifully, it settled down again, without tipping over and breaking. She heaved a sigh of relief and muttered to herself under her breath that she really had to make an effort to be less clumsy in future.

Alex walked her back to the school. The sky was clear and the frost had turned into ice on the flagstones. She took his arm as they walked, not only for support. It felt very good to have him at her side and she realised her feelings for him could easily develop into something more than casual friendship.

When they reached the outside door of the school building, she wondered for a moment if she should kiss him, but she decided against it. Maybe, if there was a next time. Instead, she held out her hand. ‘Thank you for a lovely night.'

In the light of the street lamp, she could see he was smiling as he shook her hand. ‘Thank
you
, Annie. See you tomorrow, I hope.'

Chapter 8

As Annie drove up to Montalto after lunch on Thursday, she was still thinking about Alex. Her evening with him had been enjoyable, interesting and exciting. She had really had a good time; an exceptionally good time in comparison to most of the last two years of her life. Back home, she had gone straight to bed, but had lain awake for a good while, her brain churning over and over. Thoughts of Steve were succeeded by thoughts of Alex and vice versa. Memories of the early days with Steve in Turin swept through her head. Now, today, as she drove up the winding road towards the hotel, she found she was reliving her wedding day in her mind. She saw the little church, her lovely ivory silk dress, her parents, friends and, of course, Steve, uncomfortable in a suit and tie. Alex, she thought to herself as she approached yet another hairpin bend, was naturally smarter and wouldn't have found wearing a suit any problem at all.

The loud blast of a two-tone horn brought her back to the present with a jolt. She jammed her foot on the brake and squeezed tight against the bank of snow pushed up by the snowplough along the roadside, as a huge tipper truck appeared round the bend. As it went past, she felt quite awed. The massive vehicle's tyres were taller than her whole car. Behind it, a queue of five or six frustrated motorists followed and she waited patiently until the road was once more clear before setting off again. At least the colossal truck had served to return her thoughts to more practical matters. She glanced across at the passenger seat and checked that her briefcase was still there. Inside it were brochures, test papers and a bathing costume.

She parked right outside the hotel in one of the bays marked
Hotel Visitors Only
and walked over to the main entrance. The building, although massive, had been sympathetically designed and built using traditional materials with a lot of visible stone and wood. The architect had ensured that it nestled into the hillside so as to lessen its impact on the stunning Alpine scene. The imposing revolving doors weren't working and she looked round for another way in. Peering inside, she spotted a couple of men in reflective jackets, discussing something on a plan. She tapped on the glass and one of them came over to unlock a smaller door to one side of the main entrance.

‘Good afternoon. Can I help you?' He sounded friendly enough. Annie explained that she had an appointment with Signor Lagrange and the man accompanied her to one of the lifts. The door opened immediately. ‘Sixth floor. You can't miss his office.' Annie thanked him and stepped inside. The doors hissed closed and the lift swept smoothly upwards, stopping with just the slightest jolt only a few seconds later. The man downstairs was right; a large sign on the wall directly opposite the lift was marked
Direzione
. Annie went across and pushed open a frosted glass door. Inside, a dark-haired girl looked up from her computer and gave her an interrogative look.

‘Signora Brewer?' Annie nodded. ‘Good afternoon. I'm Daniela, Signor Lagrange's personal assistant.' The girl stood up from her desk and came over to shake Annie by the hand before leading her to a large door in the end wall. This one was halfway open, a wedge holding it in position as a man in remarkably clean white overalls painted Massimo's name on the glass. The girl poked her head round the door. ‘Signor Lagrange. Signora Brewer is here.'

Seconds later, Massimo emerged, squeezing past the sign writer to shake Annie by the hand and lead her back into his office. It was a most impressive room, set on the corner of the building, with two huge panoramic windows affording spectacular views out over the ski slopes and onto the rugged peaks in the distance. Annie was blown away by the scene outside.

‘If I had a view like this in my office, I'd never get any work done.'

Massimo smiled and indicated she should take a seat on a smart leather sofa. ‘I felt the same way at first. Now, slowly, I'm getting used to it, but you're right – it really is quite something. Now, can I offer you a coffee or maybe you prefer tea, seeing as you're English? You've had lunch, I imagine.'

Annie's lunch had been a couple of biscuits, but after the meal with Alex the previous evening, that was quite enough. ‘An espresso would be lovely, thank you.' Massimo passed on the order to Daniela and came to sit down opposite Annie. He handed a file across the low coffee table to her and pointed at it with his finger.

‘So far we have eight people from management, twelve from reception and hospitality and another dozen or so from the ski school. So just over thirty potential students for you. Will you be able to cope?'

Annie nodded. ‘It all depends on levels. We'll probably need four classes for that number. I'll know better once I've had a chance to interview them all.'

They talked over the practical arrangements while they drank their coffee. At the end of conversation, Massimo gave her a smile. ‘I understand you went out for dinner last night.'

Annie felt the colour rush to her cheeks. ‘Erm, yes. Alex, Alessandro took me to the
Piazza
.'

Massimo's smile broadened. ‘I rather get the impression he likes you.'

‘Well, I rather like him as well, so that's good.' Annie lowered her voice. ‘Apparently I'm to meet his father this evening.'

Massimo nodded. ‘A rare honour.' He also dropped his voice. ‘He's a bit of a hermit these days. He rarely sees people, so you must be especially lucky.'

‘Well, hopefully Alex will be there to look after me.'

‘Of course. By the way, he told me to tell you that he hopes to be back later to go swimming with you. Did you bring your bikini?'

Annie smiled. ‘Not a bikini, just my scruffy old costume, but you did say nobody was going to be in there with me, didn't you?'

‘Well, when you've finished all your interviews, give Daniela a call on the house phone and we'll get somebody to let you into the pool.'

It took Annie three hours to process all the students in one of the conference rooms, and among them she found Paul the ski instructor and Massimo's PA, Daniela. There were also a few other familiar faces from the ski lifts and ski school. She gave each of them a short oral test to establish the different levels. Paul was very friendly while Daniela was more reserved. Her English was already quite good and Annie wondered if she was nervous that Annie wouldn't think it good enough. At the end of their interview she gave Daniela an encouraging smile and the news she wanted. ‘Definitely the top class for you, Daniela. Your English is very good.' For the first time she saw a smile on the girl's face.

As she finally closed her file after the thirty-second interviewee left the room, she sat back and glanced at her watch. It was almost half past five. She ran her hands through her hair. The idea of a swim was very appealing after a long afternoon glued to a chair. The knowledge that she might be accompanied by Alex gave her a shiver of excitement. She picked up the phone on the desk in front of her and dialled Daniela's number.

She was ushered into the empty changing rooms by Daniela herself who pointed out a huge pile of towels. ‘Just help yourself and, when you've finished, drop the towels in the basket.' She returned to the door and pointed at the lock. ‘I'll leave the door locked so nobody else can get in. When you want to leave, just press down on the handle.'

Feeling rather self-conscious in the large room, even if there was nobody about, Annie changed into her trusty old one-piece costume and pinned her hair up. She left her clothes on top of her briefcase and picked up a large, fluffy, white towel, embroidered with
Hotel Montalto
in dark blue. She wrapped it round herself and went out through the door to the pool. It was blissfully warm in there and the water itself, as she slipped off the towel and climbed down the ladder, was like a warm bath. She swam around lazily, enjoying the peace and quiet. All along one side of the room, a whole wall of glass looked out over the piste, casting a yellow glow across the snow. Although there was nobody out there, she felt quite conspicuous.
Luckily
, she thought to herself,
nobody's going to be out there in the dark.