A Winter Affair (33 page)

But now, thanks to Eloise, Debra was not suing them, Theo's dreams of becoming a ski instructor and guide were safe, and although money was still going to be tight, he no longer had to consider other ways to make Jacaranda pay and he could turn down Aurelia's offer to go in with him.

He must now confront her, tell her that though interested in seeing her ideas for Jacaranda – ideas he'd since discovered she'd been working on for some time, hoping to muscle in and use his chalet and the land around it to team up with her expensive takeaways and charge a fortune for it – he would not be taking up her offer to go into business.

Jacaranda being one of the oldest and most charming chalets around still needed to make a profit and he must think up more ways to make it happen, look into Quinn's suggestion of holding art classes and such. But now there was no fear of trying to turn Jacaranda into something it was not, a brand new, soulless building full of all the mod cons the very rich demanded. Jacaranda would sell itself to those who cared for warmth, good memories and a home from home.

Eloise had saved him from a damaging lawsuit. He must now put things right and hope that she would stay.

They were all looking at something on the table in the kitchen when Eloise came in after they had finished breakfast.

Theo turned to her, ‘Come and see what Radley has done for us.'

‘It's very atmospheric, a wonderful photograph.' Lawrence smiled at her.

Radley was looking rather pink and pleased with himself and Pippa was cuddling close to him.

They moved away to let Eloise in and she was surprised to see a beautiful photograph of Jacaranda caught just as the sun was setting, painting it in gold. Underneath was a short article.

Jacaranda sits like a benevolent uncle on the side of the mountain
… it began, going on to describe it as a magical place, a place it was a joy to stay in.

‘This is beautiful, describes it exactly,' she said, turning to him, surprised that such artistic talent was hidden in his shy character. It touched her that he had caught the chalet's unique atmosphere so well. She wondered if Debra had seen it, and if she'd think it too sentimental.

‘He's brilliant at writing,' Pippa said proudly, ‘it's just a pity Debra doesn't think it a good profession.'

‘Now you've bought that publishing firm you can write all you want, and this is lovely, thank you so much, Radley.' Lawrence beamed at him, making him go even pinker with embarrassed pride.

The moment was broken by Debra and Ken appearing in the hall and calling for Radley. He hurriedly snatched up the picture and pushed it at Pippa, who put it back into a large envelope while he went out to them.

Eloise was dreading seeing Debra, fearful of her reaction after she'd reduced her to tears, but she had to apologize for upsetting her. She was not to know of her difficult childhood and that she had inadvertently hit on a painful nerve. She'd acted out of panic, though, she reminded herself it had worked and Jacaranda was saved… for the moment anyway.

But what if she'd inadvertently saved it for Aurelia? The fate of Jacaranda was nothing to do with her, she reminded herself, she must accept that and move on.

This she said to Vera when they were left alone together in the kitchen. ‘I feel dreadful that I made her cry,' she finished.

‘Good to cry,' Vera said. ‘But it must make you strong, make the changes you need to be happy.'

‘But I must say something to her, apologize for upsetting her,' Eloise said. ‘I didn't think, I just said what I wanted to say, I could have it made it worse. I mean, I'm only the cook.'

‘So? You are allowed opinions,' Vera said scornfully. ‘You did nothing wrong, just told her she could lose Lawrence Jacaranda and ruin Theo's life. It wouldn't matter to her, she'd go home and forget, and he loses everything. Rich people should do good with money not bad things.' She mopped up a small dribble of coffee with a vengeance. ‘Oh… do you know that Desmond is coming for a visit?' Vera went on. ‘So good he is coming back. Will you be here to see him?'

‘Oh, I didn't know, Lawrence never said.' She was surprised he hadn't told her his father was making a visit. Desmond hadn't been here for years, and she understood he'd put off coming here because he couldn't bear to think of Jacaranda without his beloved Maddy. But was she going to stay? The thought had plagued her all night. She loved it here, felt at home, complete again. It was a long time until the summer, when she was going to New Zealand to see her parents and meet up with the twins. Lawrence needed to know as soon as possible as he had another chef waiting to know if she were needed, so she must make her decision today.

It was Lawrence she wanted to be with, the thought nudged annoyingly into her mind. She had known her feelings for him for some time, though she had blocked them, warning herself that theirs was purely a professional relationship, and yet had he not held her, kissed the top of her head? But no that was foolish; she was not going to put herself in danger of being hurt again or build up some mad scenario of him being attracted to her, even caring for her in a romantic way.

There was so much else here to make her happy though – Theo, Bert, Vera and Saskia and the mountains and the snow, so why not stay on? Her job in London could be kept on hold for a while longer. There was no one back home waiting for her, and the weather would be so grey and cold. A damp sort of cold that ate into your bones, not exhilarating and beautiful like here in the mountains – and skiing, there was no skiing in London.

‘I'm not sure, I have things at home,' she said lamely to Vera. After thinking it over Lawrence might decide he'd do better to employ this other chef and send her home. ‘When is Desmond coming though, I would love to see him.'

‘Easter, though we are full at Easter – he will have to go in Lawrence's room and Lawrence will have to go elsewhere.' Her dark eyes flickered towards Eloise and away and she felt herself blush, which was foolish indeed. She must put a stop to this nonsense, it would be best to go home, sort out the new house, get back to her job and her life and friends back home. She would tell him that when she saw him.

Later, between mouthfuls of cereal, Theo thanked Eloise for saving him and Jacaranda. ‘Dad said you made Debra see sense,' he said.

‘I don't know if that is strictly true, I was afraid I said too much,' Eloise said.

Theo shrugged, ‘Thanks anyway.'

He told her he was going to spend the rest of the day skiing with friends – his father had given him the day off but he would have to leave Bert behind. ‘Sorry Bert,' he bent and patted him, ‘but it's too far for you today.'

‘I'll take him for a walk later,' Eloise said, having decided to spend the day around the chalet as a sort of farewell before she left.

‘If you're sure, thanks,' Theo said. ‘Tomorrow this lot are leaving, so I've got to take them to the airport.' He paused a moment before saying, ‘I don't know if Jerry and Gaby are still around.'

She saw the hurt in his eyes, perhaps thinking of Jerry letting him down by siding with Debra over the avalanche.

‘I haven't heard from Gaby, I think she'd have said if she'd gone home,' Eloise said, wondering what decision Gaby had made over her relationship with Jerry. She would text her later, suggest they meet up in the village. She sat down to make a list for dinner – their last one – this evening. She could hear them getting ready to leave; the chatter, the clump of ski boots. Lawrence came into the kitchen.

‘I'm taking them down and then I'm skiing myself, do you want to come with me, Eloise?' The remark was thrown out as if he felt it would be churlish not to offer.

‘No thanks, I've lots to do here and Bert and I will go for a walk later. Have a good time.' She threw him a smile, hoping he couldn't see the pain in her heart. She would miss him, miss everything about the place, but that is how it was saying goodbye to places and people that had crept under your skin and become part of you.

‘OK, see you later then.' He turned to go, then said, ‘By the way Desmond is coming here for Easter.'

And before she could answer he'd gone. She heard the front door open, felt the cold rush of air while everyone trooped out. Then the door closed and she assumed they had all left, so she went down the passage to the stairs to go to her room. Debra was sitting on the bench putting on her boots; she looked up and saw her.

‘Debra, I… I thought you'd gone with the others,' Eloise blurted.

‘I'm just about to.' Debra stood up and picked up her bag.

‘I… I'm really sorry if I upset you,' Eloise said in a rush, ‘I didn't mean to, but thank you so much for changing your mind about taking legal action. You have saved Jacaranda.'

Debra blushed, ‘I wouldn't say I've done that, but I listened to what you said and understood what you meant, and as Ken said, no one was hurt.' Debra made for the door and then she turned and faced her. ‘I wanted a good and secure home for my son and I hope I've achieved it, but I see now there are things money can't buy, I'm just not sure I‘ve done it right.'

‘I'm sure you have, and Radley is very talented.' She was about to praise his beautiful photograph and article about the chalet, when she remembered his bundling it away when Debra had called him, better to leave it. ‘Anyway thank you so much,' she added instead.

Debra just shrugged opened the door and went out to join the others, leaving Eloise feeling sorry for her. Debra had done her best in the way she knew and she shouldn't judge her.

A few minutes later Eloise left to go down to the village to shop for the dinner. After the party left tomorrow morning they had a few quiet days before the next group – friends of Lawrence's – arrived for a long weekend, so there was not much to buy today.

She saw no one she knew in the village; Saskia had gone to Geneva with Quinn, and she thought she'd leave Gaby to get in touch with her if she wanted to. When she got back to Jacaranda she found that Vera had left, so she and Bert were alone in the chalet.

She had just finished tidying away the shopping when she heard the door of the chalet open. It was probably Debra and possibly Ken coming back and Eloise went down the passage to see, closely followed by Bert who was hoping it was Theo who'd returned. It was Aurelia. Both women stared at each other.

‘Oh, Aurelia, what are you doing here?' Eloise struggled to appear composed, surprised and concerned to see her.

Aurelia quickly hid her own shock at seeing Eloise, and putting on her imperious voice, she said, ‘It's OK, I just came to… measure up properly, see the space… there's so much wasted potential.'

‘Measure up for what?' Eloise demanded. Had Aurelia and Lawrence decided to go into business together after all, and she had come to lay her claim? But if he was going in with her why was he not here to show her round, discuss it with her?

‘I won't bore you with it,' Aurelia waved her hand dismissively as if she wouldn't understand anyway. ‘I just want to look round, see the size of the bedrooms, bathrooms – see how many there are, and all that.' She turned towards the stairs.

It was not her business and yet she could not let Jacaranda go with a fight. There was something about Aurelia's stance that made her suspicious.

‘Did you tell Lawrence you were coming? I would have thought he would have liked to show you around the chalet himself?' she said, moving to bar the stairs. Bert, sensing the atmosphere, growled.

‘That dog's dangerous,' Aurelia said, watching him warily. ‘Shut him away,' she commanded.

‘He's fine; he belongs here and is just guarding the place. I think it best that you come back when Lawrence is here, see what he thinks.'

‘He's off skiing now, I saw him at Medran, ready to go up.'

‘So he knows you're here?'

Aurelia wouldn't look at her, she said firmly, ‘As I'm here I'll just take a look around.' She took out an iPad and a tape measure from her bag and made for the stairs, a determined look on her face. ‘Move out of my way please, Eloise, this is absolutely nothing to do with you, you came here to cook and I understand you leave in a few days.'

‘Our guests are still here and I doubt they'd feel happy knowing a stranger was going into their rooms. I'll text Lawrence' – she took her mobile out of her pocket – ‘and see what he thinks, but while I'm here alone, I will not let you go upstairs.' She began to text him.

‘Just because this used to belong to your godfather it doesn't mean you belong here,' Aurelia said, her eyes spiteful. ‘Jacaranda is Lawrence's now and he and I could make a real go of it, modernize it, bring in clients like these ones every time, now he's with this top agency, but he's got to change things if he wants to stay there.'

Eloise struggled with her feelings. Aurelia no doubt spoke the truth, but she would not allow her to poke round the chalet without Lawrence being here. She finished her text.

Her finger hovered over ‘send' as she watched for Aurelia's reaction. ‘I'll wait and see what he says.'

Aurelia's mouth twisted in anger, ‘I'll come back later, I'll tell Lawrence how rude you are, acting as if you own the place and have forgotten you're only the cook, and not a good one at that. He'll be relieved, we all will, when Paddy comes back, he's the sort of chef the clients who come here expect.' She snatched at the door handle, jerked it open and stamped outside to her car without shutting it, leaving the cold air to seep in.

Eloise shut the door and deleted the text. There was no point in bothering him, spoiling his skiing. She struggled to collect her feelings. Aurelia was right, she was only the cook, and though Lawrence had asked if she would stay on as Paddy had another job, Jacaranda's fate was nothing to do with her. It was a business and perhaps Lawrence had decided that to keep it viable it would be best to make some sort of arrangement with Aurelia. After all, if all her food were here there would be no need to worry about getting and keeping a chef.