Page 100 of The Chalet Girl

Lumi had pointed it out.

‘Not great, but isn’t that because of my age?’

‘Hmmm…’ Dr Blitzer said, analysing Walter’s latest blood scores.

‘You have stage three blood cancer Walter, but it does seem to be what we call “smouldering” at the moment.It’s when you flare up that we need to be on high alert. If infections become more frequent, as they were last winter when it was one after the other, we’ll have to alter your treatment plan. By which I mean, consider a more robust and targeted approach.’

Walter nodded unhappily. He had shot down the suggestion of chemotherapy every time Dr Blitzer raised it.

‘It might be wise to avoid crowds while we’re monitoring…’

‘Well it’s too late for that,’ Walter said, with a wry laugh.

‘Kivvi Christingle?’ Dr Blitzer asked.

‘It was yesterday. I didn’t see you there…’

‘Madeline had a concert in Salzburg.’

‘In which case, I am even more grateful for your time this afternoon. Thank you, my friend.’

Dr Blitzer put his stethoscope around his neck and packed up his medical bag. He knew fighting with Walter Steinherr was pointless. Walter knew the steroids he was on could tank his immune system– and still he’d partied. Pointing out the foolishness of living life while you were dying was moot.

‘Until we have the latest biopsy back on the bone marrow, I would just relax Walter, sit and wait.’

He looked flummoxed. And old. Perched on his desk.

‘I’ve never sat and waited for anything my whole life.’

‘I know, but what I mean is, there is no point fearing this cancer. It will flare up at any point and worrying about it won’t make that fact any easier. In fact, worrying might speed it up.’

Dr Blitzer had a way of delivering grave news both bluntly and kindly.

‘Do I look worried?’ Walter asked with a stubborn defiance.

Dr Blitzer gave a rueful smile.

‘I still recommend you avoid crowds indoors while we go through the winter bugs, but I know you won’t forget to enjoy yourself, my friend.’

Walter thought of Kiki, waltzing out of his life as Dr Blitzer prescribed another bottle of iron tablets. He thought of how her secret identity blindsided him. He had never been played for a fool until now; was age catching him off guard? Or was it the cancer? He thought of Lumi, who he ached to be with in his final months.

‘Oh don’t worry,’ he declared. ‘I intend to.’

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Showered, refreshed and in her own clothes, Emme walked around the apartment and wondered how the hell she was going to last there until April. The mood was tense at the best of times; and if Emme wasn’t in Lexy’s good books, it was going to be unbearable.

She got herself a coffee and reflected on her night. The drama of the party had fizzled away the moment Tristan had let her in, but she was worried about Cat, and decided to call her. She didn’t answer, so Emme walked into town to get shampoo and conditioner supplies and something for lunch, then she thought she might call in on Cat to check she was OK.

Outside, the village was bustling. She could feel Kristalldorf was building up to peak season, with the streets getting more crowded with skiers and tourists every day. On the high street Emme saw Tristan outside a bakery, chatting to a bunch of ski instructors, snow falling into his newly washed hair. She couldn’t see his face from her angle, to see how he was, and she didn’t want to go over and say hi. He had been so cold and standoffish when she left. Was there a darker edge to the fuckboy than she could have imagined? Should she heed Lexy’s warning? She glanced at him deep in conversation, holding court with the group,and remembered what Cat had said about Tristan hanging out with the ski instructors. Itwasweird that a billionaire wine buyer mingled with the workers. But then she was a worker too. Maybe he liked to slum it. Emme continued. She couldn’t bear the thought of him being dismissive again.

Tiago was stocking sanitary towels when Emme bumped into him in the supermarket.

‘Thank you so much for last night,’ she said. ‘I put your clothes in the wash…’

Tiago blushed.

‘Hey, don’t worry. You OK?’