Page 56 of The Chalet Girl

‘The ski train is long closed. We had to ski all the way back to Kristalldorf.’

‘What, they don’t wait for everyone?’

‘No, Little Miss London, the last train is the last train. Then it’s on you to get down. Or me,’ he joked, softening.

Emme realised how catastrophic it could have been.

Her phone rang.

‘Shit, it’s Lexy,’ Emme said, hurrying to answer it.

Tristan smirked a little, again ruffling Emme. This wasn’t funny.

‘Everything alright?’ Lexy asked.

‘Yes, yes, we had such fun at ski school, we’re still in town, but just heading back to the apartment now.’

‘Oh great, I worried they’d skied off to Italy or something.’

‘No no, we’re just heading back now.’

‘Great. KristallKit is being delivered at five pm, so make sure you’re home then. I’ll be back shortly after.’

‘Wonderful, see you there,’ Emme said, panicking a little. She would have to hurry.

Tristan took off his boots and put on a pair of Zegna lo-tops he’d stashed in his small backpack, while Emme and the kids trudged to the locker. Tristan walked over, boots slung round his neck, skis and poles on his broad shoulders.

‘I’ve gotta go, but ski safely on the mountain next time, right?’

Emme nodded knowingly, and swallowed her pride. She knew she needed to get some ski lessons, fast.

‘Thank you. You totally bailed me out. Twice.’

Tristan turned to the kids. ‘Watch out for that one, yah?’ he said, thumbing Emme. ‘She’s trouble!’ He looked back to Emme and winked.

Is he flirting?

Bella giggled.

Then Tristan leaned in to Emme and lowered his voice a little.

‘Hey, if you want to catch up some time, I know you like hanging out around my apartment.’

Emme inhaled quickly. Shock, outrage and embarrassment all rolled into one.

‘Knock on the door and join us next time.’ He smiled a knowing smile which screamed mischief.

In one fell swoop he’d ruined it all. Emme was mortified.

‘I donotwant to be in your throuple, thank you very much,’ Emme hissed, under her breath. Tristan favoured her with a lingering look.

‘Hey, your loss,’ he smiled. ‘And you’re welcome,’ he added, as he walked away without turning back.

Chapter Thirty-Four

By the end of Emme’s first week in Kristalldorf, she was becoming familiar with the kids’ routine and getting used to her new role, yet tired enough that Bill returning from the city for the weekend felt like having a little respite. Lexy had told Emme that she might not be called upon as much at weekends while the family caught up, although she had offered to take the children to a screening ofThe Polar Expressat The Grand Hotel Sommar and Harry had almost seemed to like her when she said he could have sweetandsalty popcorn mixed together. She’d made a friend in Cassie after they went for a coffee after drop-off and another on Sunday morning, and they had graduated to friendly WhatsApps. And she had deliberately not walked past Tristan Du Kok’s balcony again.

On Sunday night, after everyone had gone to bed, Emme googled Tristan Du Kok but found nothing, apart from a few Instagram and LinkedIn profiles of men who clearly weren’t him and a page about Du Kok Estate wines, with a contact number in Stellenbosch but no photo of the man himself.