4.
Chloe’s dad hadn’t messed around. He had arranged for a car to come and collect them first thing the following morning so Chloe had spent the rest of the evening dashing around and packing her belongings for the next two weeks. As she filled her suitcase with wooly jumpers and thermals, she couldn’t help but let her fingers dance over the selection of bathing suits and bikinis she had in her bottom drawer. She thought of how stunning it would be at their winter retreat in the mountains, underneath the stars and amongst the snow, relaxing in a hot tub and sipping champagne. She nearly squealed with excitement as she pulled a bathing suit free from the drawer and threw it into her case. She couldn’t wait to be away from her hometown, away from Damon, and to be doing something new for the first time in a long time.
The following morning as she got into the car with her mom and Oliver they all waved goodbye to her dad and she blew a kiss to him from the window. She would miss him, but she was glad they wouldn’t just be hanging around the house feeling the big gaping hole that he would leave. Her dad was a shrewd business man, and he had done well in his life. Chloe knew that he would always put them first so it must have been important for him to leave at this time of year. She turned back and looked over her shoulder as their beautiful home and her doting father slipped out of view.
Now they were really on their way, and she was so excited she could barely sit still.
The cabins in the woods were twinkling with lights as they pulled into the mountain resort and weaved their way up the thin, winding roads to their lodge. Chloe was almost pressing her nose against the glass of the window to try and see what was out there in the dark and her heart thumped with anticipation. The snow was thick and pure, and even in the dark the white shone out of the night and seemed alive around them.
“This is incredible,” she whispered and her mom squeezed her hand with an excited smile.
“I still wish Dad were here,” Oliver complained from the front seat and Chloe found herself rolling her eyes. Her brother could always be counted on to try and dampen the mood.
As the driver pulled up outside of what would be there new home for the following two weeks Chloe’s excitement peaked and she snapped off her safety belt and bounded out of the car. Her eyes were wide and expectant as she looked up at the amazing lodge in front of them. It was so big, so luxurious, and so fantastic that she didn’t know what to say. It had already been fully kitted out with decorations and the twinkling Christmas trees that flanked the impressive doorway were just the icing on the cake.
“Wow,” she said with a laugh. “This is something else.”
She walked forward and waited at the foot of the steps for her brother and mom to catch up and then they all climbed them together, holding on to one and other to make sure they didn’t slip. As her mom slid the key into the door and turned the latch and they opened it and walked inside, Chloe felt her jaw drop…
She walked in to one of the most exquisite rooms she had ever been in. The ceiling was high and vaulted with beautiful exposed beams that were covered in garlands, candles were lit and stags heads were mounted on the walls, before an open fire that roared in the huge hearth. It was like something out of a movie, it was so perfect and so Christmassy, she knew that they were going to have an amazing time.
“I may be able to forgive your father after all,” her mom joked as the driver pulled their suitcases into the lobby and waited to be tipped.
“I’ve got first call on the rooms!” Oliver shouted as he raced off up the main staircase and Chloe instinctively rolled her eyes. For an eighteen year old, he was still so immature it drove her nuts.
Later that evening after they had all unpacked and pulled themselves together, Chloe stood on the decked terrace that ran the full exterior of the lodge and looked out over the balcony and down into the valley. The small town at the center of the resort was fully visible from their vantage point in the mountains and it must only have been a short walk down there by sticking the resort paths.
“It looks so picturesque,” she smiled as she hugged her arms around herself.
“It’s lame,” Oliver’s voice came from behind her as he stepped out of the double French doors and slid them closed behind him.
“Trust you,” she snapped.
“Well I’d rather be back at home, wouldn’t you?” he said.
“No,” Chloe said defiantly, “Obviously not. I think it’s great here.”
“Well I’ve got nothing to do and no way of even getting any booze. No one knows me here.”
“Well that’s tough luck,” Chloe found herself smirking. It was about time her annoying little brother had his comeuppance.
“I don’t suppose you’d…” he trailed off but looked at her with pleading eyes.
“No chance,” Chloe roared with laughter. “All the Christmas Spirit in the world couldn’t get me to go and buy you booze.”
She slapped him playfully on the arm and pouted in mock disappointment.
“Maybe Mommy will let you have a glass of her wine… if you’re a good boy.”
Chloe couldn’t help but burst into laughter as Oliver clenched his fist in mock fury.
“Sorry Ollie,” she shook her head and giggled. “But you’re on your own on that one.”
Oliver covered his eyes with his hands and groaned.
“Anyway,” Chloe smiled as she turned back towards the door to the lodge and slid it open, “That reminds me… it’s about time I went and checked out what sort of bars they have in this town.”
“I hate you,” Oliver said jokingly as she walked away and closed the door behind her and grinned at him through the glass.
“Are you two winding each other up?” her mom said as she lounged on the plush couch and nursed a glass of red wine.
“What else are the holidays for?” Chloe smirked.
“You two…” her mum smiled.
“I’m going to head down into town,” she said as she picked up her purse and pulled on her coat. “I don’t suppose you want to come?”
Her mom shook her head and yawned.
“I’m far too tired for that,” she said. “But go on, have a good time… just be safe, stick to the roads.”
“Of course I will,” Chloe shook her head. “What do you think I am, some kind of idiot…”
“No dear,” her mom laughed. “But you know, strange place, strange town…”
“Luxury resort,” Chloe said. “I hardly imagine it’s going to be crawling with criminals.”
“Have a good time!” Her mom rolled her eyes before swigging her wine and waving her goodbye.
Chloe laughed again and blew her a kiss before making her way to the front door of the cabin and opening it up to the night.