did get the best prize!’ He looks googly-eyed at Gilles.
‘Have you two had your picture taken together yet?’
‘No,’ he says, coyly.
‘Allow me!’ I take his phone and start snapping away. ‘Come on, cuddle up nice and close. That’s adorable!’
‘By the way, Krista,’ Gilles interrupts. ‘I think we need to set aside some time tomorrow to go through the photos for the website.’
‘No rush,’ I chirp. ‘I won’t be posting until I’ve viewed the whole lot, so I can get a good balance of images. Unless you’re concerned you’re not getting the shots … ’
‘Oh no. The quality is there.’
‘Good to know. And the dog-sledding should be great. You did get my message about that, Annique?’
‘Yes, but I don’t know how you did it!’
‘Did what?’ Gilles looks confused.
‘Persuade the Wolfman to let us shoot at his home.’
‘Oooh, the Wolfman. I think you’ve just given me the concept for my new snow sculpture!’ Brandon enthuses. ‘Is he as sexy as he sounds?’
‘Well he does happen to have sixteen husky puppies … ’
‘Goodness,’ Brandon fans himself with a napkin and then playfully nudges his date. ‘You may have a little competition there, Gilles … !’
‘Oh! Here’s Simone and Yves!’ Annique beckons her friends over.
They begin asking me how I like it so far, where I’m staying …
I explain that I managed half a night at the Hôtel de Glace, I’m currently at the Hilton and on Wednesday I’m switching to—
‘Auberge Place D’Armes,’ Annique helps me out.
‘Oh that’s so cute!’ Simone raves. ‘And you have to try their dessert with the banana cognac flambée – c’est magnifique! ’
Before long everyone has slipped into speaking French, which actually suits me fine as I am now enjoying an all-consuming relationship with the fondue. I’m just about to propose to the crusty French bread when Annique elbows me.
‘Do you see the man staring at you from the bar?’
I peek up at the debonair gent with the sandy hair and Aaron Eckhart’s cleft chin and give a little snort. ‘Bless you Annique, but if he’s staring at anyone it’s you.’
‘No, no. I am not mistaken. I can tell the difference. Let’s invite him over.’
‘What? No!’ I flush.
‘You don’t want a little romance in Quebec?’
I catch Gilles’ eye.
‘I’ve already had my fill.’
‘Oh, you mustn’t let one sleazy encounter put you off.’
Gilles looks alarmed – she knows? Annique knows? I can see his mind whirring: is that what they were discussing earlier, so very intently? Is that why they disappeared?
‘It wasn’t just the sleaziness,’ I sigh, milking it. ‘It’s just the big lie, you know. But I’ll say something – the guy has a lot of nerve.’
And then Annique spoils everything by leaning in and telling the others that I met Malhomme.
‘Tell us! Tell us!’ They clamour for a re-enactment but I don’t have the energy to relive it all again so I excuse myself to go to the Ladies room.
I admire the modern design and utilise the fragrant liquid soap and lotion, delaying as long as I can, and then slowly make my way back. Aware that my walk is giving away just how tipsy I am, I pause at every other glass display case, pretending to be fascinated by the sets of ancient keys and broken pottery discovered on an archaeological dig on this very site. Apparently the Price family who own this property began their life in Quebec as a Welsh logging company. Didn’t they do well?
I’m over at the top of the stairs now, gripping tight and preparing to lower myself back down to the bar, when I see the Staring Man coming up towards me. I feel instantly self-conscious, hotter than ever and utterly unable to move. He really does have the most penetrative stare.
As he draws level he leans close enough for me to feel his breath upon my neck and whispers, ‘See you at the Snow Bath!’
That voice! It’s him!
I turn around but he’s already out the
‘Have you two had your picture taken together yet?’
‘No,’ he says, coyly.
‘Allow me!’ I take his phone and start snapping away. ‘Come on, cuddle up nice and close. That’s adorable!’
‘By the way, Krista,’ Gilles interrupts. ‘I think we need to set aside some time tomorrow to go through the photos for the website.’
‘No rush,’ I chirp. ‘I won’t be posting until I’ve viewed the whole lot, so I can get a good balance of images. Unless you’re concerned you’re not getting the shots … ’
‘Oh no. The quality is there.’
‘Good to know. And the dog-sledding should be great. You did get my message about that, Annique?’
‘Yes, but I don’t know how you did it!’
‘Did what?’ Gilles looks confused.
‘Persuade the Wolfman to let us shoot at his home.’
‘Oooh, the Wolfman. I think you’ve just given me the concept for my new snow sculpture!’ Brandon enthuses. ‘Is he as sexy as he sounds?’
‘Well he does happen to have sixteen husky puppies … ’
‘Goodness,’ Brandon fans himself with a napkin and then playfully nudges his date. ‘You may have a little competition there, Gilles … !’
‘Oh! Here’s Simone and Yves!’ Annique beckons her friends over.
They begin asking me how I like it so far, where I’m staying …
I explain that I managed half a night at the Hôtel de Glace, I’m currently at the Hilton and on Wednesday I’m switching to—
‘Auberge Place D’Armes,’ Annique helps me out.
‘Oh that’s so cute!’ Simone raves. ‘And you have to try their dessert with the banana cognac flambée – c’est magnifique! ’
Before long everyone has slipped into speaking French, which actually suits me fine as I am now enjoying an all-consuming relationship with the fondue. I’m just about to propose to the crusty French bread when Annique elbows me.
‘Do you see the man staring at you from the bar?’
I peek up at the debonair gent with the sandy hair and Aaron Eckhart’s cleft chin and give a little snort. ‘Bless you Annique, but if he’s staring at anyone it’s you.’
‘No, no. I am not mistaken. I can tell the difference. Let’s invite him over.’
‘What? No!’ I flush.
‘You don’t want a little romance in Quebec?’
I catch Gilles’ eye.
‘I’ve already had my fill.’
‘Oh, you mustn’t let one sleazy encounter put you off.’
Gilles looks alarmed – she knows? Annique knows? I can see his mind whirring: is that what they were discussing earlier, so very intently? Is that why they disappeared?
‘It wasn’t just the sleaziness,’ I sigh, milking it. ‘It’s just the big lie, you know. But I’ll say something – the guy has a lot of nerve.’
And then Annique spoils everything by leaning in and telling the others that I met Malhomme.
‘Tell us! Tell us!’ They clamour for a re-enactment but I don’t have the energy to relive it all again so I excuse myself to go to the Ladies room.
I admire the modern design and utilise the fragrant liquid soap and lotion, delaying as long as I can, and then slowly make my way back. Aware that my walk is giving away just how tipsy I am, I pause at every other glass display case, pretending to be fascinated by the sets of ancient keys and broken pottery discovered on an archaeological dig on this very site. Apparently the Price family who own this property began their life in Quebec as a Welsh logging company. Didn’t they do well?
I’m over at the top of the stairs now, gripping tight and preparing to lower myself back down to the bar, when I see the Staring Man coming up towards me. I feel instantly self-conscious, hotter than ever and utterly unable to move. He really does have the most penetrative stare.
As he draws level he leans close enough for me to feel his breath upon my neck and whispers, ‘See you at the Snow Bath!’
That voice! It’s him!
I turn around but he’s already out the
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