Chapter 6
Chapter six
Two drivers met them with signs, one reading ‘Fisk’, the other, ‘Cafferty’.
"How are we doing this?" Billy asked.
"We can go in the Cafferty car, and you and Mum can go in Fisk," Imogen said before Rosa had time to think.
"Uh, that's not going to happen," Rosa finally said. "I'm not letting three teenagers get into a car with a man I've never met before."
Imogen looked annoyed.
"Your mum's right," Billy said, backing Rosa up. She turned to Rosa. "One of us can go with them, or I can take—"
"I'll go with them. We'll see you at the house." Rosa was already moving towards the taxi driver, suitcase in tow. "Come along, girls."
"She's so bossy," Imogen mumbled.
Billy caught it. "Hey, she's your mum and she cares about you—all of you. So just remember that, okay?"
"God, now you, too," Imogen whined before following Rosa.
"Yeah, me as well," Billy called after her. "Because I'm your mum too." She watched as Imogen turned back and frowned at her. "And don't forget that," she said quietly before heading towards the guy still holding one of the signs.
The drive lasted another two hours, and it had started snowing—two hours where the girls chattered the entire way about what they would do first and how good at skiing they all were. Rosa and the driver stayed silent.
Imogen’s grandparents, Meredith and Schultz, lived in a picturesque house in Gerlos, on the Tyrolean Alps, in an oversized chalet with a hot tub and sauna and views for miles. Rosa had only ever seen pictures of it from when Billy had taken Immy over to see them.
As they drove the winding road, snow a foot deep either side of the tarmac, Rosa could understand the beauty of it and why they'd made the decision to retire here and not stay in the UK.
She might have chosen it too if it had been an option. She sighed and continued to watch the snow fall as they drove.
They were ten, maybe fifteen, minutes out when the taxi turned off the road and stopped outside a smaller chalet—not the one from the photos.
Meredith was standing out front, all bundled up in winter jacket and hat. She waved as the car slowed. Rosa got out and the girls followed.
"Meredith, this isn’t…"
"Oh, Rosa, it's so good to see you." Meredith pulled her in for a hug and waved with her fingers at the teenagers.
"Now, I hoped you wouldn't mind, but…we've only got two spare rooms at the house and with the girls staying…
I spoke to my neighbours, and they said you'd be welcome to stay here in their cabin.
They only use it as a holiday home. It's practically brand new.
" She gripped Rosa by the elbow. "Come on, I'll show you. "
"I don't understand. I thought we were all staying together."
"That was the plan, but then Imogen said about bringing her friends, and well, honestly, you'll love it here and you'll get some peace and quiet."
She opened the door and led Rosa inside.
Rosa looked around the room. "Wow, it's…"
"Isn't it just spectacular?" Meredith said, pressing a button and opening the blinds. "Now, the fridge is stocked, the cupboards have the essentials, and there is a small buggy out the back that you can use to come and go."
And before Rosa could say another word, Meredith was gone. So were the girls and the taxi. "Oh, my suitcase?" She opened the door and there it was on the small deck.
“Great…see you all later then,” she grumbled, pulling her belongings inside to consider things.
Was it that bad? Really? A week in this luxury cabin all by herself.
She had a vehicle of sorts to go up to the house, if and when she wanted to.
There would be the party, and most likely excursions she'd be invited along to, but ultimately, she had a holiday all to herself if she wanted it, and wasn’t she always complaining about getting a break?
A few minutes later she had her head around it, wheeling her case into the bedroom that would overlook the view.
When she heard another car pull up she was a little worried, until the door opened and Billy walked in.
"What are you doing here?" Rosa asked.
Billy looked confused. "I'm staying here so the girls could have my room and Mum wouldn't be overcrowded. Why are you here?"
"Because your mum couldn't fit us all in at her place."
Billy frowned as she pulled her phone from her pocket. "Damn, no signal."
"Well, you could take the golf cart and go to the house. I'm sure your case will fit on it, or you can get someone to come and pick it up." Rosa folded her arms across her chest. "Because you and I are not sharing."
"No, that would be…disastrous," Billy mocked. "Imagine having to do that." She grinned at her own humour. "Is it really the end of the world? I mean, neither of us really wants to be subjected to overexcited teenagers and my fussing parents, do we?"
Rosa grimaced. "No, but…"
"We don't have to entertain each other. It's just a place to sleep and change clothes."
"I guess…" Rosa chewed her thumbnail.
"And there are two rooms," Billy noted, pointing towards the two open doors and the beds in each. "And if it is all too much, then I'll speak to my mother and one of us can move into the main house."
Rosa sighed. "Fine."