Chapter 5 #2
Without Miles, I’ll enjoy the sanctuary of my cabin.
All those books. I don’t have to pander to him with his travel quirks.
There are certain types when it comes to travel: the meticulous planner, the nervous Nellie, the spontaneous explorer, the high-octane thrill-seeker, and so many more.
Miles fit into the nervous Nellie category.
So if you put the whole jilted bride thing to one side, this is the perfect scenario – travelling alone, enjoying all the five-star perks the Winter Wonderland Express has to offer without having to worry about anyone but myself.
A phone trills and Sabrina blushes. ‘Oops, don’t tell anyone you heard that.
’ She pulls a mobile from her gingerbread outfit.
‘I’m not allowed to carry this around but I’m waiting on confirmation that my boyfriend can join me in Lapland for Christmas.
I booked a few days off, but it won’t be quite as magical if he doesn’t make it there.
’ She flicks through her messages, her face giving away her disappointment.
‘Ah – he hasn’t had time to broach it but he’s going to ask his boss tonight. We haven’t seen each other for months!’
Long-distance love, ah, it’s such a hard road.
‘Is that him?’ I point to her screensaver picture of a twentysomething lad with one of those mushroom haircuts that always remind me of Lego figurines for some reason.
Why are they all the rage? Still, I’m not the demographic so I don’t quiz her about his choice of hairstyle.
‘Yes!’ she trills. ‘He’s so fit. But it’s not just his looks, he’s also got a sensitive side to him. Look at this pic.’ Sabrina shows me a picture of them on a beach under the shade of a palm tree.
‘He’s still in the Caribbean. We met when I did a stint over there but then I was offered this role and I couldn’t turn it down.
It’s almost impossible to get a job on the Winter Wonderland Express, and it can lead to so many other opportunities within the company.
But I miss the lovable goofball.’ She lets out a sigh.
‘Also, the long-distance won’t be forever.
I’m hoping I can get him a job here too so we’re not apart for too much longer.
While the workdays are long, the stops along the way are worth it, especially on this new Christmas themed route.
And guests are always fascinating and tip generously.
Oops, shouldn’t have said that! Scratch that from the record. ’
I laugh. ‘I bet you’ve got some tales to tell.’
Sabrina waggles her brow. ‘I’m going to write a book one day, Confessions of a Travel Insider . But don’t tell anyone or I’ll get blacklisted. I’m joking! Sort of. I mean, I’ll change their names and details. But aren’t travel escapades of the rich and famous oh so juicy?’
I sense Sabrina is only being so open because she feels sorry for me. A voice down the hallway calls for her. ‘Wait!’ I hold out a hand. ‘I need to know more about these juicy escapades!’
Sabrina creeps forward and drops her voice. ‘Well, between us, that’s Mrs Delacroix yelling out for me. She’s one of the wealthiest women in France and is well known for her scandalous affairs.’
‘Why are they scandalous?’
Sabrina picks up her gingerbread head and holds it under her arm.
‘Firstly, she’s married, and her travel companion is not Mr Delacroix.
The man she’s bunking with just so happens to be thirty years her junior.
Apparently, she’s in an open marriage and anything goes.
More power to her, I say! Lover boy is not bad either, if you’re into that whole Timothee Chalamet look. ’
My eyebrows shoot up. ‘That is juicy! So I take it she’s the person with more money than all the Kardashians combined.’
‘Nope.’ She laughs. ‘But don’t tell a soul. I really shouldn’t be speaking so freely, it’s just with you being in the industry, you’ve probably seen it all too.’
‘The few wealthy clients I’ve had requested NDAs so I can’t even tell you their names or where they’ve travelled to without risking a lawsuit. I’ve had a few celebrity doozies over the years, some sweet, some utterly dreadful with their demands. All part of the job.’
Her face falls. ‘And you can’t tell me who, not even a hint?’
I laugh at her expression, but so far Sabrina hasn’t exactly been tight-lipped and I take my job seriously in that respect, even though their names would blow her hair back.
‘Not even one! Truthfully, those kinds of clients are few and far between. I mostly deal with…’ A lump forms in my throat.
God, when will my body stop betraying me?
‘…honeymooners.’ And just how will I cope with that once I get back to work after Christmas?
Maybe I can pivot to post-divorce holidays? Is there a market for that?
‘I’ll get some gossip out of you eventually.’ She flashes a grin. ‘Why don’t you go and join the Christmas activities? Have some festive fun. If all else fails, drink your body weight in gingerbread martinis. I’ll have your cabin sorted when you get back.’