Chapter 31
We arrive at the lodge for check-in. It’s the grandest hotel I’ve ever seen, with a sweeping view of snow-capped mountains in the distance.
It’s like a log cabin but on steroids. The interior is sumptuously decorated but still has a certain rustic charm to it, with a crackling fire in the centre surrounded by wrinkled leather sofas layered with tartan throw rugs and fluffy cushions.
We queue at the counter and wait our turn. From the striking full-length picture window, the igloos are visible, spread along the snow-covered expanse. I cannot wait to investigate them further.
‘I feel like a kid at Christmas!’ Princess screeches.
As soon as the front desk staff recognise Princess, she’s moved to the front of the queue.
‘Don’t mind me,’ she says to the people in front who send her dark looks.
‘I’m an old lady who needs to put her feet up.
’ I love that she doesn’t blurt out that she also owns the lodge.
She hasn’t explicitly admitted it, but I get the feeling from the way the staff behave around her, fluttery and nervous, that she does.
Princess is given her key and doesn’t worry about anything so boring as paperwork like the rest of us will need to do.
The check-in staff hurry to assure Princess that her igloo has been stocked with champagne.
‘Wonderful. Meet you for Christmas Eve dinner, darlings.’ She air-kisses us and briskly walks away before she stops short. ‘Barry? Are you coming or not?’
Barry’s eyes go wide, before he mutters, ‘Oh, right, yes, yes. Can I take your suitcase for you, Princess, so you don’t need to wait for the porter?’
‘That would be lovely, Barry.’
When I get my key, I’m delighted to find my igloo is right beside Jasper’s. ‘I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,’ I tease, leaving my suitcase against the door.
‘You move fast, Aubrey, but I’m keen if you are.’ I laugh and grab his hand as we make our way into the warmth.
Inside, the igloo is surprisingly cosy. The domed thermal glass itself is heated, not only to warm the room but also to keep the view clear and free of snow in the freezing temperatures.
A fire crackles in the hearth and I swear there’s underfloor heating as warmth creeps up my body. ‘Oh my God, how will we ever leave?’
The king-size bed sits in the centre of the room and will be the cosiest place to curl up when darkness falls and watch the spectacular display of the Northern Lights across the night sky.
The room is well appointed with a bookshelf of paperbacks, a mini bar, and a plush sofa and armchairs.
There’s a large en suite – imagine showering with that view, although to maintain privacy, the sides of the wall are blacked out so no one can see in.
‘We don’t leave. We lock the door on the world and we stay here forever.’ Jasper takes me into his arms, and it just feels so right. Like I’ve found my place, and how can I be so sure, so soon? But somehow I am. They do say when you know, you know.
‘Yes, please,’ I say with a nod. ‘Maybe they’ll forget we’re here.’
‘I hope so.’
My breathing quickens as Jasper cups my face and leans down to kiss me. Sparks fly, igniting my heart. My own Northern Lights, as I light up from the inside at his touch. When we pull apart, I’m love drunk, giddy and hazy with it. ‘Should we check out the hot tub?’ I ask with a mischievous grin.
‘You got the hot tub room!’
‘I did!’
‘What are we standing here for?’ Within seconds he’s slipped off his jacket and jumper, his t-shirt pulls up to expose tanned, rippled abs, and oh my, I’m going to die of lust. I double-blink and try to regain my equilibrium.
Play it cool, Aubrey. Don’t act like some sex-starved fool , but it’s too late.
My mouth is agape and I’m probably doing that under-breath life-narration thing because it bloody well can’t be helped.
The man is a sex god, no two ways about it.
‘Aubrey?’
He frowns.
‘Aubrey?’
I snap back to the here and now. ‘Yes?’
‘Sorry, is the hot tub thing too soon? I can wear my t-shirt…’
My gaze drops to his torso, which is now unclothed.
He stands in a pair of denim jeans that hug him in all the right places.
How can a body be so earth shattering, knocking all sense from my brain?
Still, it’s best to downplay the effect he’s having on me.
‘No, you don’t need to wear a T-shirt. I’ll change into my bathing suit and meet you in the hot tub. ’
* * *
After I’m changed, I check my reflection in the mirror and give myself a pep talk. He’s just Jasper; hot, yes, but intelligent too.
The situation calls for alcohol, no two ways about it. In the mini bar fridge, I find a bottle of champagne with a note:
For the lovebirds, from Princess. It’s not just a name, it’s a way of life.
I smile. God, I love her.
I join Jasper, who’s in the tub, arms outstretched, gazing out towards the snowcapped mountains. He gives me a slow once over, his lips curving as if he likes what he sees but is too polite to say. Well, that’s a good thing.
‘Bubbles, from Princess.’
He takes the champagne flutes from my hand while I open the bottle. Once our glasses are poured, I sit beside him, nestling into him, trying my darndest not to think of what he’s wearing on the bottom half.
‘How lucky are we,’ he says, ‘to be here experiencing this?’
‘It’s incredible. I’m going to have the holiday blues after, that’s for sure. What can ever live up to this?’ And I don’t mean just the stunning vista before me.
‘Does it need to end? That’s the question.’
‘Ah?’
‘This might sound massively cheesy, but when I first spotted you on the platform, I felt an instant spark, like love at first sight.’ He blushes and covers it by taking a deep sip of champagne.
Love at first sight! But hadn’t I felt the very same about Jasper that day on the platform? Shocked back to life? ‘Really?’
‘Really.’ He lets out a self-conscious laugh.
‘I’ve always wanted to find someone who shares the same interests as me, someone who wants to explore the world.
Sure, I like my cosy little cabin in Connecticut, but it’s just a base.
What I’m trying to say, Aubrey, is that I don’t want this holiday to end, inasmuch as I don’t want to let you go.
At the risk of coming across like a stage-four clinger, do you want to keep the holiday going? ’
‘By holiday, you mean us?’
‘I do.’
I bite down on a goofy grin. ‘Well, I’ve been thinking.
’ I look up at him, my heart stuttering at the sight of him.
‘After Lapland, I was considering renting a campervan for my next adventure.’ Van life is a popular cost-effective way to travel and I’m keen to give it a try and see if I enjoy living out of a tiny home on wheels.
I’m used to travelling light anyway, so it’s no real hardship, but living out of a van gives me a lot more freedom when it comes to exploring.
‘I love that idea.’
‘Yeah? That’s good because I had this crazy thought…’
‘I’m listening.’
‘Would you like to be my travel buddy? I’m sure I can find a van big enough for the two of us.’
‘I’d love to be your travel buddy. I’ll head home to Connecticut so I can pack what I need for our road trip and the Camino…’
‘I’ll go back to the village and do the same. Spend some time with Freya and the baby, who will arrive earthside any day… and then meet you in Paris?’
‘Under the Eiffel Tower.’
‘At night, when it’s sparkling.’
‘I can’t wait for all the adventures we’re going to have together, Aubrey.’
He kisses me deep and full on the mouth. The view of the mountain blurs, and all I can see is him and our exciting future of travels together.