Epilogue
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
We got to Courmayeur at four and checked into the hotel.
This was a charming stone construction, only a few steps from the main piazza.
After depositing our things in our room and separating Oscar from the bone he had been assiduously gnawing all the way up the valley, we went out for a walk.
The air temperature in the shade was close to zero, but the sun was shining brightly and people were strolling about or sitting outside cafés, enjoying the end of what had been a beautiful winter day.
Virginia and Guy were expected around six, so we found a free table outside a busy café, sat down and relaxed.
In the middle of the piazza was a fine Christmas tree, hung with baubles and lights, and behind it was a spectacular backdrop of snow-covered mountains, bathed with pink as sunset began to approach.
There was a happy hum of conversation all around, punctuated by the heavy clomp-clomp of people in ski boots returning from the slopes.
It would have been a perfect Alpine holiday scene except for one thing.
At the far side of the square were two police vehicles, an area had been taped off, and an officer was standing guard. What, I wondered, was going on there?
When the waitress came to take our order, I had no hesitation in asking for a cold beer – no more grappa for me for a while – and Anna chose a glass of Prosecco. I queried what was happening across the square, and the young woman explained, her tone hushed and awed.
‘They found a dead body over there this morning. The police say a man’s been murdered. Can you imagine that? Fancy somebody being murdered at Christmas!’
Anna and I exchanged glances, and I replied, ‘Murder can happen any time. Who was the victim?’
Before the waitress could answer, I felt Anna grip my forearm. ‘Murder is no business of ours, Dan. We’re here on holiday, right?’
There was a movement at my feet and I looked down to see Oscar roll his eyes at me. I got the message. Seeing that he and Anna appeared to be in agreement, I accepted the inevitable. Mustering a broad smile, I glanced back at the waitress.
‘My wife’s quite right, we’re on holiday, it’s no business of mine. Let’s hope we all have a happy, peaceful Christmas.’
After the waitress had gone off, Anna gave me a little smile and wagged her finger at me. ‘No murders, no investigations, no work – doctor’s orders. You need a holiday, and I need to know that I’ve got you all to myself.’
There was a movement at my feet and Oscar’s head popped up between us, a look of concern on his face. Anna leant down and gave him an affectionate pat. ‘And you, Oscar, of course. Where Dan goes, you go, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.’
Oscar’s expression changed to one of satisfaction, and he reached up to nuzzle her cheek with his nose. Anna and I might think we were a couple, but he knew we were a trio.
And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
* * *