Page 36 of The Only Way Is Up

She felt safe and warm and heavenly, but Tom resisted the urge to roam his hands all over her body, instead burying one hand in her hair and trailing the other down the curve of her neck. They kissed like teenagers for a long minute, Daisy’s hips pressed so hard against his that he wondered if his erection might ever subside. Finally, she pulled away, then rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her, wishing he could freeze this moment forever.

‘I need to go,’ she whispered. ‘Ruby will be wondering where I am.’

‘OK. Can I walk you home?’

Daisy straightened up and gave him a playful look. ‘Yes. But only if you promise not to make me kiss you again.’

Tom slowly zipped up her coat, which felt oddly sexy even if the zip was going in the wrong direction. ‘You drive a very hard bargain . . . but OK.’

PART THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY

‘How are you feeling?’ Daisy smiled at Melanie, who was sitting next to her in the back of the people carrier. In the second row, Ruby chattered away excitedly as tiny clusters of festive alpine cottages flew by against a backdrop of rolling foothills.

‘I’m a bit overwhelmed, if I’m honest,’ Melanie admitted shyly. ‘Your life is mad.’

Daisy laughed. ‘Which bit?’

‘All of it. The way people were asking for photos at the airport and on the plane, it must feel so weird.’

‘For me that’s pretty normal,’ Daisy shrugged. ‘It’s been like that since I was a teenager. You definitely get used to it. Well, mostly.’ She thought about the Vultures who’d driven her out of London. ‘Most people are lovely, so I don’t really mind.’

‘I still can’t believe I’m here,’ said Melanie. Daisy could hear the excitement in her voice, and felt her confidence growing that this was the right decision.

‘What’s Gerald planning to do while you’re away?’

‘Keep himself busy,’ said Melanie with a smile. ‘He got up at four this morning just to make me and Will a coffee.’ She glanced behind to check Will wasn’t listening, but he and Ruby were now wearing an AirPod each, listening to all the birthday messages her friends had sent her. ‘He’s been lovely for the past few days.’

Of course he has. Gerald had clearly realised what he might lose. Christian had been like that whenever she’d been annoyed with him, instantly turning on the charm like it was all just a game. An image of Tom came to mind, and how sweet he’d been when they’d finally said goodbye last night. Perhaps not all men were like that.

‘He gave me some money.’ Melanie reached into her handbag for an envelope. ‘To cover our food and drinks for the week. It’s five hundred Euros. I hope you’ll take it.’

Daisy hesitated for a second, meeting Melanie’s gaze. She could see how important this gesture was to her, and how disrespectful it would be to refuse. Melanie was asking to be treated like an equal, not a charity case.

‘Thank you,’ said Daisy, taking the envelope and sliding it into her bag. ‘It’s not necessary, but very much appreciated.’

Melanie nodded. ‘Talking of your fans in the airport, well done on not giving that guy a kick.’

‘Which one?’ asked Daisy.

‘The one who said he didn’t recognise you with your legs closed. I thought his wife was going to kill him.’

Daisy snorted with laughter. ‘They’ll dine out on that story all holiday. One of the things I love about Vergallen is that nobody has a clue who I am. We’ll just be two mums taking our teenagers on a Christmas holiday. I can’t wait.’

Melanie looked pleased, and Daisy felt gratified that she’d been able to say it and not feel disingenuous – after her initial reservations about going away with a woman she barely knew, she was now looking forward to it. There was something about Melanie that intrigued Daisy – every so often there was a glimmer of a twinkle in her eye that suggested hidden depths. Like she’d locked away all her joy years ago, and just needed a chance to let it all out.

It was pouring with rain by the time the taxi turned onto the narrow mountain road to Vergallen. Daisy could see Melanie taking deep breaths to stop feeling car sick, wiping her clammy hands on her too big, unfashionable jeans as the car swung round the hairpin bends at high speed. Fifteen minutes later their ears had popped and they were driving through a thick whirlwind of flakes in a snow-covered pine forest, like something from a Christmas card. As a cluster of fairy-lit chalets and the onion dome of Vergallen church came into view, they all craned their necks to watch the cable car disappearing through the trees and up the mountain like a chain of glass bubbles. Finally, they had arrived.

Daisy gasped as she climbed out of the taxi; she always forgot how cold ten degrees below zero felt, particularly in the thin air of the mountains. They were all still in their travelling clothes of jeans and trainers, and she couldn’t wait to get everyone kitted out with thermals and fur-lined boots.

‘Everyone grab a bag!’ she cried happily. ‘Let’s get inside in the warm.’

The chalet was just as she remembered it – a stone-tiled boot room that led into a huge open plan space with pine panelled walls, soft rugs, heavy red curtains and an enormous open fireplace that was already laid with logs and pinecones, waiting for someone to strike a match and fall into the horseshoe of squashy cream sofas, scattered with colourful blankets and cushions. On the far side of the room was a sleek modern kitchen with an oak dining table that seated twelve and a breakfast bar lined with wooden stools. Daisy walked over to peek in the fridge – it was already filled with the groceries she had ordered, and the wine was perfectly chilled. Des’s housekeeper had draped festive garlands on the banisters and over the fireplace, and a Christmas tree festooned with delicate glass ornaments and warm white lights twinkled in the corner of the room. It was perfect.

On the first floor were two en-suite bedrooms which she and Melanie were taking, and two further double bedrooms for Will and Ruby with a shared bathroom. All the beds were made up with fluffy duvets, huge pillows and soft white bedlinen, and after such an early start Daisy was tempted to keel sideways into the feathery nest and take a nap.

‘It’s so beautiful.’ Melanie’s eyes were on stalks as she looked at the dramatic vista of snow-capped mountains from her bedroom window. ‘It’s like something out of a movie. Does this place really belong to Des Parker?’