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“Dunno. She did seem suspiciously blasé, but I can’t see how she could have known who we were. It doesn’t matter though, we certainly didn’t get any special treatment, did we!”
In comparison to La Residence, our apartment in Les Suites de Bellevue feels massive. We both sigh with relief when we spot that the bathroom is properly self-contained. The main room contains the sitting area, a small dining table and a kitchenette, with doors off to the bedroom and bathroom. The sofa converts into a bed and Toby gallantly offers to sleep on it to give me back a bit of privacy, but it doesn’t look terribly comfortable when we pull it out, so in the end we agree to continue sharing the bed. I’m so relieved not to have to shower in front of him anymore that sleeping next to him doesn’t feel like a problem at all. He’s a tidy sleeper, he doesn’t steal the duvet or encroach onto my side of the bed, and he only snores occasionally and very lightly, so it’s no hardship to share a bed with him.
The next day is our last full day. Toby is determined to see if he can master parallel turns in the ski school, and I spend some time checking the map against my notes before catching the ski lift, to make sure that I’ve covered a good cross-section of the available runs. In the afternoon I persuade him to tackle a blue run with me, which he professes to enjoy, even though his speed on skis hasn’t improved much, so it takes an age to complete it. I’ve made a start on the write-up, and Toby and I have agreed which pictures he’ll submit to go with the finished article. He’s also provided me with all his impressions on an email, which I’m planning to include in a ‘he thought….she thought’ format. I’m confident that Mark will like the article when I submit it to him. Overall, apart from the bathroom issue, I think the trip has been a great success.
As we’ve covered all the bars and restaurants that were requested in the famil packs, we decide to head back to our favourites for the final evening.
“So, how has this trip been for you?” I ask Toby, once we’re settled at a table with our drinks.
He takes his time considering my question, but I’m used to this now, so don’t feel so impatient as I wait for him to respond.
“It’s been interesting. I’ve enjoyed it,” he states, eventually.
“Would you be happy to do it again? I don’t know what Mark has in store, but I think the trip to the Bellavista is definitely on the cards.”
“Yes. I couldn’t do it too often, as it would interfere with my proper work, but as an occasional thing it would be fine. What about you?”
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t had my reservations before the trip, especially as I’m used to doing this on my own, but you’re surprisingly easy to get along with, Toby Roberts. I reckon I could put up with you again.”
“Oh, stop,” he replies, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “The begging is just embarrassing!”
On the long transfer back to Geneva for our flight home the next day, I exchange a few messages with Charley. It seems things with Amelia are starting to settle down, although she still screams a lot, and she sends me a couple of pictures of her. To my untrained eye she doesn’t look particularly beautiful. She’s got that slightly myopic, bewildered look that all newborn babies seem to have and, try as I might, I can’t see any particular resemblance to either Charley or Ed in her facial features. Nevertheless, I make all the right cooing noises, and we agree that I’ll pop in to meet her the following day. I notice that Toby seems tense and is checking his phone every couple of minutes.
“What’s up?” I ask him.
“What do you mean?”
“You keep checking your phone. Is anything wrong?”
“No, it’s completion day on the studio. I’m waiting for the email from the solicitor to say that it’s all gone through and I can collect the keys tomorrow. I’ve spent so long saving up for this, I can’t quite believe it’s really happening.”
Just then his phone pings and he can’t unlock it fast enough. After reading the message he turns to me and gives a little fist-pump.
“It’s gone through then?”
“Yup. I’ll collect the keys in the morning. There’s so much to do now. Although it’s currently a photo studio, the guy that owned it just filled it with crap stuff. I’ve ordered a skip to chuck it all into, and I will have to redecorate before I start installing the equipment I’ve bought. I also want to put in a dressing room and redo the kitchen, so it’s going to keep me busy. I’ve got loads of spreadsheets with plans and costings on, and I’m really excited about bringing them to life.”
“How long do you think it’ll be before you’re up and running?”
“I’ve given myself two weeks for the studio. I need that to be operational as soon as possible, as I’m basically losing money until it is. I’ve got shoots booked in, and a grand opening as well, so that should keep me focused.”
“Can I see it?”
“Sure. I’ll pick up the keys first thing, and I’ve hired a van to move my stuff from the house into the flat. I should be all finished by late afternoon. Why don’t you drop in around six o’clock? I might even manage some champagne, although we’ll probably be drinking it out of mugs.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Let me bring the champagne though. I’ll come by after I’ve seen Charley and the baby.”
Toby’s car is parked in the same area of the car park as mine, so we don’t say our farewells until the bus has dropped us. I throw my case in the boot and set off towards home, stopping at the supermarket for bare essentials on the way. I’m always pleased to get back to my little flat after a trip, and this time is no different. I unpack the shopping and my suitcase, and stick a load of washing on, before pouring myself a ‘welcome home’ glass of wine. I have a rule that I don’t work on the first night back from a trip, so I make myself a salad and settle down in front of the TV. Looking at the schedule, my eye is drawn to a programme where a wealthy family and poor family swap holidays, so I watch that while I eat and drink. It’s not long before the travel catches up with me and I sink gratefully into my bed. At first it feels odd without Toby next to me, but the feeling soon passes as I drift off to sleep. My final thought is that I’m looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow. I’ve enjoyed his company much more than I was expecting to.
