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‘That’s for sure. It’s so different here from my London life. I sometimes feel like a fish out of water, but I’m trying my best to get up to speed with everything.’
‘Well, apart from the London fashionfaux pas, I think you are settling in well.’
I blushed, thinking about that bloody nightdress debacle. What must I have looked like? ‘Xavier has clearly been impressed with your skills in the kitchen, and he is a hard taskmaster. You have also chosen some excellent wines this week.’
‘Really? I’m so pleased to hear that! It means a lot coming from such a wine pro.’
‘You clearly want to learn and have a good eye,’ he said.
‘I do, but there is so much I don’t know. I’m fascinated by your cellar and would love to understand the wines better. Margot speaks so highly of your knowledge and excellence.’
‘I’d be happy to teach you,’ Luca said with a smile, stubbing out his cigarette.
The music cranked up a notch and a saxophonist appeared at the end of the bar, playing along to the happy house pumping out from the speakers.
‘Passion for work is not easy to find. Xavier has it too.’
‘And what do you do for work?’ I asked, realising I had no idea. ‘What kind of job lets you spend half your life in Paris and the other half up a mountain?’
Luca gave a proud smile. ‘I invest in restaurants. Mainly in Paris but one or two elsewhere in France. It allows me to indulge my two great loves of food and wine.’
‘Oh yes, of course – you invested in Xavier’s restaurant, didn’t you?’
‘That one is slightly different; we are partners,’ Luca said.
‘Well, if you ever need a spare pair of hands in any of them, keep me in mind.’ I could happily eat away my days, julienning carrots and pouring wine, flitting from restaurant to restaurant.
Luca gave me a lazy smile and shook his head, pulling out another cigarette. ‘I wouldn’t give you to someone else,’ he said, sparking up again. ‘You work for me now.’ He gave me a smouldering look as a cloud of smoke puffed out of his nose. I held my breath to stop myself choking.
The commentator’s voice boomed over the microphone loud and clear. They were finally up to 540 and introducing Xavier to the crowd. I was glad of the distraction.
‘Xavier and Liv are up,’ I said, looking to the top of the mountain and seeing Xavier start to make his way down to the enormous jump. He carved left and right, going faster and faster until we could finally recognise him. He flew up the kicker, jumped, grabbed his board, spinning 720 degrees and miraculously landed on his feet. The crowd went wild, and I joined in with a cheer, while Luca enjoyed his cigarette.
‘I had no idea Xavier was so good,’ I said, clapping my hands in delight. ‘I’ve only ever seen him on the blue runs. He must be bored to death hanging out with me.’
‘I’m sure Xavier has his reasons for sticking to the blues,’ Luca said with a smile. ‘I noticed he’d been going out of his way to show you the ropes on the slopes as well as in the kitchen.’
‘Making sure I don’t fall off the edge,’ I said.
‘He clearly likes you,’ Luca replied with a wink.
‘Does he? I mean we are friends, of course!’ What was he implying?
‘Oui, oui, of course,’ Luca said, his brown eyes glinting, ‘justfriends.’
The cheering was still going as Xavier’s scores came in, with the sound of cowbells ringing all around the arena. He was close on Luca’s heels with an overall score of eighty-five, as Liv started hurtling down the mountain. She had no fear. I watched fascinated as she slid along the rail at the top of the jump and launched into the air, grabbing her board into a neat forward roll and landing easily. I stood up and screamed along with the rest of the crowd. Another amazing jump. Legend.
‘How cool was that?’ I whooped, as Luca gave an unimpressed shrug. I couldn’t believe I’d been out on the slopes with these two pros, and they’d been humouring me so kindly. I needed to get some lessons in so I could at least graduate onto the red runs. No wonder Liv always went on ahead – she was probably going off-piste to stretch her legs. Liv’s score came in at eighty and there were some boos from the crowd in reply. She pinged into eighth place on the leader board with Xavier third. I dropped them a pin and, when they were close enough, waved them over for a well-deserved drink.
‘Congratulations!’ I shouted, the vodka well and truly taking over. ‘You were both brilliant. I am so proud to be your friend and protégée.’ I pulled them in for a double hug. ‘And look who I found?’ I said, pointing at Luca, who high-fived Liv and shook Xavier’s hand. I was clearly the uncool one in the mix.
‘Quatre bières et quatre Poire Williams,’ Luca called to the barman.
‘I take it we aren’t working later?’ I whispered to Liv as we sat down. Slightly awkward question given the company, but better to check before I had my fifth drink.
‘Nah,’ she said, ‘no chance Genevieve is coming out today, is there Luca?’
‘You never know with her,’ he shrugged, ‘but let’s assume you have the night off.’
