Chapter Nineteen

‘Welcome back,’ Carlotta said, opening the door as the gate slid shut behind them.

‘Ah, home sweet home,’ Johnny sighed, his brown hair speckled white as snowflakes landed and settled on their heads. It was the first time they had seen snow right down in the town, and from the train they had been able to see all the pistes were now thickly covered. The resort was due to fully open from next weekend; the tourists would start arriving and the town would fill up, getting ready for Christmas.

‘Ha, home? You wish!’ Matty muttered, snaking past him through the front door as he stooped to pick up his bags. She stomped her snowy boots on the mat. ‘Hi Carlotta, it’s great to be back.’

‘Your trip was successful?’

‘It was . . . very busy. And varied, and interesting.’

‘Your injuries look much better,’ the housekeeper said, looking at Clover’s cheek and eye.

‘Thank you. The sun really helped.’ The bruise was all but gone now; only in the brightest light could it be seen. ‘I take it the others are back?’ As on the way out, they had flown back. Clover, Matty and Johnny’s journey had been more arduous – although arguably more scenic – by train.

‘Yes. Kit and Ari arrived back this morning, although they are out at present.’

Not again? Clover resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It was like playing cat and mouse, chasing them across borders, staking out their own house. Wait . . . ‘What about Beau?’

‘He has stayed in Saas-Fee for a few more days. I believe heavy snow is forecast and he wanted to be there for it.’

‘Oh.’ Clover’s gaze skated over to the others. Was this another thin crack opening up between the brothers? Beau beginning, finally, to reach for his freedom, his own future?

‘You must be tired. We have drinks and canapes prepared for when you are ready,’ Carlotta said, closing the door behind them and shutting out the cold.

‘Yesss. I love this place,’ Johnny murmured, smiling at her gratefully on his way to his room.

‘Look, flowers!’ Matty sang as Clover pushed her way into their room. She was already lying on the bed – beside a bouquet of red roses – and reading the accompanying card.

‘Let me guess. Julian,’ Clover said, dropping her bag on the bed and looking around with a sigh. These four walls again? Johnny might be glad to be back in staffed luxury, Matty happy to be back in Julian’s orbit, but already Clover missed the freedom of the past few days, being able to fully relax and be herself once more, away from the slit-eyed scrutiny of Kit Foley. It felt like a backwards step returning here – to the scene of their crime.