It was supposed to be the most romantic weekend of their life together.
Richard had been planning this for weeks now and it was costing him a fortune, but it would all be worth it. That was, of course, until Sarah told him that she had been having an affair with her boss for the last three months now and that their relationship was over.
He had planned it out to the finest detail. They would fly out from London on the Friday afternoon, Friday the 13th he noted in retrospect, and would arrive at the ski chalet later that day. An evening of decedent relaxation would ensue followed by a very special Valentine's Day of skiing among the stunning Swiss Alps. After a very romantic lunch of chilled lobster and champagne Richard was going to propose to Sarah, his girlfriend of the last three years and as he thought, the love of his life.
Richard had paid the deposit on the ring; an enormous square cut diamond on a platinum band and was due to collect it on the Monday prior to their trip.
However, on Sunday afternoon, after a game of squash with his best friend Daniel Richard noticed a message had been left on his cell phone. On a high after such a good workout he pressed the message retrieval button and listened as his world fell apart.
"Richard it is Sarah," began the message. "I am afraid it is over! I have been having a relationship with Ben at work for some time now and we now realize we are in love. I'm sure you realized something was wrong and hope you won't be too upset. Please do not try to get in touch, as we will be out of the country for the next ten days. I'm sorry Richard, but it is for the best."
He couldn't believe it. This was the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Sarah was his soul mate. She would be the mother of his children. She was his life.
He was devastated. He honestly had seen no signs. He now knew what it felt like for someone to reach into his stomach and rip his guts out.
Monday was a dead loss. Richard took the day off work and at ten to five he finally realized he was due to collect Sarah's engagement ring from the jewelers. He rang the shop and explained that there had been a slight change of plan and that he would not be requiring the ring after all. The salesman, in as patronizing way as possible, explained that this was in fact a regular occurrence and that the store would "kindly" only retain 15 percent of the deposit already paid. Which was, on a diamond that size, a huge sum of money.
He was about to call the travel agency to cancel the weekend in Switzerland when he realized 5 O'clock had been and gone and he would have to call in the morning.
Tuesday came and Richard dragged himself out of bed, tried to mask his depression and went off to work. During his lunch-break he realized he had not yet cancelled the holiday. He picked up the telephone and dialed. As he listened to the ringing tone for what seemed like the fifteenth time it hit him. Fuck it! he thought. Why should I lose out on this holiday just because that bitch has been screwing her boss. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky on the flight out there and pull one of the air stewardesses.
Friday arrived and Richard checked in at Gatwick airport with enough time to take full advantage of the excellent first class lounge facilities and to drink himself into a pleasant state of numbness. He lurched onto the plane and collapsed into his seat, all too aware of the empty seat next to him.
Richard's fantasy about picking up one of the cabin crew was short lived however, when he noticed his options were limited to a woman in her early fifties with enough makeup on to make a circus clown blush, a younger lady with a peculiar orange skin tone and a mincing little fruit who would brush against Richard's arm on any of the numerous occasions he waltzed by.
Balls to this! Richard thought as he toasted himself with another large scotch. At least I'll get some good skiing in and will get totally and utterly wasted for the entire weekend.
At Zurich airport Richard staggered out of the terminal building and fell into a cab. After a forty-minute journey, which felt like his driver was trying to qualify for the world rally championship, Richard was dumped outside his chalet. He looked up and saw that it was truly spectacular.
The chalet was situated part way up the mountainside overlooking the lake in the valley below. It was a stunning mix of pine and glass offering spectacular views of the scenery.
He crunched his way through the crisp white snow up to the door. He had already been told where to find the key. The company who let these chalets prided themselves on offering all possible luxuries, but staying a discreet distance away from their guests. No doubt to allow the rich and famous to conduct their illicit affairs in private, Richard cynically thought.
If the outside of the chalet was impressive it was nothing compared to the inside. Luxury was not the word. There was an enormous log fire burning away, set-up by the invisible staff. The windows overlooking the valley and frozen lake below were floor to ceiling high and would slide apart with barely a whisper at the touch of a button.
The Swiss have come a long way since the cuckoo clock, he mused. There was a large, open plan kitchen. A delicate combination of untreated pine, black granite and brushed steel.
The enormous refrigerator contained everything a couple could want for the perfect Romantic weekend. Smoked salmon, caviar, strawberries, chocolate mouse and so on. There was, of course an almost unlimited supply of champagne. This really would be the perfect place to propose marriage. Richard thought and allowed himself a bitter grin.
Richard grabbed the Stilton and some grapes from the kitchen and found a bottle of vintage port in the lounge area and flopped into the plush couch in front of the fire. No sooner had he done so when the phone began to ring. Even the fucking phone purrs here rather than rings. He thought and picked it up.
"Good evening Mr. Simmonds." Began a female voice, in perfect, but very slightly Swiss/German accented English. " I trust you and your partner had a pleasant journey?" Before he could answer the voice went on. " I was just calling to confirm that your ski guide will be there to meet you at 9:00am tomorrow morning. Richard had entirely forgotten that he had, at great expense, hired a guide to take him and Sarah off-piste the following day. He was to be taken to an area of unparalleled beauty were the guide would discretely disappear and he would go down on bended knee and request Sarah's hand in marriage.
"I'm afraid there has been something of a change of plan" Richard began "and we...I will not be requiring the guide after all".
"Oh dear" replied the voice. "I am sorry to hear that. You do, of course, realize that at this late stage no refund can be made on this booking?"
Great! thought Richard another huge waste of fucking money.
"Ok!" he said. "Send him along". I'll give Lars or Klaus or whatever member of the Arian master race you send along a run for their money on the slopes. A bit of aggressive competition might be just what I need, he thought.
"Thank you sir, have a very special evening." The receiver clicked dead.
Shortly afterwards Richard slid beneath the most exquisite brushed cotton sheets he had ever felt and fell asleep, exhausted.
At 7:30 the following morning Richard was awoken by the alarm on his Rolex, a present from Sarah, he would not be returning. With a heavy head he stumbled into the enormous shower and blasted himself with piping hot water. After 20 minutes or so Richard was beginning to feel almost human again and was looking forward to a workout on the slopes. He shaved, dressed and made himself a breakfast of toasted bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon washed down with a huge espresso.
At 9:00am precisely the chalet doorbell chimed. You can't beat Swiss precision he thought, double-checking the time on his Rolex.
He opened the door and was immediately taken aback not to see a 6' 5 blonde, body builder, but standing there, before him, was an absolutely stunning girl. She must have been about 22 years old, had neat, blonde hair, streaked with highlights and tied back in a ponytail. She was about 5'7 to Richard's 6' with, what looked like the perfect little body beneath her ski clothes. She was wearing black ski pants with a big traditional, Norwegian style pullover and a heavy scarf. Her eyes were of a deep almost emerald, green. Her lips were full and were coated in a pink, gloss. She gave Richard a big, sincere smile and his heart skipped a beat. She displayed the most perfect set of white teeth and then she spoke.
"Good morning! You must be Mr. Simmonds. My name is Cassie and I will be your guide today."
As if the shock of seeing this beautiful young lady in front of him wasn't enough Richard was amazed to hear that she spoke with an American accent.
"Good morning" Richard said. "Forgive me, but I was not expecting someone quite like you to be my guide."
"Oh really?" Cassie said.
Worried that he had offended her, Richard quickly added "An American lady I mean, out here in Switzerland."
Cassie laughed, once again displaying her incredible smile. "I'm traveling the world" she said "and am earning a bit of money before the next stage of my journey. I can assure you I am a fully qualified ski guide however."
"I am sure you are," exclaimed Richard "Forgive me if I gave the impression I thought otherwise."
"You Brits are so cute," she said and spun away from him giggling.
Cassie walked towards her land rover while Richard grabbed his skis, closed the chalet door and ran to catch up with her.
" Is Mrs. Simmonds not joining us this morning?" Cassie asked.
"Ah!" he replied, "Slight change of plan there I am afraid. She was not actually Mrs. Simmonds, she is fucking her boss and now, she never will be Mrs. Simmonds."
"Oh dear! I am sorry" Cassie exclaimed awkwardly.
"Don't be. Things are starting to look up already. He said looking deep into her eyes. She held his gaze for a moment smiled and quickly turned and moved towards the car.
For her part Cassie couldn't help feeling a flutter in her stomach when Richard announced he was single. She hadn't been with a real man for some time now and she liked what she saw. She guessed Richard was about 30 years old. He had neat-cropped, dark brown hair with the tiniest hint of graying at his temples, chestnut brown eyes, good strong features and what looked like a well honed body.
"Throw your things in the back," she called. "It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day".
"It really does look beautiful," muttered Richard as he watched her climb into the land rover.
As they drove along Cassie said, "I really am sorry about your girlfriend Mr. Simmonds and on Valentines day as well."
"Thank you", he replied. "Better to find out now I suppose. Anyway here I am on a beautiful day in a beautiful country with a beau...very nice guide to take me skiing and for God's sake call me Richard."
Richard could see a flush come to Cassie's cheeks and he smiled, but was taken aback himself when her hand moved off the steering wheel and lightly squeezed his leg and she said "You are welcome Richard".
After about an hour of driving up the windy mountainside roads and some friendly conversation where Richard told of his break up with Sarah and Cassie told of her travels in Asia and her future travel plans, before medical school finally beckoned, they arrived at a remarkably quiet parking spot.
"Here we are," exclaimed Cassie unpacking the equipment. "I was told I was to accompany a pair of advanced skiers and I was to program a route away from the busier spots. I hope this is still ok?"
"Fantastic!" said Richard quite relishing the idea of the next hours in the company of this beautiful, intelligent young lady.
