So Emme spent months scrolling websites for international jobs, and kept landing on Nomad Nannies, an agency that paired young British women with British families around the world. Emme had interviews with the agency, and candid chats with Dominique, who was the only person Emme confided the real reason for wanting to get out of the country. Dominique said she’d support Emme and would give her a reference, keep her job open, but for six months max.
Emme understood.
‘Six months is all I need Dominique. Promise.’
The snowboarder noticed the ambivalence on Emme’s face.
‘Don’t look so worried about it! There isn’t anywhere more beautiful to get snowed in.’ She winked.
Emme smiled unconvincingly.
‘And I should know because I am from thesecondmost beautiful place on earth.’
‘Where’s that?’ Emme asked, looking down the carriage to check her suitcase was still teetering on the luggage rack. Of course it was, she was in Switzerland. Surely no one would steal luggage.
She looked back at the woman with the gypsy curls; glad to shift the focus.
‘Patagonia, southern Argentina. The scenery is not so different to this,’ she said, nodding out the window.
That’s not what Emme had expected, at all.
‘Really?’
‘Yes. I live on the edge of a glacier: beautiful blues and whites everywhere. Kristalldorf is much more accessible– even if it doesn’t seem it to you.’
Emme gazed out of the window as the train started snaking up the mountain.
‘I’m Catalina, Cat,’ she said, thrusting a hand forward.
Emme was taken aback, but took off her mitten and returned her hand. ‘Emmeline, but people call me Emme.’
‘Emme.Mucho gusto,’ Cat said, shaking her hand effusively. ‘First time in Kristalldorf I guess?’
‘Yes, I’m starting a new job.’
Cat’s eyes widened, as if to saytell me more.
‘I’m nannying. For an English family who live there.’
It was Cat’s turn to look surprised.
‘Interesting, I know everyone in Kristalldorf. Who?’
Emme lowered her voice.
‘The Harringtons.’
Cat widened her eyes, ringed with kohl and mischief, and said, ‘Ooooh, right…’
Emme looked nervous at this response.
‘What?’
Cat waved her hand.
‘Nothing…’ Her smile didn’t wane.
Shit.
