‘Er… I…’ Mina gave Luke a panicked look, flushing bright red before turning to face Bernhardt, hoping that he hadn’t just seen what had happened. A second later and they’d have been kissing. Luckily he seemed to be more interested in the decorative display behind her of dried orange slices and little hessian sacks of dark cocoa nibs.
‘Mm, these are good,’ said Uta, trying one of the orange-flavoured chocolates and making room for Kristian to step forward and try one.
Mina nodded, trying to appear normal, while her system still pumped with adrenaline and excitement, her pulse rocketing along like a runaway train. It felt as if her hormones were in revolt, so close and yet so far, sending a hot flash through her as if to say, how could you do this to us?
Luke shot her a quick, rueful smile as the others fell into to step with them, and she wondered if he was suffering from the same sort of hormonal fallout. The others began talking about which they thought was the best chocolate and Mina tried to join in, biting back keen disappointment. What might have happened if the others hadn’t joined them at that moment? She shot a sidelong glance at Luke, now engaged in conversation with Uta, and sighed softly to herself.
Kristian and Bernhardt began a lively debate as to whether milk or dark chocolate was better, which continued on into the obligatory end-of-tour shop, which rang with as much excitable noise and chatter as the monkey enclosure at a zoo. Children darted this way and that, tugging on their parents’ hands like small explorers making huge new discoveries with each new shelf of goodies.
There was a coach tour of Japanese people ahead of them, who were buying chocolate like it was going out of style, with huge smiles on their faces, and they weren’t alone: everyone seemed to have shopping baskets piled high. It was like a horde of locusts whipping through, as if this was the last chocolate on the planet, but the thing that struck Mina was that everyone was smiling. Despite the niggly sense of frustration at wanting to be with Luke on her own, she couldn’t help smiling too. It was the simplest equation. Chocolate = happiness. The whole shop was filled with joy. Even now she was thinking about the people in her life that she wanted to buy chocolate for, because she cared about them and wanted to show she was thinking of them. Chocolate did all that and more. Suddenly she knew what shedidwant. She wanted to do something with chocolate. Bring joy to people.
Already she was thinking of who she wanted to buy gifts for: Hannah, Miriam, and Derek, obviously; and then Ian at work, because although he was the HR bod, he’d also been kind and supportive and on her side about the blue hair-thing; and then there were the two Georges, because she still loved them, despite their Facebook faux pas; and Patsy and James. Before she knew it, her basket was full too, but she didn’t care, because she was already imagining her friends and family savouring each bite of deliciousness. Once upon a time she’d have bought something for Belinda; she loved white chocolate, which figured. Mina ignored the pang of sadness she felt. Belinda hadn’t even tried to apologise or explain. Not one text message or call. Some friend. Twenty-odd years down the drain. And yet here was Luke next to her – who of course didn’t like white chocolate – and she knew whatever happened, after knowing him for less than two weeks, he would always be a friend. Ever since that kiss on the train there’d been something between them.
‘Have you got some in there to share with me on the train?’ murmured Luke in her ear as she stood in the queue to pay for her goodies. There was no sign of the others who’d moved on out of the shop.
She laughed at him, studying his handsome face brimming with amusement and that ever-present readiness to smile. There was just something infectious about him, as if there was always a candle burning bright inside him. It was time to stop fighting the attraction between them and enjoy being with him for the next few days. Her normal modus operandi was to throw caution to the wind. She’d been overthinking this ‘sorting herself out’ business. And after today, she had an idea about what she wanted to do.
‘I think this time—’ she turned to face him ‘—it’s your turn to buy the chocolate.’
‘To be truthful, I’m all chocolated out. I fancy something nice and savoury like a packet of crisps.’
Mina laughed, although she knew exactly what he meant. ‘And a can of coke. All this chocolate makes you thirsty.’
‘Now who’s the philistine?’
Everyone on the bus travelling back to pick the train up was in high spirits, and the earlier reserve between different nationalities and ages dissolved as a loud discussion commenced about where everyone had eaten at lunchtime and what they’d had. This moved onto the best cheese, the best chocolate, and then the best train journeys in Switzerland. There was no doubt that every single person was completely smitten with the country. There wasn’t a single complaint from anyone and by the time the rain rolled into Montreux all the passengers were firm friends, calling goodbye as they all clutched their bulging bags of cheese and chocolate. Mina almost felt sorry to be saying goodbye to Bernhardt, Kristian, and Uta.
‘We’ll see you on Friday,’ said Kristian. ‘Don’t miss us too much.’
‘I’ll do my best,’ said Mina, shooting a stern glance at Uta laughing over his shoulder.
‘See you Friday,’ said Bernhardt, stepping forward to kiss her on either cheek. Although the gesture was quite formal, it still discomfited her slightly, especially when Uta raised her eyebrows and smirked.
‘Have a safe trip back,’ said Uta, giving her a quick hug adding in a quick whisper, ‘I bet you’ll be glad to be on your own. See you Friday.’
Mina hugged her back and gave her a reproachful smile. ‘See you Friday.’
With all their goodbyes said, Luke and Mina made their way to the platform for the train to Brig.
‘Phew, peace and quiet,’ said Luke.
‘Everyone was so friendly. It was fun, though.’
‘It was but…’ Luke’s hand found Mina’s and he threaded her fingers through hers, leaving the sentence unfinished. She looked up at him and smiled, knowing exactly what he meant. It was nice to be just the two of them again and she enjoyed the simple feel of his hand in hers. The unspoken connection and the quiet simplicity of standing side-by-side without having to say a word. When the train to Brig arrived and they sat next to each other, thigh-to-thigh, it seemed totally natural for Luke to put his arm around her, and for her to rest her head on his shoulders. It had been a lovely day, and one she was going to remember for a long time, especially as she was finally closer to finding something she wanted to do. She didn’t know what it was yet, but she knew it had to involve chocolate.
Chapter Fifteen
As they walked, weary but happy, up to the chalet, Mina felt a sense of homecoming and serenity at the sight of the light spilling out from the first-floor window of the lounge, golden and warm, enticing them in. It might also have had something to do with the way Luke’s gloved hand casually took hers again as they stepped off the train.
Although her body sagged with the travel-stained weariness of a long day, Mina felt a little catherine wheel of excitement and anticipation fizzing in her chest, one that could be examined later. Despite having eaten her fill of cheese and chocolate over the course of the day, she was ready for something hearty and savoury.
‘Luke, Mina,’ called Amelie as soon they appeared in the doorway of the chalet. ‘Just in time. How was your day? Come, come. Sit down.’
They exchanged reluctant smiles. Mina wanted a quiet, private moment to further explore that almost-kiss, to savour what it might feel like to be held in Luke’s arms. It felt like they’d been thwarted again, although admittedly at that present moment, Mina was too tired to do anything other than peel off her coat and drop her bags onto one of the sofas in the lounge. Before she walked through, Luke caught her arm and very gently stroked the inside of her wrist as if to remind her he was still there. It boosted her spirits and she gave him a shy smile. Amelie, doing her usual sheepdog impersonation, ushered them into two seats at the end of the table, next to Dave and Claudia. Within minutes Amelie had placed big plates of fragrant golden risotto in front of her and Luke. Inhaling the lovely scent Mina felt herself perk up almost immediately. She could see tiny strands of saffron colouring the rice, and the lovely unctuous, glossiness of melted cheese.
‘Perfect, exactly what I need,’ said Mina, sinking back into the chair, already comforted by the prospect of good food and the thought of not having to move for a while.
‘You mean you’re not full?’ asked Claudia.
