'Lloyd seemed to have cheered up,' added Kate.

'Hmmm.' Ted wasn't sure. Who knew what was going on in another man's mind? 'Mia is a little caustic, don't you think?' Mia's tongue had managed to slash through even Ted's self-indulgent fog of worry.

'She always was a little sharp,' said Kate.

'But she is more so now, don't you think?'

'She's more confident now. Dares to say what she thinks.'

'You think it's that, do you?'

'Don't you?'

'I wondered if she was happy.' Ted often wondered who was truly happy nowadays and who was simply good at putting on a show.

'Oh, I think she is,' encouraged Kate. Kate liked people to be happy and rarely looked for anything else. 'Tash and Rich are very much in love, aren't they?'

'I imagine they are,' smiled Ted. It was impossible not to be warmed by Kate's enthusiasm.

'And Jayne is fitting in nicely.'

'Yes, no sign of her broken heart,' grinned Ted wryly.

'No,' confirmed Kate.

'I think she took us for a ride.'

'Yes,' confirmed Kate, pleased that her husband had reached the same conclusion as she had without her having to point it out to him. 'She adores you, Ted. She just wants to be part of her big brother's gang.'

'Do you think so?' asked Ted, surprised.

'She's been the same ever since uni,' said Kate, yawning.

Ted had finally eased himself out of his day clothes. He left on his boxers and hunted for a T-shirt to sleep in. It was too cold to think of going commando. He climbed into bed, pecked his wife on the cheek and turned out his bedside light.

'Night, night,' he muttered, rolling away from Kate.

Kate sighed. She lay in the darkness looking at the ceiling.

It had been fun at dinner. Yes, she missed the children, but she had to admit it was rather lovely having dinner and just following the genial chat, rather than always keeping one ear alerted for the baby monitor or a call from the baby-sitter to say one of them needed her that was if she had dared to venture further than her front door. It was wonderful to drink one too many with old friends and know that it didn't matter if you did have a hangover. And even if Ted was right about Mia and she was a little bit snappier than normal, she was probably premenstrual. Kate knew that Mia was a true friend. Tash and Rich were a pleasure to watch. Kate had never been able to imagine the woman Rich would end up with. He'd never restricted himself to a type. Tash did seem a little young. But youth was lovely. Jayne was behaving herself. Jason was hilarious, and it was pleasant to see Lloyd again. She really didn't know why she had left it so long. The times the gang had had together in the past were so important, but the memories could only survive if they were nurtured by regular reminiscing and, more importantly, if new experiences were added to the old. If she didn't have to ski, this would be the perfect holiday.

And if she could persuade her husband to make love to her.

What was wrong with him? When she'd suggested an early night, she did not mean to sleep. How could he think she did? Kate stared at the bulk under the duvet. She knew from her husband's breathing patterns that he wasn't really asleep, just pretending to be. Didn't he fancy her any more? Were her spreading thighs and vast b.r.e.a.s.t.s pushing him away? That would be so unfair. Ted wasn't the man she married either. He was twice the man. And she meant that in a nice way. Yes, he was fatter, greyer and a little bit balding, but he was also the man who had held her hand and rubbed her back through three labours. He was the man who provided for her and their children. She loved him more now than on their wedding day. Didn't he feel the same?

Kate, emboldened by drink, felt under the bed covers and moved her hand towards her husband's thigh. She rubbed it for a few moments, then slipped her hand further around towards his p.e.n.i.s. Ten years of marriage had taught her that in situations such as these lighting candles and covering his body with a hundred tender b.u.t.terfly kisses would not get the job done. He was a man. Besides, she'd tried that over a month ago to no avail. Nor had her cooking his favourite dish, buying s.e.xy underwear or asking him into the shower with her lit his fire.

She gently caressed and stroked and tickled, waiting to feel him stiffen. He did not. She increased the vigour of her stroke, even though that was a trick normally reserved until he was erect. Nothing doing. Ted's chubby p.e.n.i.s flopped around in her hand, defying thousands of years of genetic programming. Kate wasn't a quitter. She gently rolled Ted on to his back so that he lay looking at the ceiling, rather than facing the wall, with his back to her. She kissed him, using tongues and everything. Ted had an open mouth and open eyes, but a closed heart.

'What's wrong, Ted?' murmured Kate. She wiggled southwards, hoping her kisses could manage what her fingers couldn't. Ted pulled her back towards him. They stared at one another. Kate was confused, scared, hurt and humiliated. Ted was, too, but more so.

'Nothing,' he muttered, aware that he was compounding her fears.

Nothing. Kate was amazed. It was unlikely that 'nothing' could persuade any man to pa.s.s up the chance of a b.l.o.w. .j.o.b.

'I'm just very tired.'

Kate rested her head on his chest, and Ted wrapped his arm around her. Cuddling was nice. Despite the disappointment, she was asleep in seconds. Red wine did that to her.

'I love you, Kate,' Ted whispered to his sleeping wife.

Monday.

31. Not So Good Morning.

Rich thought that Tash might be just about to wake up. He'd lain and gazed at her for over an hour now, just looking.

He managed not to touch her. Not to trace his finger across her unsurpa.s.sable collarbone. He'd managed not to tenderly kiss those full, pink lips. But only just. It took every iota of his self-restraint. She wasn't an especially good 'morning person', and she might just be a bit irritated at being woken up before seven-thirty on holiday. But, G.o.d, he wanted to kiss her. And make love to her. Even though they'd made love most of last night and into the early hours, he wasn't satiated. He couldn't imagine ever getting to the point when he felt he'd had enough loving with Tash. He willed her to wake up. If she woke up on her own accord and not because he'd woken her, he would have a better chance of having s.e.x. He smiled with antic.i.p.ation; she was usually as randy as he was in the morning.

And if they had s.e.x, and it was really spectacular s.e.x, then he might tell her about Jayne. He was vacillating wildly as to whether or not this was the best course of action. Last night, high up in the mountains, under the duvet of black sky and brilliant stars, he had decided it would be unwise to mention Jayne. Later, in the throes of o.r.g.a.s.m, when he'd felt so close to Tash that he believed they were melting and meshing into one another, he'd thought it was the only way forward. But it hadn't been possible. Tash was almost bloke-like in her inability to stay awake and chat after o.r.g.a.s.m. She'd instantly rolled over and fallen asleep. Rich had comforted himself that coc.o.o.ned in that sort of intimacy Jayne couldn't harm them.

'Come on, wakey, wakey.'

There was a loud banging on their suite door and, even before Rich could compute that it was someone knocking, the door swung open and in walked Jayne.

'Warm pain au chocolat and a cooked breakfast, surely that can tempt you from even Tash's charms.' Jayne stood in the doorway of Tash and Rich's bedroom. She could smell s.e.x, warmth and affection lingering in the air. Jayne thought she might choke. She snapped on the harsh electric light in an effort to banish their cosiness.

'Come on, you two are supposed to be the keen boarders. Don't you want to cut some fresh snow, make some clean tracks? The slopes here are groomed with the same care as is lavished on the greens of expensive golf clubs.'

Tash, rudely awoken, sat upright in bed, seemingly unaware that she was flashing her naked b.r.e.a.s.t.s at Jayne. Jayne tried not to look, but couldn't help but notice that her nipples were pink. Pink! Rich had always said he preferred brown nipples. How could this relationship last if her nipples weren't even the right colour?

'Did we order room service?' Rich asked, as he stubbornly buried his head beneath the bed covers. His tone was indisputably grumpy. He'd been hoping for a b.l.o.w. .j.o.b, not a bacon b.u.t.tie. Besides, Jayne's presence in their suite scuppered both plan A and plan B. He could hardly build the intimacy necessary for a confession, and it was hardly what anyone would call keeping a distance from her either.

'No, but I wanted to treat you.'

Jayne put the tray on their bed, revealing a tempting stack of pastries, yoghurt, fresh fruit and juice, and two steaming cooked breakfasts. The tray was decorated with confetti and a single red rose.

'Wow, thanks, Jayne. That's really, really thoughtful, isn't it, babe?' Tash nipped her fiance under the covers. 'You are spoiling us,' she said as she immediately picked up a fork and dived into the tray of goodies.

'How did you get a key to our room?' asked Rich, glaring at Jayne, as he reluctantly surfaced from under the covers.

'I asked at reception. Told them my plan to surprise you and treat you to a romantic breakfast a deux, and they were very accommodating. Breakfast was hectic yesterday, wasn't it? I thought you'd appreciate a bit more privacy. After all, this is your wedding trip.' Jayne smiled at Rich. She looked a picture of fresh-faced innocence. In that instance, Rich despised her.

'Look, Richie, the bacon is crispy. Just how you like it,' said Tash.

'Do you mind going so I can go to the loo?' said Rich.

'I'll turn my back,' giggled Jayne, 'although I'm sure you haven't anything to show me that I haven't seen before.'

Rich froze and waited for Tash's response. But Jayne hadn't lobbed a hand grenade, only he knew she meant he literally didn't have anything to show her that she hadn't seen before. Rich sighed, got out of bed and wandered into the bathroom. When he came back, with a towel wrapped around his waist, Jayne was tucking into the breakfast along with Tash. The romantic breakfast a deux had clearly turned into pour trois. The girls were giggling. Tash's laugh was low and controlled. Jayne's was higher and slightly manic. Would she keep quiet or would she spill the beans? What was she playing at? Jayne looked at him and winked conspiratorially.

'Oh,' she cried with disappointment, 'you've found a towel. I wanted to check out your wedding tackle, see if you were up to scratch for the lovely Tash.'

Tash grinned and a.s.sured, 'No worries there, girlfriend.'

Rich turned red, but not with embarra.s.sment. He was angry and frustrated. He quickly s.n.a.t.c.hed up his clothes from around the bedroom floor and fled to the bathroom to get dressed. The girls returned to their giggling and whispering. Rich didn't dare think what they were talking about. Jayne's actions had now made it impossible to confess. Clearly Jayne was enjoying this farce. She had always liked living on the edge. Indeed, the exciting, wild aspect of her nature had been the very thing that had made her so attractive to him in the early days. Now he was terrified of her. She could ruin everything.

'Babe?' Tash tapped on the bathroom door. Rich eased it open a fraction and pulled her inside. He could see Jayne sitting on the bed. She was casually flicking through his paper stack on the bedside table, and then she opened his bedside drawer and began to flip through the contents, her long, red fingernails touching his wallet, his tickets, his phone and his condoms. Why was she doing that? Had she no sense of what was acceptable and what was intrusive?

'Er, excuse me,' he called from the bathroom.

'Darling, I'm horribly nosey. Apologies.' Jayne smiled, then picked up the copy of GQ that was lying on the floor.

'Can't you get rid of her?' he hissed at Tash.

'Relax, babe. It's cool. Wasn't the breakfast a sweet idea?'

'I haven't touched it.'

'Oh.'

'I'm not hungry. Look, can't you just get her out of here? We need some privacy.'

'OK. Jayne and I are going to board together today.'

'Don't you want to board with me?'

'Babe, I'd love to, but I thought you'd agreed to teach Jase and Mia again today.'

f.u.c.k, he had.

'It's no problem. I think I might get the lowdown on that p.r.i.c.k who ditched her back in London. I think she needs someone to talk to.'

'Does she?' Rich looked at his feet. He was expecting to see the blood that had drained from his body in a puddle around his toes.

'Can you imagine anyone letting a treasure like Jayne slip through their fingers?' asked Tash.

Rich couldn't think of a reply.

32. Jason's New Love Interest.

Jason was making great progress with his boarding lessons. Rich was a considerate and dedicated teacher, and Jase was a natural sportsman. He was fearless, tireless and, if the occasion necessitated it, mindless, too. He did not become frustrated with repeatedly practising the same moves over and over again in an effort to perfect a new skill, and his perseverance, a trait often lacking in daring sportsmen, paid off.

Mia had dutifully joined Jason for another s...o...b..arding lesson from Rich; however, after falling over for what felt like the hundredth time that morning, she decided to return her board to the rental shop and get back on to her skis. She could not imagine that she would impress, let alone seduce Jase if she slowed his progress and wept in pain.

She made light of her failure by mocking those who were successful at what she couldn't master.

'I've decided I don't want to join the baggy-trousered, peroxide-haired boarder girls, with their slouchy walks and their impossibly cool demeanours. They are so fake,' she insisted.

'You don't have to be blonde to board,' pointed out Jason.

'But I have a feeling it helps,' added Mia dryly.

'Those girls know how to have fun at least,' sighed Jason. Mia pretended not to hear him and went to find Ted and Kate. Rich was pleased to find himself alone with Jase. Jason was invariably sunny, and today he was positively bouncing. Rich hoped that some of his carefree att.i.tude would rub off on him.

'Yessssss. I'm f.u.c.king brilliant, if I say so myself,' yelled Jason, as he had successfully negotiated an entire blue run on his board, only falling once 'Mate, you are too modest,' laughed Rich.

'I am an Olympian hero,' shouted Jase, holding his arms aloft like a weightlifter.

Rich smiled to himself. Jason was short, he had stumpy legs, he didn't look like a hero, and yet Rich noticed that women couldn't keep their eyes off him. Maybe, like Rich, they were attracted to Jason all the more because his confidence was as misplaced as it was abundant.

'Seriously, though, you have every right to be proud of yourself. I've never seen anyone take to boarding as quickly as you have.'

'Yeah, well, I'm truly motivated,' smiled Jason.

'Oh, yeah?'

'Yeah, I have honey girls to impress. And I think it's working.'

Rich looked around him, to see if Jason meant anyone in particular. He had noticed a couple of Italian girls who had been flashing smiles and fluttering eyelashes when they shared the chairlift. They were beauties and, of course, promised hot Mediterranean pa.s.sion. Rich had had the best everything-other-than-s.e.x in his life with Italian girls. They were the consummate teases. In fact, it was his opinion that only Italian women knew how to strip so as to be s.l.u.ttish and quintessentially un.o.btainable at the same time. He smiled fondly at the memory of his various Italian girlfriends, and then his grin broadened as he registered that, while he was buoyed up by the recollection, he wasn't in the slightest bit interested in these girls' flirtatious come-ons. Not now he had Tash. He was happy to retire from the game and enjoy living the chase vicariously through Jase.

'You mean the Italian girls?' he asked.

'Oh, no, I'm thinking of something much closer to home,' Jason raised his eyebrows, and nodded to the left of Rich. Rich turned around.

Jayne.

Jayne was standing only metres away. She smiled broadly and headed towards them. Both Jason and Rich felt giddy, although neither of them suspected the other.

'Hi, guys. You looked fantastic out there, Jase. I've been watching you.' Jayne scooted up to Jason and leant in to place a full, lingering kiss on his mouth. Rich was pretty sure that she didn't use her tongue.

Pretty sure.

But she definitely meant to be more than friendly.

Jason grinned, 'You think so?'

'You're a natural. I love sporty men.' Her big smile dissolved into a pout, and then and Rich could hardly believe that she really did this she started to chew on her little fingernail as she c.o.c.ked her head to one side. She ran her wet finger over her lower lip, leaving some saliva glistening. Rich sighed impatiently. She might as well have carried a sign saying 'I give good head' which, by the way, was true.