One Foot Onto the Ice Read Free

relieved
that her confidence crippling acne had finally cleared up in her early
twenties. She reached back into her bag and brought out her pink shimmer-gloss
lip balm. It wasn’t a full-on lipstick but it gave the impression of effort,
and now, at twenty-six, Susan Quinn felt confident enough to make an effort.
She shopped in the Per Una section of Marks and Spencer and would
occasionally venture into Monsoon for the very special occasion, even though
most of those were school related. She sighed to herself. Maybe she should give
Marcus a chance. He had good prospects. He lived on the school site like her. His
breath didn’t smell all of the time. She stopped herself and thought about it
logically. Why was she even considering it? She paused in thought. He was
taking an interest. That was the reason. He was taking an interest, where no
one else really had.
     
    ****
     
    Marcus Ramsbottom studied the bottle of wine carefully. He had tried
his best to select a good but reasonably priced one from the small shop inside
the service station.
    “No alcohol allowed on the trip, Professor.”
    “I’m an adult, Champagne. The rules don’t apply to me. Madam Quinn
and I will be partaking in a bouteille de vin when you little ladies are
tucked up in bed tonight.”
    Champagne Willington and Priggy Bunton-Chatsworth pushed in front
of the wolf-whistling leather-clad French bikers and positioned themselves next
to their teacher. Champagne placed her hand on the professor’s shoulder.
“Number one, I’m eighteen, already legally an adult, and number two, I’d rather
not know what you and Madam Quinn partake in, thanks all the same.”
    Champagne Willington was a good five inches taller than her maths
professor and he struggled to focus on her eyes, instead letting his gaze hover
at breast height. “New top, Champagne?”
    Priggy Bunton-Chatsworth laughed. “Ding! You’re one point up,
Champs.”
    Marcus frowned, turning his attention to the stocky brunette. “And
what’s this new game?” he asked, noticing the top button of Priggy’s shirt had
come loose.
    Priggy licked her finger and made an imaginary mark in the air. “Ding!
One–one! Come on, Champs, we’re not buying anything, let’s head back to the
coach.”
    Marcus Ramsbottom nodded. “Round up any stragglers for me, please,
this queue just isn’t moving.” He lifted himself onto his tiptoes. “For
goodness sake, is that Willamena Edgington and Eugenie Rohampton on the slot
machines?”
     
    ****
     
    Susan was standing on the tarmac outside the coach ticking off
another two names as she watched the girls climb safely back into their seats.
Six students left to return. She lifted her face to the sun. It was glorious.
February was always the best month for snow, but the temperature could often vary.
She opened her eyes and squinted at the dazzling glow from the blanketed
mountains; it looked like they’d got lucky. Powdered snow and blazing sun. She
took a deep breath, actually able to feel her skin absorbing some much needed
vitamin D.
    The holler was loud. “This is just too strange!”
    Susan opened her eyes into the direct sunlight and blinked
furiously, trying to clear the blinding haze of brightness.
    The giggly voice continued. “Susan Quinn. Can you believe this?!”
    Susan blinked even faster. She looked at the lady and stammered,
“Jenna? Jenna James?”
    Jenna nodded, bouncing her bunches around and adding to her
already animated introduction. “Sure is. Jenna James, Club Ski, at your service.
Assigned to St Wilfred’s All-Girls School.” She stepped forwards and gave Susan
a full-bodied hug. “What’s it been? Ten years? I noticed last week that I was scheduled
to be with St Wilf’s. Imagine me in charge of a group from my old school! I
guess you can tell me what it’s like, can’t you?” Jenna smiled warmly. “So how
come you’ve ended up back here?” She quickly clarified herself. “Not that
there’s anything wrong with