One Foot Onto the Ice Read Free Page B

approaching. “Not all women who go to girls’ schools
end up like that.” She nodded towards her plump, ginger colleague. “I’m
dating.”
    Jenna didn’t turn around. Instead she fixed her eyes on her
flustered classmate. “That’s a shame, because I did.”
    Susan paused and slowly gained the confidence to look into the
deep-set exotic eyes. “Have a crush?”
    “No!” Jenna immediately realised she had said it too
preposterously. “Sorry, no, I mean I ended up like that .”
    “Sorry ladies, the French don’t know the first thing about customer
service.” Marcus Ramsbottom wiggled the bottle of wine. “But hopefully this’ll
be worth the wait.” He puffed up his chest and stretched out his hand to Jenna
James. “Our ski guide, I take it?”
    “Yes. I’m Jenna James. Nice to meet you…” She paused for his
introduction.
    “Professor Ramsbottom.”
    Jenna tried not to smirk. “Nice to meet you, Professor.”
    Susan was still trying to flatten the static in her hair. “Call
him Marcus.”
    “No Susan, she’s staff. Professor will be fine.”
    Jenna nodded. “It’s okay, I understand how St Wilf’s works.
Protocol is paramount.”
    Marcus fingered his thinning hair, genuinely surprised. “Really?
It often takes some getting used to for people who haven’t been through the
private system.”
    Susan attached the pen to the clipboard and held it against her
chest, desperately trying to regain her composure. “She has. Jenna and I were
classmates.”
    Marcus took a visible step backwards, reassessing the lady’s
childish bunches and over-familiar smile. “Never! Well would you ever?”
    “I guess I don’t get a mention at the Presentation Evenings then?”
    Susan smiled, aware that she too was never mentioned as one of St
Wilfred’s greatest success stories. She shook her head at Jenna and giggled. “They’re
too busy talking about Jemima Grice, MP, and the latest DNA discovery made by
Flavia Simkins.”
    Jenna laughed loudly, making Susan’s blush run even deeper. “You
always were funny at school.”
    “Inspirational women.” Marcus nodded solemnly. “And all down to
the work we do with them at St Wilfred’s.”
    Jenna eyed the young professor. “You taught them? Wow. Have you
been there long? I was in their year at school and I don’t remember you
teaching us.”
    Marcus pulled on the corners of his moustache. “If I had taught
you, you might not be standing there in that garish red tracksuit.”
    Susan was aghast. “Marcus!”
    Jenna tapped the company logo on the top of her jacket. “I own
Club Ski, actually. I built it up from scratch. We’re worth millions.”
    Marcus guffawed. “I’m such a tease! You’ll learn that quickly.” He
nodded at Susan. “Tell her what a jokester I am, Susan. Non-stop gags.” He
looked back towards Jenna and spoke seriously. “We churn out such entrepreneurs
here at St Wilf’s.” He paused in the silence and stretched his arm out towards
the coach. “Ladies, or should I say, entrepreneurs, after you.”
    Susan momentarily tore her eyes away from Jenna and glanced at her
colleague. “Have you double checked they’re all out?”
    “Yes, yes. We’re on the home stretch now.” He ignored his own
offer and pulled himself up the steps first. “Jenna James, you must regale us
all with your rise to riches story.”
    Susan stayed on the tarmac and fixed her eyes on Jenna. “That’s
brilliant. I knew you’d make something of yourself. Owner of Club Ski? That’s
incredible.”
    Jenna stepped in closer and lowered her voice. “Am I bollocks. I’m
just a bog-standard ski instructor.” She nudged Susan’s arm. “Took the gloat
right off Professor Sheep’s-Arse’s face though, didn’t it? I bet he tells
everyone he taught old Simkins and Gricey. What is he? Twenty-eight going on
ninety-two?”
    Susan didn’t have chance to reply. Jenna was already pulling
herself up the stairs and into the coach. “Right,” she said to herself,