One Foot Onto the Ice (22 page)

Jenna turned her head towards the shrieking that was now coming
from every single chair in the line. “Shit!” she gasped. “He’ll have to hang
on!”

“STOP,” screeched Susan. “They have to stop the lift!”

Jenna shook her head frantically. “It’s more dangerous to stop!
She’ll fall. He has to hang on!”

Priggy looked over her shoulder and saw the little girl suspended
by her yellow jacket. “What can we do?” she gasped.

“We’re at the end. We have to get off,” shouted Champagne,
bringing everyone’s attention to the snow at the front.

The four women pushed from the seat and slid to a stop, turning
around and standing in horrified silence. Another chair pulled over the peak
and rounded the bend, dropping off a group of foreign skiers who were pointing
behind them and shouting in a fast and anxious dialect.

“We have to help her,” gasped Susan, unable to see down the slope,
unsure of her options.

Jenna pointed to the wooden hut next to the lift at the man who
was shouting into his radio. “They can’t stop the lift. It’s more dangerous to
leave her hanging there.” She took Susan’s arm. “He’s on the radio. He’s
calling for help. A few more chairs and it’s them.”

Susan grabbed hold of Jenna’s hand and watched as the next group
of skiers emerged over the mountain. All were pale faced and opened mouthed. Club
Ski instructor, Lisa, and student, Cordelia Buckingham, were the next to appear.
Lisa held the girl below her shoulders as they pushed themselves from the
chair, making sure they stayed on their feet. “It’s Daisy,” she gasped. “She’s
slipped.”

“We know, we know, we saw her,” said Jenna. “Stay calm, we just
have to wait.”

Susan watched the next chair rise up from the snow. It was
Margaret and Porscha’s and both girls were screaming in horror. “She’s fallen!”
they shouted. “She’s fallen!”

Jenna shuffled forwards, ready to help if they slipped. “Get your
skis together and bend your knees,” she shouted

The girls did as instructed and managed to stay standing. “She’s
fallen!” they screamed, shuffling into the group. “She’s fallen!”

Susan moved forwards and stood shoulder to shoulder with Jenna,
holding her breath and waiting in silence.

The next chairlift appeared.

Marcus was sitting on the seat, motionless, clutching onto the
little yellow jacket for dear life.

The zip was open.

Chapter Twenty

 “
Noooooo!
” screamed Susan, looking ahead in horror. “
Daisy!
”

Jenna shouted to Lisa. “Keep the girls together. Take them up to
the hut.” She looked at Marcus who’d dropped into the snow. “Get yourself up.
Stay with the group. Susan, you’re coming with me.”

Jenna’s sharp voice had jolted Susan back to reality. “I should
have waited,” said Susan.

“Forget that. We need to get to Daisy. Let’s ski under the lift.”

Susan shook her head. “I should have waited.”

“Susan! Pull yourself together. Daisy needs us.”

“This is all my fault.”

Jenna pushed off with her poles. “Forget it, I’ll go.”

Susan shook her head and followed Jenna’s tracks. “I’m coming with
you.”

“Here, bend under this.” Jenna stopped at the edge of the slope
and lifted the orange tape. “We’ll ski through the trees and come out under the
chairs. It’ll be dark so take your glasses off.”

Susan dipped her head and slid into the thick snow. “Are we okay
going off-piste?”

“There’s no other choice,” said Jenna looking up and following the
direction of the chairlift. “Just keep your knees bent.”

Susan did as instructed and joined Jenna’s tracks, darting left
and right past the tall trees and gulping each time her skis hit a rut. “How
far?” she shouted.

Jenna kept her eyes forwards and dodged an exposed tree stump.
“We’re nearly out, look.” She pointed towards a gap in the trees.

Susan made one final swerve before emerging into the direct sunlight
and onto the white expanse of untouched snow. She squinted and glanced up and
down. “There!” she screamed, nodding her head towards the small body curled up
in the broken snow.

Jenna pushed off again and sped towards the scene, conscious of
the skiers who were travelling above them and shouting words of advice. She
pulled to a stop next to the little girl and unclipped her skis. “Daisy,” she
said, falling to her knees, “Daisy, are you okay?”

Susan edged in closer. “Daisy?”

Daisy opened her eyes and shivered. “Can I go home now?”

“Daisy!” wailed Susan with relief. “You’re okay?”

Daisy groaned quietly. “My leg hurts.”

Jenna heard the roaring sound of the Ski-doo’s engine and lifted her
ski pole to signal it over. “Your mum’s fine. We were coming to tell you.”

Daisy lifted her head and winced. “She is?”

Susan took off her jacket and placed it in the snow, gently
lowering Daisy back down. “Yes. She phoned ten minutes after you left. She
forgot about the time difference. She’s fine. He’s gone.”

Daisy was babbling. “But he was there. He told me it was my fault.
He told me I couldn’t speak to her. I thought he’d hurt her.”

Susan stroked the little girl’s forehead. “She was at your
auntie’s. She’s fine.”

Daisy closed her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” whispered Susan.

“I unzipped my coat. I wanted to fall.”

Jenna sighed. “There’s nothing in this life that’s worth this much
pain.”

“I know, I just thought…” Daisy paused. “Can I go home? I just
want to make sure.”

Susan shuffled backwards allowing the first aider a closer look.

“You’re not going anywhere, young lady,” said the bespectacled
man, assessing her injuries. “That leg’s a right mess.”

Susan looked down at Daisy’s knee, which was bent at a funny
angle. “Oh, Daisy.”

The man spoke again. “She’ll be in shock. The pain’s not hit her
yet. We need to get her onto the stretcher and take her down to the bottom.
There’s an ambulance waiting that will take her to the local hospital. She’ll
probably need surgery.”

Jenna sighed and shook her head. “It looks like you’ll see your
mum after all.”

“Really,” said Daisy, lifting her head hopefully.

Jenna nodded. “I’ve had this before. The school insurance will pay
for your mum’s flights. She’ll need to be here if you’re having an op.”

Susan looked up. “Is that right?”

“Yes, I’ll call her now to get her initial permission, but
hopefully she’ll catch a lunchtime flight and be here by this evening.”

“Are you okay to sort that out?” asked Susan. “I’d like to stay
with Daisy.”

Jenna tried to connect with Susan’s eyes. “Of course. Leave it
with me. I’ll make sure Lisa and Hugo stay for the swimming as well, just in
case you’re not back.”

Susan nodded. “And make sure everyone knows she’s okay. I don’t
want people to panic.”

Jenna reached out to Susan. “This wasn’t your fault.”

“No,” said Susan, starting to stand, “it was yours.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Susan looked across the small private room at Daisy Button who was
sleeping peacefully in the brightly coloured bed. She glanced up at the clown
clock that was ticking quietly above the door. 8.00 p.m. Mrs Button was due in
at nine. She lifted her phone and checked for new messages, disappointed when
the same three flashed up. All were from Jenna and all were straight forward.

JENNA 12.00 P.M.
“ALL TOGETHER HAVING LUNCH.
ALL FINE. THX 4 PHOTO OF DAISY SMILING IN AMBULANCE – IT REASSURED THE GIRLS.”

JENNA 4.30 P.M.
“AFTERNOON WENT WELL. NO
FALLERS. SYLVIE’S DONE SAUSAGES BEFORE THE SWIM. GLAD DAISY’S OP WENT WELL.”

JENNA 7.30 P.M.
“ON COACH ON WAY BACK.
GIRLS ARE FINE. ENJOYED THE POOL. THEY’LL GO TO BED WHEN WE’RE BACK.”

Susan clicked reply and started to type. “
Let me know when
they’re quiet
.”

JENNA 8.05 P.M.
“ALL QUIET.”

Susan sighed and typed her response. “
Thanks
.”

JENNA 8.06 P.M.
“NO PROBLEM. YOU WANT TO
TALK?”

Susan typed quickly. “
About what?
”

JENNA 8.06 P.M.
“EVERYTHING.”

“
Nothing to say.
”

JENNA 8.07 P.M.
“EVERYTHING TO SAY. YOU
BLAMED ME.”

“
I was trying to get away from you. If you hadn’t been so mean
on the slopes I’d have waited for Daisy at the bottom.
”

JENNA 8.08 P.M.
“WHAT??!!”

“
I should have waited for her. I don’t like who I’ve become.
”

JENNA 8.08 P.M.
“WHO HAVE YOU BECOME?”

“
A lesbian who laughs when her students sneak out at night. A
lesbian who’s mean to her colleague. A lesbian who drinks on the job. A lesbian
who crosses the banter line with her students and lets them call her Susie.
”

JENNA 8.10 P.M.
“YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS???”

“
Deadly. This isn’t me.
”

JENNA 8.11. P.M.
“BLAME ANYTHING YOU WANT.
BLAME ME. BUT DON’T BLAME YOUR SEXUALITY.”

“
Fine,
” typed Susan, dropping the phone onto the table.

“Madam Quinn, are you okay?” Daisy had her glasses back on and was
trying to pull herself into a seated position.

Susan jumped up from her chair in the corner and dashed to her
side. “Do you need a hand with your cast?”

Daisy nodded. “It’s pretty heavy.”

“How are you feeling? You know how lucky you are, don’t you?”
Susan adjusted the little girl’s heavy white leg and fixed the pillows behind
her back.

“I’m so sorry, Madam Quinn, I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ve been
watching you typing on your phone and you look so upset.”

“I’m not upset with you, Daisy, I’m upset with myself. If I’d been
a better teacher this wouldn’t have happened.”

Daisy looked up with wide eyes. “It would! I’ve be thinking about
ways I could injure myself all week. I jumped in front of Professor Ramsbottom
on the first day hoping he’d hurt me badly enough to get me sent home.”

Susan sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Oh, Daisy.”

Daisy shrugged. “It’s stupid, I know.” She smiled. “But it’s finally
worked. Mummy’s coming over so I’ll know for sure she’s okay.”

“She
is
okay.”

Daisy shook her head. “You weren’t there when he hit her. You
weren’t there when he threatened her, and you weren’t the one who had to leave
her alone.”

“Oh, Daisy.”

“She’s all I’ve got.”

The voice in the doorway was faltering. “And you’re all I’ve got
too, my love.”

“Mummy!” shouted Daisy. “You came!”

The young woman rushed into the room. “Of course I came. Please forgive
me? I’m so, so sorry. I just heard what you said. How could I put you through
this? I’ll never forgive myself for bringing that man into our lives.” She
threw her arms around the little girl. “And to think I told you to stay quiet.”
She shook her head as a slow tear slid down her cheek. “I’m the worst mother in
the world. I got my priorities wrong. We’d have survived without his money.
Look at me now. I’ve got that promotion. We’re going to be fine. If only I’d hung
on just that little bit longer.”

Daisy reached out for her mother’s hand. “You weren’t to know.”

“But I should have known. I should have known what was right.”

Susan slid off the bed and made her way back to the chair in the
corner. “I’ll give you two some space.” She reached for her phone and walked
towards the door.

“No, Madam Quinn, I have to thank you.”

Susan looked at the lady. “You don’t. I could have stopped this.
If only I’d waited at the bottom of the chairlift she wouldn’t have fallen.
This is my fault.”

Mrs Button shook her head. “If only I’d left him sooner she
wouldn’t have panicked. It’s my fault.”

“I unzipped my jacket!” shouted Daisy. “I’m the person to blame!”

Susan ignored the protest. “We can open a full enquiry, Mrs
Button, we can—”

“No,” her voice was firm, “I don’t want everyone knowing our
business.”

“But there’s been a safety breach on the slopes; that alone needs
investigating.”

Mrs Button shook her head. “She slipped and she fell. It was an
accident. I don’t want to hear any more about it.”

“I’m not sure that’s up to us. But I’ll keep you informed.” Susan
looked at the small overnight bag resting next to the door. “Was your journey
okay?”

Mrs Button smiled, relieved by the change of topic. “Everyone’s
been brilliant. I have my own personal liaison woman at the insurance company
and she got me on an earlier flight. There was a taxi waiting for me at the
airport and it brought me straight here. They said they’d pay for a room in a
local hotel if I wanted it, but I think I’d rather just stay in that chair.”

Susan smiled. “I’ll be popping in every day.”

“No you will not. You’ll be off enjoying the last few days of your
trip.” Mrs Button nodded at Daisy. “Isn’t that right? We’ll be fine on our
own.”

Susan laughed. “No, really, I’d like to pop in. They’re hoping to
discharge Daisy on Friday, so it’s only two nights.”

“I don’t want to see you,” said Daisy’s mum, shaking her head.
“They’ve said I can come home on the coach with the school. My woman said I
could fly back if I wanted, but poor Daisy will need someone to support her
cast on the long journey back.”

“It’s almost fifteen hours,” said Susan, “and it’s through the
tunnel. You may want to re-think.”

Mrs Button teasingly rolled her eyes. “I’ll look forward to it.”
She smiled. “And I won’t be re-thinking the inquiry. This was an accident,
Madam Quinn. An accident. Now go. You’ve done enough. Those other girls will be
missing you.”

“So will Jenna,” added Daisy with a grin.

Susan reddened as she reached for her phone. “Jenna’s our ski
guide. She’s been very helpful.” She nodded at Mrs Button. “You’ve got my
number. Please keep me informed.”

Daisy’s mum smiled. “Thank you, for all that you’ve done.”

Susan felt a lump rise in her throat. “I just wish I’d done more.”