In the bedroom, shared by four girls, Joan took charge of Mandy, helping her to undress and getting out her nightwear, a pair of pyjamas, consisting of a jacket and shorts, which revealed a long red mark down her calf.
‘Wow!’ Joan exclaimed.
‘It’s impressive, isn’t it?’ Mandy said, touching it gently. ‘It’s also sore.’
There was a knock at the door and Renzo’s voice said, ‘Can I come in?’
‘Yes, fine,’ Joan called.
‘Joan, Peter’s looking for you,’ he said, entering. ‘I think he’s planning a romantic tryst in the moonlight. Shall I tell him you’re not interested?’
‘Don’t you dare,’ Joan said eagerly and slipped away.
‘Let me have a look at that leg,’ Renzo said.
Mandy sat on the bed, swinging her legs up so that he could see the mark, and he seated himself, inspecting it critically and laying his hand over it.
‘It’ll be better when I’ve rubbed some of this in,’ he said, holding up a bottle.
‘What is it?’
‘Dr Renzo’s All Purpose Linctus is what you need. Stretch out.’
His manner was so impersonal that it was easy to lean back, close her eyes and succumb to the soothing effect of his hands rubbing her leg rhythmically. It was wonderfully relaxing, and she soon felt warmth flowing through her.
‘Mmm!’ she said softly.
‘Good?’
‘Mmm!’
‘Got any more aches and pains?’
‘Everywhere,’ she murmured. ‘Neck, shoulders, arms, back-’
‘Turn over.’
She did so and he continued massaging her back, sliding his hands under the cotton jacket until, almost without realizing what she was doing, she opened the buttons at the front and he pulled it off.
How good it felt to have him massaging her spine, her shoulders, her neck, driving the strain away until she was floating in a cocoon of comfort. She was vaguely aware that she was being foolish, lying here, half naked, alone with a man who charmed his way through life. When he’d finished easing her ailments he would try once more to bring her under his spell, perhaps to avenge his defeat the night before.
He’d do it by letting his hands wander just a little too far, drifting forwards to caress her breasts, pausing to see if she objected, but not really expecting it. Then she would have to be firm with him, which would be hard because she felt too contented to be firm about anything.
‘Right, that should do it,’ Renzo said, standing up. ‘I’ll send some food in, and then a good night’s sleep should make you feel better. Goodnight.’
And he was gone.
Mandy lay there, thoughtful, unsure whether to credit him with being a gentleman or blame him for the implied slight. While she was trying to decide, she fell asleep.
CHAPTER THREE
WHEN she awoke, Joan was there.
‘Renzo sent me in with food an hour ago, but you were dead to the world,’ she said. ‘Now, I’m under strict orders to keep an eye on you and make sure you eat as soon as you awake.’
Mandy sat up, rubbing her eyes. ‘Where does he get off giving people orders?’
‘He doesn’t, really. He just gets his own way with that smile. It’s far more effective than anything else, sort of wicked and gorgeous. It invites you into a conspiracy with him, and you know that it would be the most delightful conspiracy in the world.’
‘Does Peter know you feel like that about our great and glorious leader?’ she asked tartly.
‘Every girl on this trip feels like that about him. Except you, but then you’re just “ornery”. I can’t think why, especially when he’s been so nice to you today. Oh, yes-I see. I should have thought of that.’
‘Thought of what?’
‘When he was giving you that massage-I should have stayed here, shouldn’t I? I thought he was the perfect gentleman, but I ought to have known better.’
‘What are you saying?’ Mandy demanded.
‘Well-you know-he probably let his hands wander too far. That’s it, isn’t it? He “took advantage of you”.’
‘No, he didn’t,’ Mandy said, exasperated beyond endurance. ‘He was totally professional and his hands didn’t wander one inch from where they should be.’
‘What, not even the tiniest-’
‘Ah,’ said Joan wisely. ‘Now I see.’
‘There’s nothing to see. It’s time I got up,’ Mandy said firmly. ‘I’ll eat out there. Shall we go?’
Joan’s knowing eyes saw too much.
Mandy edged tentatively off the bed, fearing the worst, but she felt good. Dr Renzo had been very effective, she thought, pulling on some clothes, pleased to find that it was easy.
The others raised a cheer as she appeared and asked kindly how she was. Renzo didn’t speak, but he observed her carefully and served her food with his own hands.
‘Eat it all,’ he said. ‘You’ve got to keep your strength up.’
While she ate he watched over her like a guard dog, or a nanny. Suddenly her thoughts about his amorous intentions seemed ridiculous, and she began to chuckle.
‘Careful,’ he said gently. ‘What’s so funny?’
‘Nothing-nothing-’ she gasped.
‘Well, don’t choke yourself for nothing. Steady.’ He was patting her on the back. ‘That’s better. Now can you share the joke?’
‘No way,’ she said. ‘Some jokes just can’t be shared.’
‘They can be the best,’ he suggested.
‘That’s true, and this one-Oh, don’t get me started again.’
He looked at her curiously, and seemed about to say something, when a shout of,
It was Henry, standing at the window.
‘It’s snowing,’ he bawled.
At once they crowded to the window to see the soft flakes drifting down. Renzo slipped outside and Mandy joined him.
‘I don’t like this,’ he said, staring intently.
‘It’s not very bad, is it?’ she asked. ‘It’s only a light fall.’
‘Yes, but if it keeps on for long it can have a destabilising effect. You get too much light, powdery snow that hasn’t had a chance to firm up and compact with the rest.’
‘You mean, we couldn’t go on?’
‘It might be a good idea to turn back.’
‘I hope we don’t have to,’ she said with a little sigh. ‘It’s so lovely up here-and just a little bit of snow-’
‘The trouble with you English is that you live in a moderate climate,’ he chided her. ‘You don’t really understand that snow can be dangerous. But look high up.’ Renzo indicated the flakes and, beyond them, the white peaks rearing up in the darkness. ‘Snow like that isn’t just affecting life. It
‘Hey ho! That’s that then.’
‘No, it’s too soon to know how bad it’ll be. Don’t despair yet.’
