The Warning Bell

Laura insists on joining Marcus’ boys-only trip – but this isn’t just any skiing holiday

- ALLIE REYNOLDS

LAURA’S Oakley goggles had misted up on the inside. She could hardly see a thing.

“Come on or we’ll lose the others!” Marcus shouted from somewhere down the slope.

“I’m coming!” Laura called. She heaved herself upright, only to overbalance and topple over again. Luckily there was enough fresh snow to cushion her fall. She struggled back to her feet, but her snowboard had a mind of its own and shot off sideways.

Bam! She was down again.

“Marcus, wait!” she shouted, but there was no response.

Marcus’ friend, Dylan, had advised her to get some snowboard lessons.

“No way,” Marcus had said. “They’ll cost a fortune. She’ll manage.”

The snow was falling heavily now. Laura rubbed her wrist, longing to be back in the safety of the ski lodge, warming her fingers around a mug of hot chocolate.

She brushed the flakes off her jacket and stood up, teetering for balance. Cautiously she side-slipped down the slope. The metal edge of her snowboard bit into the snow, sending little chips of ice spitting into the air.

The fog was getting thicker by the minute. “Can you go any slower?” Marcus said when she finally reached him.

Laura was close to tears. “How much further is it to the cable car?”

“How would I know?”

An elderly skier in a navy ski jacket appeared out of the fog. “Are you in need of help?” he asked.

“No, mate,” Marcus snapped.

Laura flinched at her boyfriend’s rudeness, but the man nodded and skied on down the slope.

“Why didn’t you ask him about the cable car?” Laura asked.