33
24 DECEMBER, LAPLAND, FINLAND
Christmas Eve Dinner
‘Merry Christmas Eve to one and all!’ Princess says as we sit together in the lodge for our Christmas feast. In most parts of Europe, Christmas is celebrated on the 24th, so we’ve followed this tradition. The dining room of the lodge is packed with guests. Igor and Katya are accosting poor Santa, who was simply ho-ho-ho-ing and trying to jingle his bells when they launched at him for photos. I can only laugh and silently wish Santa well.
From this vantage point high up in the lodge, the igloos are lit up with festive lights that shine brightly under the dark sky. Gorgeous fawn-coloured reindeer mosey past the window and stop to gaze in, their almost human-like doe eyes captivated by the goings on in the lodge.
Princess stands and calls for our attention. ‘I have a little surprise for each of you, and before you go blustering about not getting me anything, save it.’ She hands us all a small box.
‘Go ahead, open it!’
Inside are gold passport charms. On the passport cover is the tiniest engraving:The Lucky in Love Travel Club. It’s enough to make me well up. Such a sweet, thoughtful gift and one I’ll treasure. I take it from the box and loop it through my necklace.
‘How did you?—’
‘Where—’
Princess waves us to sit down. ‘I found the charms in Copenhagen, and they offered an engraving service.’ Sabrina and George enter the dining room… holding hands.
‘Merry Christmas!’ I hug Sabrina and everyone follows suit. There’s much chatter as we sit back down and enjoy our Christmas feast, looking out over the snowy landscape.
Princess has sorted an igloo for them for the evening, so they’re led away by a staff member to check in. Sabrina’s face is a picture of pure bliss at the extravagance. ‘That was nice of you,’ I whisper.
‘Least I could do. She’s a real asset to the Winter Wonderland Express. And she doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to be promoted to Guest Relations Manager. Her talents are wasted turning down beds and pouring coffee, so even though I’m retired I made a couple of calls. She’ll be fabulous in her new role with her bubbly personality and care for passengers’ needs.’
‘That role is perfect for her.’ We fall quiet when Sabrina returns gushing about the igloo. It’s impossible not to be swept along in her joy.
‘Isn’t it strange to think there will be an entirely new load of passengers on the train? Sleeping in our cabins, sitting at our table, or in our spot in the library?’ CJ says with a bittersweet smile.
‘So strange,’ I agree. ‘I only hope they enjoy it as much as we did.’
‘Let’s cheers to that,’ Jasper says, raising his glass. ‘May they make friendship the way we have.’ There’s the clink of champagne flutes and smiles all round. You don’t often make such solid friendships on travels like this, so I vow to hold on to them all and not let time or distance dull this incredible bond.
‘So…’ Princess raises a brow. ‘It might be too soon but what are everyone’s plans for the summer? I happen to own a cruise ship that sails around the Cyclades, that stunning archipelago of islands with all that blue of the Aegean Sea…’
‘I’m in,’ Barry says with a lopsided grin.
‘I mean, I only ever travel at Christmas but I’m sure allowances can be made,’ Karen says with a wink.
‘It’s a hell yes from me.’ CJ grins.
Jasper clasps my hand, and I give him a nod. ‘We’d love to join you all there!’
‘Woohoo! Season two of the Unlucky in Love Travel Club. Destination: the Cyclades.’
Who knew that being unlucky in love would lead to this? What the future will bring is anyone’s guess. What I do know is Jasper is up for anything, and it might be nice to have a sidekick on my travels, one who sees the same beauty as I do.
As the group chatter away, excitedly making plans for the summer, I lead Jasper to the picture window under the pretence of taking a closer look at the reindeer, when really, I just need to feel his arms around me once more. To feel the warmth of him.
‘You read my mind,’ he says with a seductive grin and leans down to kiss me, lighting up my heart and my soul. Have I found my perfect match? A man who says yes to adventure? A man who lives life on his own terms, just like I do. A soul mate? Because that’s what this feels like, destiny. Like I’m the heroine in a romance movie who finally understands that all paths were leading her here, to this very moment.
* * *
After dinner we’re all wrapped in fur blankets as we sit on the deck of the lodge, even though we all have perfectly warm igloos to hang out in. There’s a crispness to the air that feels like a tincture when I inhale.
‘We’re out of champagne.’ Karen wiggles the empty bottle. ‘I’m not sure whether to call it a night or not.’
