Chapter 3 – French Alps

12th December 2012 – 18:00 pm

Morzine, French Alps. France

Laurens' journey to the resort was long and tiring. She rubbed her eyes in an attempt to wake up. A decision she regretted when she saw the black marks on the outside of her hand. Looking in the car's rearview mirror, she sighed as suspected she had smudged her eye makeup. Hunting in her purse for a wet wipe, tissue, or something that she could use; but finding nothing. She parked her rental car and handed the keys to the security desk, ready for collection the next day. Grabbing her bag, she went inside the hotel.

The large reception was empty, and she checked in quickly. She had been given contact details of the person to get her uniform and the keys to her staff chalet. Suddenly the place got jam-packed with coaches full of people arriving hustling to get to the reception desk or waiting patiently in the foyer. Large metal boxes, suitcases, and technical equipment were being off-loaded onto smaller trailers and vans.

Laurens' attention went to the sound of a helicopter landing outside; she could just make out who they were through the large reception windows. Lauren's brow frowned, something was not right, and she needed to get to a phone or a computer quickly. Either she was late, or they were early.

Lauren hurried to the reception side and waved for the receptionist's attention, desperate to get the WIFI code. The receptionist looked over but carried on with what he was doing. Lauren needed to call Jack urgently.

Bo walked into the reception and took in the grand entrance; everything was gold, from the furnishings to the large draped curtains that hung to the side. The tables were all gold-trimmed and in the centre was a perfect array of fresh flowers. Bo had stayed in many hotels, and each one impressed her, but this one literally left her speechless. It had been an easy flight to Zurich, fifty minutes connection to Geneva, then a quick twenty-minute helicopter ride to take them the rest of the way. Most of the crew had already arrived and were unpacking the equipment.

Looking around, Bo froze after catching a glimpse of the beautiful blonde at reception. As if she thought the room could not have been more stunning, it lifted beyond expectations. Looking her up and down, she felt an unusual sensation and lost control of her breathing. Bo's eyes focused solely on her blonde mystery woman, who was leaning over the counter, stretching her lean figure to reach for a piece of paper. She was stunningly beautiful. Bo noticed her smudged eye makeup and giggled; she looked like she had on a pirate's patch. Bo found a packet of tissues from her bag. Smiling at her plan, she would say hello and offer her one as an icebreaker. Bo smiled as her blonde triumphally managed to get what she wanted and left clutching it in her hand. Bo followed her around to the left of reception. Bo saw her enter the internet room and sit at the first seat. Bo waited, taking a deep breath, summoning the courage to go and speak to her.

Lauren sat at the hotel's computer, typed in the wifi code from the paper that she stole from a small wicker basket on the other side of the desk. It rang a few times before Jacks face appeared.

"Hey Lauren, what's wrong with your face? Did someone punch you?"

Lauren saw her image in the corner of the screen and groaned, "It was a long journey."

"So, all settled? When are you going to dye your hair?"

"I have bigger issues than that. They're already here. I've just seen her walk into reception. I have no time to prepare myself for Karen and need a new identity, a blonde one."

"Okay, leave it with me." Jack replied, "In the meantime, go to the desk and ask for Gabriel La Roux. He has your new phone and wifi dongle. Connect your iPad to the VPN, and I'll send the identity via the secure network within the hour."

Lauren nodded.

"Hey, listen, sorry I was hard on you today" Jack changed the subject. "Let's put it behind us and get this one done right. Besides, you should be happier in this dream job surrounded by hot celebrities."

"I don't care. This is just a job for me." Lauren replied, leaning back in her seat.

"Lauren, Bo Dennis—"

"What about Bo Dennis? I read all I need to know. Another self-absorbed, self-obsessed, selfie-taking high maintenance, sex-craved drama queen for who I will need to wait on hand and foot with her fad vegan diet and pompous drinks. A dream job? it's gonna be a nightmare."

Jack hadn't replied. Instead, he was staring behind her. Lauren heard the footsteps and quickly turned around to see an angry-looking Bo storming down the corridor. Dam, Bo had been standing behind her. Lauren rushed up out of her chair and out of the internet room, but it was too late. Bo was walking back to her group and looking mighty pissed off.

Lauren turned back to the computer; Jack was gone. The screen was black. "Shit," Lauren mumbled under her breath and shut down her session.

12th December 2012 – 19:00 pm

Laurens' Room

Lauren busied herself while she waited for her file to come through. She used the time to familiarise herself with the area. She could not afford any more fuck ups. However, it was tough for Lauren to concentrate, as the earlier scene insulting Bo was bothering her. Lauren did not know why she had been so cruel. Lauren didn't even know Bo, never watched her T.V. show and knew it was pre-judgemental. Lauren knew the real reason was her own stupidity and the day she had.

Lauren unpacked her small duffle bag and got her uniform ready, as until she heard otherwise, the job was still on. Her accommodation was in the furthest building in the staff quarters, halfway up Nyon Mountain. The room was basic but had everything Lauren needed. A large bed dominated the centre. There was mismatched furniture around it, almost as if each new occupant left a piece of themselves behind. The bathroom was just as big as her room, a large bathtub on one side and a double shower on the other, like it was initially a family room or a dorm with bunk beds. Now, however, as it was dated, it had been made into staff residence.

Laurens' iPad pinged, and a new encrypted file flashed. Clicking the folder open, she rose to her feet. Fists closed. She typed on the Bluetooth keyboard, calling back Jack, whose face immediately appeared on the screen in front of her. "Lauren, before you start, we had no other choice. It's the only identity we had access to at short notice-"

"No other choice! You've used my own identity! How is that protecting me?" Lauren's voice was raised as she stood leaning over the laptop, face red and blood pumping.

"Protocol Lauren, keep it basic." Jacks voice from the P.C. was calmer, and Lauren sat down. "Besides, after insulting Bo Dennis, she would have heard your English accent, so we had no other options. You really are fucking up this day."

"Jack again, I'm sorry." Laurens' voice cracked.

"Two in one day," Jacks annoyance came through the computer's speakers, "Hardly the fucking prodigy I heard about from training. The Agency has more faith in you than I do."

"This is not me, and I'll prove it." Lauren pointed her finger at the screen. "Shit, I've checked in as Karen."

"That's been taken care of. We contacted Gabriel, and the papers will be destroyed, and a copy of your new documents and passport sent by twenty-four-hour courier arriving tomorrow evening."

"Okay," Lauren agreed, "And don't worry, I won't screw up anymore."

"You need to be more self-aware of your surroundings. I can't believe Bo was standing behind you, and you never noticed," Jack sighed, "I hope she doesn't go shit-crazy and fire you. Get to her, make sure she is okay."

"I know. I need to apologise, beg and hope there is a forgiving side."

Jack relaxed. He had got his point across and had Lauren exactly where he wanted her, controlled. "Do whatever it takes to get her on your good side, and I mean anything."

"Okay." Lauren pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Also, I've spoken to Ryan Lambert. He was the one with the now missing appendix and should have been there. He knows everything, so will be your second."

"Jack, please anyone but him." Lauren leaned to the screen, "We were on training together and, well, let's just call it a mutual agreement not to work together, ever."

"He is not a fan of yours either, but he is still your second." Jack laughed, "According to him, you're a loner except with women. He says that you've made your way through them all in Portugal, including one of the Trainers, the infamous Felicity Mills. I must say I'm kinda jealous. I thought she never shagged me cause she was married, not that she was gay."

"She is Bi, well that's what she told me anyway. Fine, I will connect with Lambert. Bye, Jack," Lauren was not in the mood to justify herself further. The screen went blank.

'Fuckkk', Lauren screamed into the room. This could actually be over before it began. She needed to rectify this and quick. The door-knocking made her jump; she wasn't expecting anyone and instinctively thought the worse.

12th December 2012 – 19.30 pm

Blue Skies Hotel and Chalets

The group had checked into the hotel in record time and shown to their private chalet, "Amour Sans Fin" at the top of Nyon Mountain. It was a spectacular large three-floor wooden chalet with an utterly perfect view of the mountains and the slopes. Evony had requested one large chalet to keep the group together.

Evony and Massimo had taken the two top floor rooms, leaving Tamsin and Bo fighting for the other two. It was either a middle floor room next to the bathroom or a ground floor room next to the kitchen. Bo lost and was unpacking in the smaller room next to the kitchen. The good news was that it joined the wrap-around balcony and had direct access to the private slope. The bad news was that there was barely enough room for the small double bed, the fitted, mirrored wardrobes and one little side table. It did have an en suite with a compact shower, toilet and basin all squeezed inside.

Bo unpacked her bag and walked outside ten minutes later to find the group in the living room, just past the kitchen, down a narrow corridor. "Hey all, settled?" She asked as she walked into the room.

"Why the fuck did we have to come here early." Tamsin was sitting on the couch, legs on the white leather and arms draped over the back. Her blonde hair scraped back off her face, and sunglasses were still on, even though they were indoors.

"Shut it, Tam, we're here now," Evony's eyes rolled, "where's our chalet staff?"

"Christ, yes," Tamsin added, "I need a drink."

"I thought you weren't going to drink anymore," Bo raised her eyebrow. "You said as such at least ten times after the weeklong hangover from the end of season party."

"Well, I won't drink anymore," Tamsin smiled, "But I won't drink any less, either."

Tamsin laughed at her own joke; Bo rolled her eyes. Since they were kids, she had known her; they were always fighting for the same parts at the same auditions. They were pitched as rivals, but Bo actually liked her. Unlike others in Bo's life, Tamsin was honest with her and kept her grounded. Bo knew that if she could break through that wall that they could be friends.

"I wonder what is in this chalet." Tamsin looked around, opening drawers and cabinets. Each one was filled with crystal decanters and bottles of everything imaginable. Tamsin smiled, "Jackpot."

Bo crouched beside her, "Maybe one night we can practice making a few cocktails."

Tamsin laughed and slapped Bo's arm, "Yeah and paint each-others nails and have sleepovers. You're so desperate to make us friends, Bo; it's pathetic."

Bo shook her head and thought maybe the friendship with Tamsin was a bit further off than she imagined.

Bo was about to speak again when the door knocked, a plump, rounded man stuck his head around the door. "Hello, I no interrupting, no?" His English was broken but clear.

Evony waved him in, recognising him from the check-in. "Mr Claude. Please come in."

He stood, hands clasped together, "Well, you know I no expecting you today, but delighted surprise. I trust the chalet is to your liking?"

Evony nodded and inhaled. Her body ached from the travelling, her eyes felt heavy, and she discreetly swallowed a yawn. She was not in the mood for small talk. She wanted a drink, her private room, and her sleeping pills in any order.

"So, I have not all your chalet staff ready today. We have soon, I promise. But tonight, I have your driver, Jean-Paul." A slim man was ushered into the room, head bowed and looking no older than eighteen years old. "He has a minibus and will drive you to all your locations, and anywhere else you want to go. Just dial nine on your chalet phone, and he will be here in no more than three minutes."

The group waved a hello. If truth be told, they could have waited until the morning to have staff introductions. Mr Claude stuck his head around the door and pulled in the next employee. The room fell silent. Lauren stood beside her boss wearing a plain white polo t-shirt, the chalet chain logo over her left breast, and long blue chinos finished with a pair of white pumps. Lauren was pulled from her apartment with no time to pull her hair back into the regulation bun, nor the time to remove her nail varnish or jewellery.

"This is your chef, Karen. She is French and studied at the famous Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. We are very proud to have her here serving you during your stay. She will prepare you whatever you want and specialises in fine French cuisine."

"Hi, I'm Lauren." She waved. No one, however, waved back; they just stared. "I studied at Le Cordon Blue in London, not Paris, and I am English, not French." Lauren corrected Mr Claude. She would have to explain that there was a mix-up and he had been sent incorrect information.

It was silent for a moment, and Lauren stood frozen, waiting for his reply, "Ah, so many people working here, sorry. This is Lauren."

Lauren breathed a sigh of relief, "It's a pleasure to meet you all.

Bo's jaw dropped.