Free One Foot Onto the Ice by Kiki Archer

away.
    Jenna let her take the lead, watching with admiration as her old classmate
zipped flawlessly across the slope. Her parallel turns were quick and efficient
and the position of her body was perfect. Jenna let her eyes focus on the taut
bottom swishing away in front of her.
    Susan glanced over her shoulder and shouted. “Why are you lagging
behind?”
    Jenna brought her knees even closer together, her skis now
millimetres apart. “I never had you down as competitive,” she said pulling
alongside, before quickly taking the lead and whizzing straight ahead.
    Susan laughed as Jenna sped away into the distance. She breathed
in deeply and slowed her turns, standing up taller and carving widely into the
brilliant white slope. She lifted her head and absorbed the postcard-perfect
picture. It was like a scene from Narnia. Tall green trees covered in snow
framed the powdered white expanse of the slope, which shone under the clear
blue sky and bright yellow sun. She smiled to herself, welcoming the feeling of
total freedom.
    “You’re glowing,” laughed Jenna as Susan finally made it to the
bottom of the run.
    “I know,” she laughed, taking another deep breath. “Everything’s
just so fresh and crisp up here. A perfect run down a beautiful slope and all
of my worries are forgotten.”
    Jenna pointed towards the chairlift. “This is the longest lift in
the whole area. We’ll be on it for about ten minutes. You can tell me all about
your worries on the way up.”
    “Is it Professor Ramsbottom?” asked Champagne, joining the group.
“Are you in a dilemma?”
    Susan laughed. “Champagne Willington, can you and Priggy go off
and talk about boys or something, please.”
    “No, Priggs would get bored.” Champagne linked Susan’s arm,
shuffling them both towards the turnstiles. “Come on, Susie, what’s on your
mind.”
    Susan sidestepped out of Champagne’s hold and positioned herself
against the metal bar. “I didn’t realise you were such a tease, Champagne. I
feel terribly uncomfortable with this first name agreement.” The green light
flashed and she pushed herself into the waiting position. “But since you asked
with such concern you’ll be pleased to know that I don’t have worries. I just
meant my mind feels completely free when I’m up here. I’ve always felt it. I’d
choose a skiing holiday over any other, any day.”
    “Me too,” agreed Jenna, pushing through the turnstile and pulling
up next to them both.
    “Champs, wait for me!” Priggy was banging her arm against the ski
pass detector, but the metal bar wasn’t moving.
    “The chair’s coming,” shouted Champagne, watching the four skiers
at the front of the queue being scooped up and away. “Your pass is in your
other arm pocket, Priggs!” Champagne quickly realised that it was too late for
her friend to catch this chair. “Fine. I’ll wait with you,” she moaned,
shuffling backwards.
    “See you up there, girls,” smiled Jenna as the yellow bars swished
open.
    Susan pushed herself forwards and looked back towards the two
young ladies. “Make sure you pull down your safety bar.”
    Jenna sidestepped into the lane next to Susan so they’d be sat
together. “They’re eighteen. Their families have probably taken them on more
skiing holidays than you and me put together. They’re fine. Don’t worry.” She
lifted herself slightly as the chair swept into position under their legs.
“Plus we get to talk without those eager ears listening in.”
    Susan adjusted herself in the seat and pulled down on the safety
bar, looking back over her shoulder at Champagne, and a more composed Priggy,
now sliding themselves into position on the plastic matting. She watched as the
chairlift swung around the corner and swept them up. She also watched with
relief as the girls quickly pulled down the metal safety bar. “Okay, ladies?”
she shouted.
    “We’re fine,” laughed Champagne.
    Susan smiled and turned back around taking in the sheer