Page 4 of Can I Tell You Something?
My account grew a lot this year after a few of my audios went viral on booktok. Most voice actors choose to stay anonymous, but I had nothing to lose by showing my face. To be honest, it’s an easy way to promote my work that doesn’t require hours of making graphics and videos.
“Well, either way, she wants you.”
I fish my headphones and sleep mask out of my bag. “Shut up and finish your rum.”
Chapter 3
Hannah
Thisisthelife.My happy place.
Stretched out on the chaise longue in front of floor to ceiling windows, my body wrapped in cosy plaid pyjamas and fluffy socks, underneath an old quilt my Grandma made before I was born.
This is my favourite part of the house, my little quiet corner where I can keep to myself, but still be near the action.
Our chalet is split across three floors. The ground level is mostly taken up by the garage, but also houses a boot room, storage, and a small sauna. The stairs to the middle floor open up into the living area with a decent sized kitchen to the left, and a long dining table in front of the wall of windows that lead to the balcony. Outside are a few sun loungers where we get to enjoy the best view in the world.
The far wall is taken up by a huge stone fireplace surrounded by a comfy sofa and armchairs. In the corner are stairs leading to four bedrooms, one with an en-suite, and the others sharing a bathroom at the other end of the hall.
I showered when I got here, pulled my hair up into a bun, and slathered my favourite rescue mask over my face. In the kitchen, Dad is prepping dinner and listening to jazz, while Mum turns to a prune in the hot tub down on ground level.
Outside the window, snow is blanketing everything in white, but in here the fire is roaring. I have a large glass of red wine, my half-eaten box of sugar cookies, and a new romance novel to crack into. And most importantly, no work for two weeks.
It simply cannot get better than this.
“Shall I bring you a cheese plate, Hannah?” Dad calls from the kitchen door.
OK, I guess it can get better.
“Yes, please.” I stretch a little more, loosening into myself. It’s good to be back.
Dad appears a few minutes later and I sit up to receive his offering; cheese, olives, cured meats, fresh bread. He perches at the end of the chaise.
“Need a top up?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
“What are you reading?” He reaches out to where I’ve rested it on my lap but I grab it first and tuck it down by my side.
“Oh, just some chick lit rubbish I picked up at the airport.” I wince at the lie. For one, there’s nothing wrong with chick lit, even if the label is outdated and derogatory. And secondly, the book I’m hiding is at the steamier end of the romance scale, a college romance about a basketball player and his coach’s daughter. So far, so filthy, just the way I like it. But my dad doesn’t need to know that.
“Well, I’m glad to see you taking a break, kiddo. I know how hard you’ve been working, but you need to remember play is important too. You think you’ll be OK just hanging out with us oldies this Christmas?”
“Of course,” I say, popping an olive in my mouth. “What about you, do you think you’ll have time for a proper break this year?”
Dad is a workaholic, and though he’s here with us physically, mentally he’s terrible at switching off. He owns the media and entertainment law firm I work for, and closely oversees our booming client list. I’ve seen him negotiate contracts on a chairlift, and dictate legal responses over the phone from a slopeside bar during après ski.
It’s been this way for as long as I can remember. Dad works and Mum socialises, but they’re happy and healthy and that’s all that matters.
“I’ve told the office I’m truly off grid this year, so barring any clients getting themselves into a mess, me and Mum are all yours. I know you’re missing your brother, but that doesn’t mean the three of us can’t have fun. Race to the bottom of the Grizzly run in the morning? Loser buys thechocolat chaud.”
“That sounds great,” I say, knowing full well he’ll let me win.
“OK, kiddo. I’ll let you get back to your book. Carbonara for dinner in a bit.”
Seriously, it cannot get better than this.
Mac'n'Please
