The Chateau. Karen Aldous

in his last year at school. We used to visit my grandparents though. They lived in the centre of Clarens,’ she told him as they strode past a covered swimming pool and towards another wrought-iron gate that led out to the lake path.

      ‘I’m surprised we haven’t met before now.’

      ‘Perhaps we have.’

      ‘Mmm, possible. I did go to school in England. St Edwards in Oxford,’ he said.

      ‘Oh, Teddie’s.’ Gina gave a nod. ‘I know a few guys from there. Richard Branson’s daughter was the very first female head prefect or something.’

      Ollie unlocked the gate. ‘Yes, girls are quite a recent phenomenon for St Edwards.’

      ‘Such a shame to be locked up in Oxford when you’ve had all this around you,’ Gina said, stepping out on to the path and into immediate warmth. ‘This quayside is such a suntrap.’

      ‘I liked Oxford, it’s a beautiful city. And it has the Thames.’

      ‘To be honest, as I recall, I’ve only ever been there once.’

      They strolled in the direction of Territet, another small community the other side of the lake, east of Montreux.

      Gina couldn’t forget her problems but she could blot them out just for an hour. Even Ollie seemed quite personable right now. She told him how she had started her business and about the London property market. She had to admit, his London site sounded nearly as exciting as the Swiss one and could possibly be months away from completion rather than the years she had imagined.

      She spotted the boards of the building site as they turned a bend in the path towards the Château de Chillon. She gasped at the view. It was quieter in this part of the lake but equally, if not more, stunning. Certainly the château added romance. She also noted the vines beside the site, heavy with their last dark berried canopy, lined southerly along the relatively small terrace.

      He unlocked the entrance. A makeshift lock securing the boards as there were still evidence of walling and iron railings which Gina thought seemed to also belong to the vineyard.

      ‘So, welcome to Château View Villas,’ Ollie announced as she stepped over the boarding threshold and onto piles of uneven dirt and debris.

      ‘Lucky, I came prepared,’ she said, pointing to her flat mules. Then glancing up at the front first villa, angled as the first of a crescent, a loud breath escaped her. ‘Wow! That’s stunning.’

      ‘Thanks. Let me show you,’ he said, taking her hand and leading her across the treacherous terrain. ‘This one and villa six are reserved. They all have lake views because of the way the crescent is laid out and the ground is terraced.’ His voice rang with excitement. ‘I can’t tell you how amazed I am with this layout. The architect did a great job at getting them all in.’

      ‘Well, yes, you’d be a disappointed customer if you didn’t get that outlook. And, these on this side will also have the bonus of that Château view,’ she said, twisting herself to look back. Her foot slid on protruding bricks and she almost shot headfirst into the mud.

      ‘Woah!’ she cried.

      Instinctively, Ollie reached out, catching her arm pulling her into his torso. Finding her footing, she peered up to him. Simultaneously his hand slid around her waist, steadying her. Their eyes locked together while the tenderness of his hand on her waist sent a tremor of pleasure quaking inside her; striking at every nerve. Max had never evoked such a sensual reaction in her. Ollie then lifted her over a mound of debris and she could feel his breath hot on her neck as his lips brushed close. He held her there for a few seconds before gently lowering her on safe ground.

      ‘Thank you,’ she said, watching a hunger in his eyes not unlike her own. ‘Can we go in?’ she asked, rapidly diverting her attention, and possibly his.

      ‘Yes, but take my hand until we reach the building, just in case you stumble again. I rather enjoyed that.’

      Flustered, Gina wiped her brow with one hand while clasping Ollie’s palm with the other and was led to the only completed villa. She looked in awe at the sight before her. The double storey villa contained two pitched roofs either side of the flat-roofed central crescent-shaped area containing large bowed fold-back doors. She could imagine them opening out onto a wide curved terrace wrapped around the front of the building. The arched doors on the end buildings also led to the terrace with the upper floors having overhanging balconies dressed with wrought-iron balustrades. Oh, how gorgeous would that be, she chimed to herself. She envisioned herself with Ollie, slouching in his arms on the balcony, sipping wine and relishing the exquisiteness of the lake.

      As they negotiated the rubble to the front entrance he kept a tight grip on her hand. Passing her a voracious smile, Ollie unlocked the door. He offered Gina a hand up the elevated entrance. She leaned in to his hand.

      ‘Yes, sorry, a bit of work to do on the ground works and landscaping,’ Ollie said, breaking her trance. ‘But it’s due to start in two days. They’ll be a pool in front of this one, hence, the huge hole dug out there.’

      He led her around, room by empty room, providing details as they went. Her mind whirled when they got to the bedroom and at the views. She fought desperately to embed the details in her head. The bathrooms and the kitchen were almost furnished, their quality evident. A further kitchen garden overlooked the pool area. Mentally, she kept a map of the house to relay to clients.

      ‘Very impressive,’ she told Ollie.

      Ollie locked the door and helped her down back on to the ground. As she peered around the site, she shook her head at the size and considered its value alone.

      ‘How did you manage to get hold of such a prime site? The plot alone must be worth a fortune.’

      ‘Ah,’ he grimaced, cowering his head. ‘I was the lucky benefactor.’

      ‘You inherited all this?’ she asked as they walked through to the front of the villa. Gina slowed, admiring the unpainted frontage and imagined the finish.

      ‘Yes. Well, it was a commercial site, a goods yard, if you like. It belonged to my great-grandfather who’d acquired it when land was cheap and he then passed it to my grandfather. I believe some sort of machinery was manufactured here long ago and weapons exported during the war. I think it was last used for storing timber. Anyway, we only leased out the land. I demolished two warehouses.’

      ‘That’s fantastic. So, is it just you developing these?’

      ‘Yes. Originally, I did go into business with my father. He’s a property developer. I learnt much of it from him but he wanted me to start making my own way. Insisted I took this site on as a start. Well, as there was very little outlay, if I’m sensible enough, this should set me up for life.’

      ‘I should say so,’ Gina breezed, raising her eyebrows. ‘Anyway, I’d better get back to my mum.’

      ‘Is she OK?’ he asked, taking her hand again and leading her back to the boarding.

      Gina lowered her eyes, pursing her lips. ‘Yes, I think so. She and Dad are going through a difficult time. I’ve left her asleep.’

      ‘I’m sorry. I hope it rights itself soon. For all your sakes.’ He sounded concerned. ‘My parents went through a difficult patch when I was younger. It really messed with my head. Just call me if you want to chat.’

      They walked through the gate then Ollie locked up.

      Gina scanned her eyes over the lake, the cloud had lifted and the sun streamed across resting on her skin. As Ollie stepped down beside her, a sharp chill surrounded her and something leaned into her the opposite side.

      ‘Phew.’ She jumped, stroking her arm and searching around. Something or someone was again making their presence apparent.

      ‘Are you OK?’ he asked.

      ‘Mmm, yes, fine,’ she lied. ‘A fly, or something.’

      They