Summary

December 29 opens with Hugo at a ski lodge in the Alps with several of his friends, including Rufus Chetwynd-Pitt, Olly Quinn, and Dominic Fitzsimmons. Rufus and Hugo race down the mountain. Hugo knows he won't win but knows this victory will make Rufus more susceptible to losing at games of chance later in the day. Hugo takes a serious fall and Holly Sykes, who works at a local bar, helps him up but refuses further advances. At the bar later, Olly announces that Ness broke up with him and the four men discuss possible reasons, including that she has another boyfriend. Hugo announces that he is “immune” to love and has never been in love.

Hugo leaves a glove at the bar on purpose then claims to have left it accidentally and...