Page 53 of Christmas at the Scottish Lodge
Greer glared.
Quinn, Jed, Adam and Kenna charged past them too, racing after Douglas as Effie gazed at them longingly before turning back to the guest, her shoulders rigid.
‘Why don’t you go and see what’s going on?’ Mairi suggested kindly, grabbing Scott’s arm before he decided to join the others. ‘We’ll look after Ms Abernathy and the other guests.’
Effie had only just recovered from the flu and Mairi didn’t want her set back by too much stress – and from the look on Greer’s face she was going to be difficult.
‘Aye, okay. But come and find me if you need anything,hennie.’ Effie shot her a grateful look before bearing for the kitchen.
‘It’s cold,’ Greer said, turning to Mairi and pretending to shiver, her grey eyes lit with annoyance. ‘I suppose the heating isn’t working either?’
‘I’m sure it’s only temporary,’ Mairi soothed. ‘Why don’t you go into the sitting room and we can bring you a mince pie and a hot drink while you’re waiting?’ Hopefully, the gas hob would still be operable if they used a match to light it, but the cooker, fridge, everything else was powered by electric. She ground her teeth.
‘Aye, I can light a fire for you,’ Scott offered, jumping in and indicating Greer should follow him.
‘Yes. We can make it really cosy in there and I’ll find some extra blankets. It’ll be quite the festive adventure,’ Mairi said, trying to sound positive. This was the last thing the lodge needed. It was the last thing Jed needed too. What if the power cut distracted him from performing well tomorrow, what would that mean for their future together?
She’d been so patient about things, but was Effie right? Was it past time for her to be demanding – should she insist they make their marriage official and tell everyone today? She pondered the question as Scott led Greer into the sitting room. Then she followed everyone else into the kitchen so she could make hot chocolate and locate the mince pies. She couldn’t warm them, but they tasted just as good cold.
‘I’m so sorry, lass,’ Douglas said to Effie, his voice grave as he came out of the large larder that housed the fuse box, looking pale.
‘The whole thing is completely burnt out,’ Jed said as he followed. Kenna and Quinn walked out too shaking their heads. ‘We’re not going to be able to fix it ourselves. We’re going to have to call an electrician. I’ll try to contact someone now,’ Jed said.
‘On Christmas day?’ Effie wailed. ‘There’s no chance of them coming today, lad. How am I going to cook a turkey with all the trimmings with no electricity?’ She looked devastated. ‘All the food is going to go to waste and Greer Abernathy will crucify us in her review.’ Her eyes filled with tears. ‘A yule without turkey isn’t a yule at all…’
‘There’s no use crying over it,’ Adam soothed, patting her awkwardly on the shoulder. ‘We should get organised. Let’s start by putting the food into containers and burying it in the snow. You can get the hob working, so perhaps you could make a festive stew or something else?’
‘Good idea,’ Kenna said. ‘I can help.’
‘You cook?’ Quinn asked suspiciously.
‘Aye. I represent a couple of chefs.’ She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘One of them wrote a book about a mushroom poisoner. How doyoufeel about fungi?’
‘Now, now,’ Effie said, chuckling.
‘My wife used to make a lovely stew with turkey. We had it every year.’ Douglas bent to peer into the oven, his silver snowsuit squeaking. ‘I know it’s partially cooked, but we could slice it and?—’
‘Aye,’ Effie said, her expression brightening. ‘I’ve got enough food to make something really unique.’ She kissed the fingers of one hand and splayed them like a chef. ‘We could have it with rice.’ She glanced around the kitchen and frowned. ‘Shame I don’t have anything to roast the potatoes in.’
‘I’ve got a few bits in the car, I could jerry rig something, it won’t take?—’
‘No!’ Everyone shouted in unison.
‘We’ll be fine with the rice, Douggie,’ Effie said, smiling. ‘Why don’t you and Quinn help Adam transfer all the cold and frozen food into containers so we can put it outside?’ She turned her attention to Mairi looking worried. ‘How’s Greer?’
She pulled a face. ‘She’s…’ Mairi cleared her throat. ‘As you’d expect. Scott’s building a fire for her now. I’m going to make her a hot drink?—’
‘Put a dash of whisky in it,’ Kenna suggested. ‘That should help to cheer her up.’
‘I need to find some blankets and candles,’ Mairi told them. ‘We need to be prepared for when it gets dark. None of the Christmas lights are working, so we can use candlelight to create a cosy atmosphere.’
‘Good thinking,hennie.’ Effie nodded and the strain around her eyes began to ease. ‘I’ve got a few boxes in the airing cupboard on the third floor and a ton of spare blankets packed away in there too.’
‘I’ll go now, if you can finish making the drink? While I’m there, I’ll check on Margo and the honeymooners.’ Although Mairi doubted the latter would even notice the power was out.
‘I’ll come with you,’ Quinn offered as Mairi made for the door.
‘She’s a grown woman,’ Kenna said darkly. ‘I’m sure she can find her own way. We need you to help with sorting the food. You said you’re experienced with burying bodies – so this will be a piece of cake.’
