Page 10 of Christmas at the Scottish Lodge
‘Wait!’ Effie ordered, grabbing the mop from his hand. ‘I want you to meet someone first. This is Mairi Fraser, she’s going to help out for a few days.’
The older man beamed and took Mairi’s hand before shaking it a couple of times. ‘Yes, yes, I’ve heard about you. Jed has some of your books in his bedroom. I noticed them when I was improving his heating last week.’
Effie made a whimpering sound.
‘He does?’ Mairi asked, as her heart skipped a beat.
‘Aye, of course he does, lass. He reads all of them,’ Effie said.
‘Really?’ Mairi checked, surprised. Wouldn’t her books just remind him of her? Why would he want to read them?
Effie turned to Douglas. ‘I’ll put the mop away; you get on with the polishing while I cook.’
‘Aye, aye.’ He gave her a goofy grin, before heading towards the kitchen. ‘Oh, I almost forgot.’ He swirled to face them again. ‘Someone called and booked into the lodge this morning – she’s arriving in two days. Or there might have been two guests, Ireally can’t remember now.’ He patted his pockets and searched his tool belt. ‘I wrote the name down somewhere.’ He shrugged. ‘I’m sure the piece of paper will turn up.’
Effie paled. ‘A woman booked in,’ she repeated slowly. ‘You don’t think it’s that hotel reviewer, do you?’ Her voice was strained.
‘Ach, I’ve no idea, lass.’ Douglas scratched his chin. ‘I’ve allocated her bedroom three. The shower is so much better in there now.’ He looked at her hopefully, like he was expecting a compliment or something.
‘Okay,’ Effie said, wincing. ‘Thanks.’
‘I’ll go and get the polish and cloths now.’ Douglas chuckled. ‘It won’t take long to get everything done.’ With that, he disappeared through the doorway.
Effie watched him go, before she turned to Mairi. ‘If the mystery reviewer has booked in and Rhona’s not here to help, we could be in trouble.’
‘I’ll be here, and we’ll have Douglas and Jed. I’m sure we can handle it together,’ Mairi soothed.
‘I’m not sure we can, lass. From what I heard, we’ll need an army to keep this woman happy.’ Effie pulled a face and glanced towards the kitchen. ‘I’d better check Douglas has found the polish, then I’ll make that soup.’ She sighed. ‘I was thinking pumpkin soup, shepherd’s pie and red velvet cake.’ Her face perked up.
‘Sounds wonderful.’ Mairi’s stomach grumbled. ‘While you’re here, I wanted to ask you a favour.’
Effie swung back. ‘Anything, lass. Follow me so we can talk.’ She smiled and Mairi realised she was wearing lipstick. The older woman rarely wore make-up.
‘Um…’ She decided not to comment on it and instead trailed after Effie into the kitchen and watched as she began to gatheringredients from the large fridge. Effie pulled a face when something started rattling in the broom cupboard.
‘I hope Douglas hasn’t got himself stuck,’ she muttered as she put onions and garlic on the counter. Then she peered at Mairi’s face. ‘You look peaky,hennie. I don’t want you getting sick too. You need to make time for fresh air.’ She moved closer and frowned. ‘Is that what you wanted to talk to me about, is everything okay?’ Jed’s aunt cocked her head, her eyes sharp. ‘How’s the love life? You young people.’ She shook her head. ‘Jed doesn’t go out enough either – there are no lasses on the horizon for him.’
Mairi frowned. Wasn’t he dating the chef?
Effie waggled a hand. ‘Tell all,’ she demanded.
‘Um, my love life is…well, everything’s good,’ Mairi said stiffly, thinking about her messages from Harry. He was definitely keen and hopefully in time she’d start to have feelings for him. ‘But you might be right about needing fresh air. I’ve been thinking about booking in for one of Jed’s beginner classes.’
Effie looked startled. ‘I thought you hated skiing, lass,’ she said. ‘Remember when you came here the first time. You were such a wee thing – what were you, nine?’ She went to grab a large saucepan from underneath the counter.
‘Eleven,’ Mairi corrected. She and Quinn had come with her parents for Christmas and she’d taken her first and last skiing lesson.
‘If I remember correctly –’ Effie’s forehead squeezed as she found a chopping board and a knife, ‘– you broke your ankle in two places and said you’d never ski again.’
‘I can be a little accident prone,’ Mairi agreed. ‘But that was a long time ago. I was thinking it might be time for me to try again. Jed got back on the mountain after his accident, so I want to do the same.’
She didn’t want to do anything of the kind. The idea of being out on skis made her feel sick. But Kenna was right. She was going to have to get Jed to have a conversation about the divorce. Convince him it was a good idea – and if he was teaching her to ski, then they’d have lots of opportunities to talk.
Effie gazed at her for a few moments looking thoughtful, and for a nanosecond, Mairi wondered if she knew far more than she was letting on. Then she suddenly smiled and nodded.
‘Sounds like a wonderful idea,hennie. Why don’t I get you booked on?’
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