Page 55 of Christmas at the Scottish Lodge
‘Maybe you should?’ Effie said, her tone conciliary.
Kenna frowned, but began to unwrap it and Quinn went to hover behind, perhaps so he could protect Kenna if the gift turned out to be something sinister. ‘An unsolicited manuscript,’ Kenna said finally, letting out a long breath. ‘What every agent dreams of getting.’ Her tone was wry.
‘It’smymanuscript and it’s going to be a bestseller,’ Greer said proudly. ‘I’ve been working on it for a long time. It’s the story of a hotel that’s about to go out of business. I made some tweaks since staying here.’ She let her gaze slowly circle the room, her meaning clear. ‘There are some interesting characters and when you read it, you can tell me what you think. I’m looking for an agent. My last one decided we should part ways.’ Her mouth pinched. ‘She said I was difficult to work with.’
‘Imagine that,’ Kenna said, folding the white paper and placing it on the top of the pages before putting the gift on a nearby table.
‘So…you’re not a hotel reviewer?’ Effie asked tentatively.
‘Of course I’m not.’ Greer frowned. ‘Wherever did you get that idea?’ She shook her head. ‘It’s good for you that I’m not, because I’d have given you a one star. It’s been nothing but stray animals, orgies and power cuts!’ She pointed to the manuscript. ‘I’m a writer. Although, I haven’t had anything published for a couple of years.’ She picked a piece of black fur from her skirt and frowned before dropping it on the floor. ‘I think this book will do really well with the right representation.’
‘So, who’s the mystery reviewer?’ Effie looked around the room, her eyes narrowing. ‘I’m sure someone was supposed to be coming to the lodge?’
‘Maybe she went to another hotel, lass,’ Douglas said, and the rest of the guests nodded in agreement. Mairi looked around the sitting room, taking a moment to study each guest properly. When her gaze rested on Margo, the older woman met her eyes for a moment – then she flushed and looked away.
Mairi stared at the picture Quinn had given her as she waited for the kettle to boil. She’d offered to make hot drinks so she could escape the sitting room and have a few moments alone. Her stomach churned as she took in the photo, imagining how upset he was going to be when he found out she and Jed had been lying.
She’d known all along that he’d be annoyed, but until this moment she hadn’t appreciated how hurt he’d feel. She heard the sound of footsteps behind her and felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle.
‘It was a sweet gesture,’ Jed said quietly, coming to stand beside her, the same framed photo clutched in his large hands.
‘We’ve got to tell him tomorrow,’ Mairi said without looking at him. ‘I can’t lie to him anymore.’
‘I’ve told you,’ Jed said quietly. ‘If I win or place well, everyone’s going to know. I promise.’
‘And if you don’t?’ Mairi asked, turning to face him, feeling a hard jolt in her chest when he gazed down at her. She could see love in his eyes, could feel the emotion coming off him in waves. But it wasn’t enough. Not anymore.
His lips twisted. ‘If the race doesn’t go well, then I’ll just keep trying until it does. There’s another competition in February,I’ve already entered.’ He reached out a hand to cup her cheek, but she batted it away as her chest contracted.
‘I’m not going to wait past tomorrow,’ she said, her voice tight, remembering what Effie had said to her in the kitchen. It was time to demand and insist, to tell Jed exactly what she needed and risk everything. ‘I’ll wait until the competition’s over, but I’m sorry, Jed, if we don’t tell my brother that we’re married afterwards, I’m going to want that divorce.’
With a heavy heart, she grabbed the picture from the counter and left.
25
JED
26 December
Park Rat News
Is Turbo about to make a comeback?
Keep your visors peeled on the
Aberlinnie Winter Wonder Ski Championships
Jed paced around his bedroom trying to ignore the tension knotting his shoulders. He’d tried a mindfulness practice when he’d woken, hoping it would help him clear his head in preparation for an optimum performance on the slope. Or at least one that didn’t involve him making a complete fool of himself. But stress had rewired his brain and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop thinking about the accident. His whole body was vibrating with anxiety and the belief that it was going to happen again and?—
His mobile started to buzz on his nightstand and he went to pick it up, pausing momentarily when he saw his father’s face frowning on the screen. Boyd hadn’t called him in months. He’d only communicated via text, which added up to a few sharpreminders about his debt and Jed’s responsibility to put things right.
‘Da,’ he said gruffly as he picked up, quickly unplugging the phone from the charger. His head felt woolly, despite the fact that he’d drunk nothing but peppermint mocha and water for days.
‘Are you ready?’ Boyd asked sharply. ‘For the championships today.’ Jed almost laughed as he clarified – as if there was some other life-altering event on the horizon.
‘Aye,’ Jed lied, pacing to the window so he could stare at the glittering mountains in the distance. He knew exactly where Devil’s Run was located from here, could imagine the teams of volunteers checking the slopes now, ensuring everything was ready for the championships. It wasn’t a huge affair, but it attracted attention. Especially when one of alpine skiing’s most talked about failures was about to compete for the first time in almost a year. Ski enthusiasts, journalists, gawkers and a few real fans were probably heading there now, hoping for a spectacle.
Jed wasn’t sure exactly what kind he was going to deliver. He only knew it was going to be life-changing.
