Page 9 of Christmas at the Scottish Lodge
Mairi thought about the girlfriend Quinn had mentioned Jed was talking about and felt another twinge of jealousy. ‘During the day he’s on the slopes, teaching.’ She bit her lip.
‘So book a lesson,’ Kenna said reasonably.
Mairi pulled a face. ‘I’m not good with snow.’ Or slush, or ice – in fact she was allergic to anything cold – unless it had a shot of tequila in it. ‘I find it difficult to stay upright.’
‘Which means he’ll have to keep a special eye on you,’ her friend said cheerfully. ‘That sounds like the perfect solution to me…’
5
MAIRI
Mairi made her way down to the reception area later just as Jed’s aunt Effie came walking through the entrance of Holly Berry Lodge.
‘Did you see Rhona?’ Mairi asked, helping Effie to tug off her heavy winter coat and spraying glittery snowflakes onto the rug.
‘Aye, I went to cheer her up.’ Effie nodded, patting a hand on her bright red Christmas jumper. ‘She’s no better, poor lass. But we had a good blather, and I told her not to rush back to work.’
‘I’m worried you’re going to catch something from her,’ Mairi admitted. ‘This sounds like an awful wee bug.’
‘Don’t worry about me,hennie.’ Effie laughed. ‘I’m as strong as a mug of builder’s tea. I put my good health down to all those peppermint mochas, they’re filled with special ingredients guaranteed to keep you tip top.’ She rubbed her chest. ‘Besides, I need my regular dose of gossip. Somehow Rhona’s managed to keep her ear to the ground despite being sick.’ She grinned. ‘Apparently, there are a couple of puppies missing from the village shelter.’ Her voice lowered. ‘They escaped, poor wee bairns. I thought I might take a look for them later. It’s cold outside.’ She mimed shivering violently.
‘I can come with you,’ Mairi offered. Effie loved rescuing animals – which is why the lodge was full of them – and Mairi knew the older woman would search outside for hours. As if it had heard them talking, one of Effie’s adopted cats – a white one named Snowy – came prancing in from the sitting room.
‘Ach, I’ll be fine, lass.’ Effie scooped up the cat so she could tickle it under the chin. ‘I won’t go out on my own, Douglas will probably join me.’ She glanced around and narrowed her eyes. ‘If I can find him, that is. Did you have a good morning?’
‘Yes.’ Mairi nodded. ‘I finished decorating in here.’ She swept a hand towards the Christmas trees flanking the reception desk. They were covered in red and green baubles and white sparkly lights. ‘And I made some mince pies too.’
‘You are an angel, lass. There’s a lad staying with the appetite of a horse. I’ll introduce you later. Scott spends a lot of time on the slopes. Jed’s a particular hero of his.’ The older woman winked. ‘Not that my nephew will accept any adoration.’
‘Aye,’ Mairi murmured. Jed had never been comfortable with compliments, even from her. It was like he didn’t think he deserved them.
Effie’s forehead creased as she looked around, clearly noticing the surfaces for the first time. ‘I thought Douglas was supposed to polish in here. Where is he?’
‘I’m not sure.’ Mairi pulled a face. She still hadn’t met Effie’s wayward helper. ‘I was planning to tidy downstairs now.’ Despite the deadline pressure, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to write until she’d sorted out the divorce with Jed, so she might as well clean.
Effie paled. ‘Oh ye gods. I need to find Douglas.’ She twirled around. ‘He was talking about water pressure in the bedrooms last time we spoke; he could be doing anything.’ She grimaced. ‘Rhona helps to keep him focused; without her here, Douglas is…’ She pulled a face. ‘Since his wife died two years ago, he’sbecome obsessed with fixing things. I have to find him before it’s too late.’ She quickly hung her coat, then spun around when someone started singing ‘Return to Mender’ in the sitting room.
‘What’s that?’ Mairi asked, twirling around too. ‘I heard someone singing in the lodge earlier. Is that Douglas?’
‘Ach no, it’s Adam Miller, one of the guests – he’s Scott’s dad. They’re staying because his wife is working over Christmas,’ Effie confided. ‘Adam is obsessed with Elvis songs, but he doesn’t always get the words right.’ The singer was also dangerously out of tune. ‘I’ll introduce you later,’ the older woman promised as the voice faded and the singing stopped.
‘Thanks,’ Mairi said, feeling a sting of emotion. The last thing she needed was more reminders of her marriage to Jed. ‘Have you spoken to Jed today? Perhaps he could help out in the lodge more? Or at least keep an eye on Douglas.’ If he did, she’d be more likely to see him too.
Effie shook her head. ‘That lad’s got enough to do. He spends more time on the slopes than he does in bed. He’s working all hours; it’s like he can’t bring himself to stop.’ She looked worried. ‘He’s struggled since the accident.’
Mairi bit her lip. She knew that better than anyone.
‘What’s going on?’ A tall, lanky man, aged about seventy with a mop of frizzy white hair and a matching beard boomed as he marched into the reception area carrying a mop and a ladle. His hair looked wet and so did his shirt. A tool belt filled with implements hung on his hips and they all looked damp too.
‘Why are you holding a ladle, Douglas, and why are you so wet?’ Effie asked, going to pluck it from his hand.
He stared at the large spoon, looking surprised. ‘I just finished improving the shower in bedroom three.’ He winced. ‘Which was supposed to be a surprise. The job was a little soggier than expected.’ He brushed a hand over his shoulder which wassopping wet. ‘You must try it out later and let me know what you think.’
Effie made a huffing sound and the older man looked disappointed. ‘Then I was going to make soup, but I remembered the squirrels in the garden needed feeding, and Shadow was starving too.’ His forehead marred with lines.
‘That one’s always hungry,’ Effie grumbled. ‘I fed him when I got up. I’ve told you not to pay any attention to him.’ She shook her head. ‘Polishing was on your list of jobs this morning, Douglas,’ she said sternly. ‘Not fixing showers, feeding cats and squirrels or making soup.’
‘Ah yes, yes.’ He waggled his left hand, then looked surprised when he noticed the mop. ‘I’ll do that now.’ He turned to face the door that led to the sitting room. ‘Give me a minute so I can put this away.’
