Chapter 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’s become 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 was sopping 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.’
‘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, I really 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 gather ingredients 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?’