Chapter 14
MAIRI
Mairi filled a second silver urn with peppermint mocha in preparation for afternoon tea and screwed on the lid before putting the kettle on again.
‘Everything okay?’ Douglas asked as he wandered into the kitchen carrying an empty soup bowl.
‘Great, fine. I’m getting things ready,’ Mairi said, darting a look at the back door again.
‘I’m just wondering where Jed is.’ He hadn’t returned since their conversation in the bedroom earlier.
Even Bear was worried. The dog was currently sitting beside Midnight in the reception area, looking out for him.
But Mairi was concerned he might not come back.
He didn’t seem inclined to deal with what was happening between them.
‘He promised he’d be here,’ Douglas told her, sniffing the air. ‘Those cakes smell amazing.’ His face lit up like a small boy’s. ‘I didn’t realise authors could cook up more than clever plots.’
‘Effie taught me.’ Mairi felt a burst of pride.
She’d always enjoyed being in the kitchen with the older woman – being at the lodge had offered a dose of normality she’d needed after her parents had died.
It was only now she was realising how important that had been – and how much she’d missed it.
Had it provided the security – the sense of place – she’d kept seeking from her disastrous relationships? ‘How is Effie?’ She nodded at the bowl.
‘Eating. I think my special soup might have done the trick. But she still has a temperature.’ His eyebrows knitted. ‘The lassie keeps insisting she has to get up and help, but I told her we’ve got everything under control.’
Mairi nodded. ‘I’ll check in on her when the guests have finished afternoon tea,’ she promised.
Hopefully, Greer wouldn’t delay her by asking for an interview again, or because she’d found something new to complain about.
The woman seemed to dislike everything about the lodge, which didn’t bode well, but Mairi wasn’t going to give up.
Greer Abernathy was going to give them a glowing review. Even if it was over Mairi’s dead body.
She heard the sound of the back door opening, then the inside door swung wide and Scott walked into the kitchen supporting Jed with one arm. Her heart leaped into her throat, and she sprinted across the kitchen. ‘What happened?’ she asked anxiously, as the boy assisted Jed into a chair.
‘Nothing, I’m fine,’ Jed growled as he pulled off his helmet and hat and she saw his skin was pale under the mussed hair. ‘The boy is making a fuss.’ He flapped a hand. ‘Stop hovering.’
Scott tugged off his helmet and unzipped his coat. ‘He’s just grumpy because his jump went wrong,’ he said cheerfully, ignoring Jed when he let out a low growling sound. ‘He might be hangry too.’ He grinned sniffing the air until he spotted the piles of cakes. ‘Result!’ He punched the air.
‘How did you get hurt?’ Mairi asked, fighting worry.
‘He was skiing Devil’s Run. His first run should have been a doozy, like one of the ones he used to do all the time,’ Scott said, clearly unaware that his words were grating on his hero who was shooting him daggers.
‘You should go,’ Jed ordered. ‘Before I ask Bear to bury you with his bones.’
Scott chuckled, his young face brightening.
‘He went so fast, just like when he was competing. I thought he was going to make it all the way down.’ He skimmed a hand in the air zipping it right and then left.
‘But something went wrong and he lost control.’ He slapped his palms together making Mairi flinch, bringing back memories she’d tried to forget.
‘He’s been through worse.’ The boy’s eyes sparkled.
‘His knee got a bit bashed, that’s all.’ He shrugged, looking unconcerned.
‘Turbo always said you have to “accept that pain is all part of the joy.”’
‘Aye, well, I’m discovering Turbo was an eejit.’ Jed winced.
‘You also said he was your better half,’ Scott shot back, amusement filling his young face.
‘You skied down Devil’s Run?’ Mairi asked before Jed could respond. She didn’t know whether to be impressed or horrified. From what Jed had said to her earlier, this was big news. Perhaps even the first step to reclaiming his talent? She just wasn’t sure where that left them…
‘Aye, part of the way.’ Jed sighed. He bent to unhook one of his boots and whimpered.
‘You should probably get that checked out.’ Mairi grabbed a bag of peas from the freezer and handed them to him.
‘Thanks,’ Jed said, applying it to his knee without looking at her.
‘You’re not going to be much help with afternoon tea,’ Douglas said. ‘I think it’ll just be you and me serving, lass.’ He turned to her.
‘I’ll help,’ Scott said eagerly, his attention swivelling back and forth before it landed back on the stack of mince pies and cakes. ‘I’m starving and I’m guessing it might mean I get extra goodies.’ He grinned cheekily. ‘Besides, that way Turbo will owe me. I’ll take lessons as payment.’
‘There will be no lessons. I can walk which means I can carry and serve,’ Jed grumbled as he attempted to get up, his face contorting with pain.
‘Not very well,’ Scott said, indicating he should sit. Watching as Jed slumped back into the chair, his expression weary.
‘My boy’s right. It might be better to rest that leg, lad.
Especially if you want to be ready for the Winter Wonder Ski Championships – they’re only six days away,’ Scott’s dad advised as he appeared behind them looking serious.
‘Sorry to interrupt, but I was looking for Scott.’ He gave his son an affectionate shoulder squeeze.
‘I’m a doctor, so I know what I’m talking about. ’
‘He does.’ Scott nodded enthusiastically.
‘I’d suggest rest and ice,’ Adam said. ‘I’ll keep you company, maybe sing you a song so you heal faster.’ He winked at Jed who went paler. ‘I’m looking forward to being served by my son for a change. I’m planning on getting used to it,’ he teased. ‘And I can’t wait to tell his mum.’
‘Da,’ Scott muttered, gritting his teeth.
‘How about you all move to the sitting room and we’ll serve you there?’ Douglas suggested, shooing them with his palms just as Midnight and Bear came scampering into the kitchen, yapping excitedly and wagging their tails when they spotted Jed.
‘They can’t be in here!’ Mairi yelped. Greer would have a fit. She might even call health and safety on them.
‘We can take them with us,’ Adam said, offering Jed an arm, which he grabbed, clearly keen to leave the madhouse behind.
Mairi watched as he limped from the room, leaning on the doctor without looking back.
‘Looks like my da has made a new friend,’ Scott said proudly. ‘He’s good at that.’ A few moments later, they heard the tinkle of piano keys. ‘That’s my da too,’ he said less enthusiastically. ‘He loves playing the piano and singing. Drives me and my mam mad.’
‘Sounds like he’s quite the talent,’ Douglas said, winking. ‘I used to drive my wife mad too.’ He gave the boy a sad smile. ‘Those are the best kinds of relationships. If you’re ever lucky enough to find one, hold on with both hands.’
Mairi sighed. If that were true, then she and Jed were meant for each other.
At least they should have been. How had it gone so spectacularly wrong – and how was she supposed to hold onto something that kept slipping through her fingers?
‘Shall we take everything into the–’ she began nodding at the door.
‘I thought afternoon tea was served at three o’clock prompt,’ Greer complained, stomping into the kitchen and wrinkling her nose before patting her palms over her starched black trousers.
‘I’ve been sitting in the dining room for the last half an hour and there’s no sign of any food or drinks.
’ She straightened her narrow shoulders and looked down her nose at them before her attention strayed to the cakes.
‘Aye, sorry. We thought it would be nice to serve it in the sitting room today,’ Douglas said, sweeping an arm towards the exit as he gathered up a couple of the flasks of peppermint mocha and indicated to Scott that he should bring the rest. ‘Mairi decorated in there earlier and it’s looking wonderfully festive.
Why don’t I show you where to go? We can scoop up any stray guests on the way. ’
‘Aye, I suppose,’ Greer grumbled. ‘There’d better not be any animals in there, though.’
Mairi pulled a face as Douglas expertly guided the older woman out of the kitchen, before starting to make a third flask of peppermint mocha.
When Mairi found her way into the sitting room ten minutes later, she saw Douglas and Scott had already made the guests comfortable and they were all holding festive cups, saucers and plates.
Greer was sitting beside the roaring fire glaring at the dogs who were lolling on the ground beside Jed and ignoring her.
He had one leg propped on a stool with the bag of peas lying over it.
Adam was at the grand piano. Mairi had placed a multitude of snowman figurines across the top of it earlier and they glittered as he played ‘Suspicious Minds’.
She wondered if the choice of song was a jovial prod at Greer whose frown seemed to have deepened since she’d been in the kitchen.
Maybe Adam had expected her to smile? Instead, the older woman tugged her notepad from her pocket and scribbled more notes, making Mairi want to scream.
‘These cakes are amazing,’ Scott gushed, shoving another two into his mouth while he tracked around the room offering refills of peppermint mocha.
‘They are delicious, lad,’ Margo agreed, carefully holding out her cup so he could refill it.
She glanced around the room, taking in the mantlepiece which Mairi had draped ivy over earlier.
‘It looks wonderful in here,’ she said kindly.
‘Very festive. I’ve been to a lot of hotels, but none of them have looked this cosy. ’
‘It took them long enough to get around to it,’ Greer complained, taking a small bite from a mince pie and grimacing before taking another.
Adam finished ‘Suspicious Minds’ and began to play, ‘You’re the Devil in Disguise’ as Scott placed a cake on the table beside him, then the boy went to sit with Margo.
‘I hate Elvis,’ Greer said loudly.
‘Ach, I love him. I used to dance to his songs with my wife. He was her favourite artist,’ Douglas confided as he stood swaying to the music. Mairi looked up and caught Jed’s eye, hoping he’d smile, but he frowned and looked away.
Adam began to sing, ‘You’re the devil in my pies…’
‘You’re getting the words wrong,’ Greer complained.
‘He does it on purpose,’ Scott muttered. ‘Mainly to see if anyone notices.’
‘I’m sure the King wouldn’t mind – he was my late husband’s favourite artist too,’ Margo told Douglas, her smile gentle. ‘We spent many evenings on the dance floor.’
‘Would you like a whirl, lassie?’ he asked, holding out an arm and the older woman grinned as she took it – then they both began to twirl.
When Mairi glanced across the room, Jed was looking at her again and her stomach fluttered when their eyes met.
They’d danced in their hotel room every night in the four days after they’d married.
Always to an Elvis melody because he was the one who’d married them, after all – and by the end of the song they’d usually been tangled together in bed.
She felt a stir of lust and watched him gulp before he looked away.
‘You should dance too,’ Scott said, somehow picking up on the tension between them.
‘I’m not sure it’s good for Jed’s knee.’ Adam took a quick break from botching the lyrics to offer some doctorly advice.
‘Aye.’ Jed nodded, but his mouth dipped.
Was he disappointed? Mairi shook her head – or was that just wistful thinking?
‘Ach, just one won’t hurt,’ the teenager pressed.
‘I’ve got a delivery,’ a man’s voice rang from reception, and they all turned to stare at the door.
‘I’ll get it,’ Scott jumped up and charged out of the room before anyone else could offer.
‘If you’re lucky it’ll be a Christmas tree,’ Greer said sharply. glancing around the room. ‘I notice there still isn’t one in here.’
‘I wonder if the room needs it, though?’ Margo said, thoughtfully tapping her fingertip on her chin. ‘I think it looks just right as it is. Anything more and it might look overdecorated. This place is cosy and warm without trying too hard. Don’t you think it’s lovely?’
Greer frowned.
Adam’s fingers faltered on the piano, and when Mairi looked over, she saw he was chuckling. ‘I like her,’ he mouthed.
‘The package is for you, Mairi, I think your Christmas has come early!’ Scott burst back in the room carrying an enormous brown teddy bear holding three floating balloons featuring shiny red hearts. Her stomach sank. She already knew who it was from.
‘Talk about over the top,’ Jed muttered as Scott handed the package to Mairi.
‘There’s a card.’ Scott bounced on his toes as Adam stopped playing and got up. Then he, Margo and Douglas crowded around.
‘Who’s it from, lass?’ Douglas asked.
‘Is it fan mail?’ Greer said and Mairi frowned – what an odd thing to say. She was going to ask more but then she spotted the card and plucked it from the ribbon that had been strung around the bear’s neck.
‘It says “Still Missing you, H XXX”.’ Scott read out the writing over her shoulder. ‘This H is stuck on you alright.’ He turned to her, his eyes wide. ‘Do you know who he is?’
‘Aye,’ Mairi said as her gaze met Jed’s again – he held it for a beat, before looking away.
She looked back at the card, feeling her insides knot. This isn’t what she wanted. Harry might think he loved her; he might want to make a commitment and offer her security. But for the first time in a long time, she realised that wasn’t enough…