Chapter 24
MAIRI
‘My lamp went out; my printer won’t work and my computer’s stopped charging!’ Greer Abernathy was standing in reception with her fists clenched as everyone rushed in through the lodge’s entrance. ‘It’s very important that I have enough battery life. I’ve got writing to do!’
‘Aye, lass, I’m so sorry but we have a… slight technical hitch with the power.
’ Effie stopped and cleared her throat, eyeing Douglas as he raced into the kitchen like a silver flash heading to where the fuse box was located.
‘It’ll only take a wee moment to get it sorted,’ she promised, her voice wavering. ‘A very Merry Yule to you by the way.’
Greer glared.
Quinn, Jed, Adam and Kenna charged past them too, racing after Douglas as Effie gazed at them longingly before turning back to the guest, her shoulders rigid.
‘Why don’t you go and see what’s going on?’ Mairi suggested kindly, grabbing Scott’s arm before he decided to join the others. ‘We’ll look after Ms Abernathy and the other guests.’
Effie had only just recovered from the flu and Mairi didn’t want her set back by too much stress – and from the look on Greer’s face she was going to be difficult.
‘Aye, okay. But come and find me if you need anything, hennie.’ Effie shot her a grateful look before bearing for the kitchen.
‘It’s cold,’ Greer said, turning to Mairi and pretending to shiver, her grey eyes lit with annoyance. ‘I suppose the heating isn’t working either?’
‘I’m sure it’s only temporary,’ Mairi soothed.
‘Why don’t you go into the sitting room and we can bring you a mince pie and a hot drink while you’re waiting?
’ Hopefully, the gas hob would still be operable if they used a match to light it, but the cooker, fridge, everything else was powered by electric. She ground her teeth.
‘Aye, I can light a fire for you,’ Scott offered, jumping in and indicating Greer should follow him.
‘Yes. We can make it really cosy in there and I’ll find some extra blankets.
It’ll be quite the festive adventure,’ Mairi said, trying to sound positive.
This was the last thing the lodge needed.
It was the last thing Jed needed too. What if the power cut distracted him from performing well tomorrow, what would that mean for their future together?
She’d been so patient about things, but was Effie right?
Was it past time for her to be demanding – should she insist they make their marriage official and tell everyone today?
She pondered the question as Scott led Greer into the sitting room.
Then she followed everyone else into the kitchen so she could make hot chocolate and locate the mince pies.
She couldn’t warm them, but they tasted just as good cold.
‘I’m so sorry, lass,’ Douglas said to Effie, his voice grave as he came out of the large larder that housed the fuse box, looking pale.
‘The whole thing is completely burnt out,’ Jed said as he followed. Kenna and Quinn walked out too shaking their heads. ‘We’re not going to be able to fix it ourselves. We’re going to have to call an electrician. I’ll try to contact someone now,’ Jed said.
‘On Christmas day?’ Effie wailed. ‘There’s no chance of them coming today, lad.
How am I going to cook a turkey with all the trimmings with no electricity?
’ She looked devastated. ‘All the food is going to go to waste and Greer Abernathy will crucify us in her review.’ Her eyes filled with tears.
‘A yule without turkey isn’t a yule at all… ’
‘There’s no use crying over it,’ Adam soothed, patting her awkwardly on the shoulder. ‘We should get organised. Let’s start by putting the food into containers and burying it in the snow. You can get the hob working, so perhaps you could make a festive stew or something else?’
‘Good idea,’ Kenna said. ‘I can help.’
‘You cook?’ Quinn asked suspiciously.
‘Aye. I represent a couple of chefs.’ She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘One of them wrote a book about a mushroom poisoner. How do you feel about fungi?’
‘Now, now,’ Effie said, chuckling.
‘My wife used to make a lovely stew with turkey. We had it every year.’ Douglas bent to peer into the oven, his silver snowsuit squeaking. ‘I know it’s partially cooked, but we could slice it and—’
‘Aye,’ Effie said, her expression brightening. ‘I’ve got enough food to make something really unique.’ She kissed the fingers of one hand and splayed them like a chef. ‘We could have it with rice.’ She glanced around the kitchen and frowned. ‘Shame I don’t have anything to roast the potatoes in.’
‘I’ve got a few bits in the car, I could jerry rig something, it won’t take—’
‘No!’ Everyone shouted in unison.
‘We’ll be fine with the rice, Douggie,’ Effie said, smiling. ‘Why don’t you and Quinn help Adam transfer all the cold and frozen food into containers so we can put it outside?’ She turned her attention to Mairi looking worried. ‘How’s Greer?’
She pulled a face. ‘She’s…’ Mairi cleared her throat. ‘As you’d expect. Scott’s building a fire for her now. I’m going to make her a hot drink—’
‘Put a dash of whisky in it,’ Kenna suggested. ‘That should help to cheer her up.’
‘I need to find some blankets and candles,’ Mairi told them. ‘We need to be prepared for when it gets dark. None of the Christmas lights are working, so we can use candlelight to create a cosy atmosphere.’
‘Good thinking, hennie.’ Effie nodded and the strain around her eyes began to ease. ‘I’ve got a few boxes in the airing cupboard on the third floor and a ton of spare blankets packed away in there too.’
‘I’ll go now, if you can finish making the drink? While I’m there, I’ll check on Margo and the honeymooners.’ Although Mairi doubted the latter would even notice the power was out.
‘I’ll come with you,’ Quinn offered as Mairi made for the door.
‘She’s a grown woman,’ Kenna said darkly. ‘I’m sure she can find her own way. We need you to help with sorting the food. You said you’re experienced with burying bodies – so this will be a piece of cake.’
Her brother huffed and for a minute Mairi thought he’d refuse. But then he shrugged. ‘Aye. I suppose you can handle it,’ he said to Mairi, before following Kenna back into the larder.
A soft glow from the stash of candles Mairi had found flickered around the sitting room creating a warm and tranquil ambiance. She stood at the entrance, watching the guests for a moment, feeling content. It had been a long time since she’d felt such a sense of belonging.
They’d eaten stew earlier in the dining room wrapped in blankets and it had been a surprisingly fun affair.
Adam had insisted on singing during most of the meal, Douglas had invented a game using the insides of the used crackers.
Even Greer had cracked a smile – although Mairi wasn’t sure if that was due to happiness or the two hot toddies she’d consumed.
Margo – who’d emerged from her bedroom late morning with two of the cats, had revelled in the Christmas frolics.
The woman was so easy to be around and just seemed happy being in the company of Effie’s pets.
Now they were all enjoying mince pies and drinks around the fire. Adam was playing piano and Greer was making copious notes in her dreaded pad. Even Kenna and Quinn had called a truce so weren’t arguing.
‘Shall we do presents?’ Effie asked, suddenly jumping up from her chair.
‘I haven’t had a chance to buy anything, but I baked you all a special cupcake last night.
’ She rushed from the sitting room without waiting for anyone to respond and returned moments later, carrying a large tray filled with cakes and a handful of festive napkins.
‘This is for you,’ she said to Mairi, angling the tray so the cupcake that had been iced and decorated with a picture of a romance novel was closest to her.
‘Thank you, that’s so pretty,’ Mairi said, taking a bite, watching as the older woman headed for Jed. His cupcake had an iced image of a trophy on it.
‘I’m sure it’s the first of many more,’ she said as he took it and nodded, his eyes meeting Mairi’s across the room.
Effie continued to deliver the cakes. Adam’s was decked with Elvis, Scott’s had a vacuum cleaner which made him laugh, Margo’s had multiple cats on it, Greer’s included a notepad, Quinn’s had a hero cape and Kenna’s, a manuscript.
When Effie had finished dishing them out, there was one left and she took it to Douglas.
He chuckled when he saw the tools and stood so he could give her a kiss on the cheek.
‘I’ve got something too, I just need to get it,’ Quinn said before heading for the hallway.
‘It’s probably a nanny cam kit,’ Kenna said wryly.
‘I’ve a gift for you too, Effie,’ Douglas said, whipping a small parcel from where he’d been keeping it by his feet. ‘I made it.’
Effie paled. ‘Oh Douggie, I wonder if that’s a good idea. I appreciate all your efforts, but…’
‘Just open it, lassie,’ he said, watching patiently as she undid the wrapping paper to reveal a framed picture with photos of all of her stray pets. ‘This means you can keep them with you wherever you are.’ He blinked. ‘And best of all, it works without any electricity at all.’
‘Ach, lad, it’s perfect,’ Effie said, hugging it to her chest before leaning in to give him a kiss on the lips, making the older man flush just as Quinn returned clutching three packages. He handed one to Jed, one to Effie and the other to Mairi.
‘It’s on a similar theme,’ he said, nodding at Effie’s frame.
Then he watched, looking embarrassed as they all unwrapped their gifts.
Mairi gazed at the silver frame with the picture of her, Quinn and Jed hugging in the centre.
It was from three years ago, and she could still remember the sheer joy of having Jed’s arm around her shoulder, of how much she’d wanted to tell him how she felt.