Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
JAMIE
It’s been five days since Lewis dropped his bombshell about potentially closing the snug, and I’ve been racking my brains for ideas to save my wee bar. I’ve been taking the whole thing very seriously—so seriously I’ve resisted going back to season one, episode one of the Highland Legacy TV show. Why? Because if I do, I’ll probably end up bingeing the whole thing, and I’m trying to impress Lewis and Emily, not swap one time-sucking habit for another.
My phone buzzes.
SassyLassie
Good luck with your presentation!
LochNLoad
Aw, thanks! Not really a big deal though
Sass and I haven’t gamed much over the last few days, but we’ve chatted a bit instead, which is... fine? Except it hasn’t been as fun as usual because she’s ditched the banter about boss fights and secret kinks in favour of asking dull questions—like about my work. I’ve kept things vague, obviously. Who wants to chat about their job when they’re supposed to be relaxing? But she’s persistent. I told her I had some ideas to pitch to my brother just to get her off my back.
Is this her way of trying to make us “closer” somehow? No clue. Women are hard enough to figure out when you actually know them. When you’ve got no idea what they look like or even their real name? They’re complete enigmas.
Anyway, whatever, right now there’s no time to dwell on Sass because bigger things are at stake—like convincing Lewis and Emily not to close the snug.
I take a deep breath outside the door to the hotel office and straighten my shirt. Bloody hell, what’s wrong with me? Why am I worried about looking smart for these two? And, more importantly, why do I feel nervous? God, is this what happens when you care about something?
Well, screw that. I don’t have time for nerves. I need to show Lewis and Emily I mean business. It’s showtime.
I burst into the office with all the bravado of LochNLoad charging into battle. “Prepare to have your minds blown!”
Lewis glances up from his computer and arches an eyebrow. “Er, hi, Jamie. Nice to see you too.”
Emily sits beside him, one hand resting lightly on her neat baby bump. She smiles, amused but clearly also bracing herself for whatever is about to come out of my mouth.
“Well?” Lewis leans back in his chair. “What have you got for us?”
“Right.” I roll my shoulders and crack my knuckles for dramatic effect. “Picture this. It’s a scorching hot day in Bannock?—”
“Scorching hot? In Scotland?” Lewis cuts in instantly.
“Maybe let him get through more than two sentences before interrupting?” Emily suggests.
Lewis shrugs but waves me on like some benevolent laird giving me permission to continue. How magnanimous of him.
“It’s sunny,” I clarify with exaggerated patience. “Guys are wearing shorts; women are complaining about how it’s too hot. It happens every once in a while, believe it or not. Now, imagine you’re a tourist who’s just hiked up a mountain or maybe a local looking to catch up with mates after work. You’re parched. Desperate for a cold pint.” I lean forward as if sharing a great secret. “Do you really want to trudge into the dark, stuffy Pheasant?”
They exchange wary glances—the kind that says they expected some half-baked suggestion about the snug but not whatever tangent they think I’ve wandered off on. Before either of them can voice their doubts, I plough ahead.
“Don’t get me wrong,” I say quickly, holding up both hands like I’m pleading my case in court. “The Pheasant is great when it’s pissing down outside or blowing a gale. It’s charming—traditional—I’m not denying any of that. But when the sun finally decides to bless Scotland with its presence, do people really want to be cooped up in some old pub where natural light is practically outlawed? No, they want to be right here at the Bannock Hotel’s brand-new... drumroll, please...” Neither of them obliges. Tough crowd. “Beer garden!”
I throw both hands out like a magician finishing his trick. Ta-da! Sadly, there’s no applause, but Lewis leans forward slightly while Emily’s eyebrows lift in curiosity. At least they haven’t kicked me out yet.
“I thought you were going to talk about saving the snug,” Lewis says slowly.
“Aye, and I am!” I nod eagerly. “Just hear me out. The snug is brilliant, but it’s small. That’s literally why we call it the snug—it can only handle so many people at once. But if we convert part of the garden into an outdoor bar during summer? Boom! We double—nah, triple—our space.”
My enthusiasm snowballs faster than Lewis can chug a protein shake (and trust me, that man downs them fast).
“We’d pull in everyone craving a pint in the fresh air—locals, tourists, you name it—and once people get a taste for hanging out at the Bannock Hotel, they’ll hopefully keep coming back, even when the rain is coming sideways. That is how we make the snug busy. And it could bring in new crowds too, like hikers or cyclists in need of a pit stop. Oh, and families!”
“Families?” Lewis repeats sceptically.
“Aye, imagine a wee play area for kids so parents can relax with their pints without feeling guilty. Nothing massive, just a slide or some swings tucked into a corner somewhere. And ice cream! That’d be popular. We could stock locally made stuff. We could also add giant outdoor games—think Connect 4 or Jenga for kids and adults. Maybe string up fairy lights everywhere for the evenings. Oh! And fire pits—everyone seems obsessed with cosy vibes nowadays.”
Smiling, Emily scribbles hurried notes onto a pad, and that little boost sends me soaring even higher.
“And events!” I exclaim triumphantly. “Barbecues! Live music! Things to bring people through the doors.”
Lewis’s lips twitch into what might almost be approval. “You’ve really thought this through,” he admits grudgingly.
“You’re damn right I have. Turns out there’s more than just gaming strategies rattling around up here.” I tap my temple.
“Well, what do you think, Emily?” Lewis turns to her. “As our official event planner?”
She considers this. “We’d have to plan it carefully, of course. Wedding clients love using the garden for photos, and their guests enjoy mingling there after the ceremony with a glass of champagne in hand. Whatever we do would have to add to the garden’s charm, not detract from it. But honestly? This could totally work! The garden space is beautiful but it’s not being used to its full potential right now.”
“What about alcohol licensing for a beer garden?” Lewis asks cautiously.
Lucky for him—and thanks to ten minutes on Google—I’ve got that one covered too.
“We’d need an amended licence,” I tell him confidently. “But since we already serve champagne out there for weddings, it shouldn’t be too complicated.”
His sceptical expression softens further as he leans back in thought, but before he can say anything else, Elspeth pops her head around the door with her trademark knack for inserting herself into discussions no one invited her to.
“And what about me , eh?” she asks innocently before narrowing her eyes at Lewis in mock outrage. “Another meeting where my opinion doesn’t count?”
Emily stifles a laugh while Lewis lets out a long-suffering sigh, although there’s no mistaking the twinkle in his eye. “It’s not about missing you out,” he says diplomatically. “This doesn’t affect the restaurant—you’re running things perfectly there already! Guests are always raving about your food.”
Elspeth gives an emphatic nod. “Aye, and don’t you forget it. Although... I overheard something about a beer garden. Answer me this: who’s going to feed the hungry hordes if they show up expecting pints and pork chops, eh?”
Lewis blinks. “Oh, fair point. Well, take a seat, then. I suppose this meeting does involve you after all.”
We briefly fill Elspeth in on what we’ve discussed so far, and once she’s up to speed, she fixes me with a gaze that’s equal parts curiosity and mischief. “Look at you, Jamie, actually using that brain of yours for something useful. Maybe there’s more to you than just cheek and charm after all.”
“Aye,” Lewis agrees. “It’s amazing what happened when I finally gave him a boot up the backside. I should have tried it ages ago.”
I shoot him finger guns with zero shame because—let’s face it—he’s not wrong.
“Jamie, you do realise this would mean a lot more work for you , right?” Emily asks.
“Aye, I get that, but I want this to be my thing—my own wee project to sink my teeth into. Maybe I have been coasting a bit, but if you give me the green light, that changes. I’ll work hard at this because I know it could be something really special.”
Lewis snorts softly, though there’s no malice in it. “Didn’t think I’d live to see the day Jamie volunteered to take on extra responsibility.”
Emily nudges him. “Don’t scare him off now. But seriously, Jamie, if we say yes to this, are you sure you’re ready to take it on?”
“A hundred per cent. And you know what, there’s also a tasting event for local businesses coming up soon at the Glen Garve Distillery. I thought I’d pop along, chat to a few people, and see if I can’t work out some kind of deal with them that benefits both sides. We could maybe promote their tours more actively to our hotel guests if they can give us some kind of exclusive offering. The beer garden idea might just be the beginning. I may have more than one trick up my sleeve!”
“Another suggestion that’s not half bad,” Emily concedes.
“Not half bad?” I mock gasp. “Come on now—it’s at least three-quarters genius!”
“I’ll give you a quarter genius,” Emily deadpans, though a smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. She turns to Lewis and tilts her head thoughtfully. “I think this could really work.”
Lewis rubs his jaw as he mulls it over. Eventually he nods, not enthusiastically—let’s not get carried away—but it’s definitely a nod. “You might be onto something with this.”
“It’s like I always say, miracles do happen,” Elspeth offers.
“Thanks for that stunning vote of confidence, Elspeth.” I wink at her then fix Lewis and Emily with an expectant stare. “So... does that mean you’re actually signing off on this? Like, I can get started?”
“Just so we’re clear,” Lewis says, levelling me with a look, “before you start tearing up the garden, there are things you’ll need to do, like speak to the council about adjusting the alcohol licence. You’ll also need to work out the costs for everything you’ve just suggested. Keep Emily and me updated at every stage, and bear in mind that some of your grand plans might not make the cut if the budget doesn’t stretch. That being said... aye, I think this is worth exploring, so go ahead and take it to the next stage.”
“Yes!” I punch the air then wipe an imaginary tear from my eye. “I’d like to thank the academy, my family, and of course, my undeniable brilliance.”
“Any more shite jokes and I might change my mind,” Lewis warns.
“Understood!” I clap my hands together then rub them gleefully like an old-timey villain plotting dastardly deeds. “We’re really going to cause the Pheasant some problems, aren’t we?”
“Oi!” Lewis says. “We’re not setting out to deliberately stir trouble for any other businesses—that’s not how we do things in this town. We’re just trying to sort out an aspect of our own operation that isn’t performing as well as it should be.”
I scoff. “If that’s how you want to think of it, fine. Me, though? I like a bit of competition. I can’t wait to see Bryce and Maisie’s faces once they discover what we’ve got planned. But let’s keep it on the down-low for now, eh?” I tap my nose and wink.