19

Back at the hotel Liv made a cup of tea and went through to the library where the men had already got the tree up and were adjusting it in the base.

‘Chuffing heck. Is that the same tree?’ asked Liv scanning the giant fir up and down. ‘Did that grow like six feet between the woods and here?’ The tree, which had seemed dwarfed by its peers in the woodland, now looked huge as it reached almost to the high ceiling and filled the bay window. ‘It is a Griswold tree,’ she said and then remembered the earlier conversation. ‘I just mean—’

‘I loved that film,’ said Robbie, sticking his head from underneath the branches. ‘Absolute Christmas classic. I must dig it out this year.’

‘Thank you, Robbie,’ said Liv, feeling vindicated. ‘Please can you strap Fraser and Effie to a chair and make them watch it too, because they’ve not seen it.’

‘Restraining people without consent is against the law—’

‘It’s okay,’ said Fraser. ‘She didn’t mean literally. And I would like to watch it.’ There was a quick glance in Liv’s direction. Was the tide changing with Fraser Douglas? Liv was still very much on her guard.

Effie hugged herself as she grinned at the tree. ‘It’s so pretty. All it needs is a sprinkle of reindeer dust.’

‘What would that be exactly? Deer dandruff?’ asked Liv. Effie shook her head at her.

Robbie had set a roaring fire in the library and Liv was starting to defrost while she gave Jock’O a tummy rub. The mission to make the guests enjoy themselves was taking shape. Effie invited them all downstairs with the lure of Drambuie laced coffees and presented them with the box of ornaments she’d discovered.

Dolly beckoned Fraser and the others out into the hallway, leaving the guests in the library. For once she didn’t have Jock’O on her lap; he’d been replaced by a radio and the sound of someone speaking was a little distracting. ‘Listen to this,’ she said, turning up the volume. A radio presenter with a thick Scottish accent was enthusing about how the snow was bringing people together. He was finishing a story about a rural community who were delivering food packages by tractor. ‘And now the story I was teasing you about. I have Hamish MacNeish…’ Dolly grumbled something at the surname. Fraser gave an imperceptible shake of his head which Liv took as ‘Don’t ask.’ So she didn’t. The radio host continued. ‘And he is live now from The Grog and Scran pub. Hello, Hamish, I understand you’ve taken in some stranded travellers?’

The noise level changed when Hamish came on and it sounded like a full-scale party was underway. ‘Aye. It’s like Hogmanay has come early. We rescued eight poor folk from the terrible weather. Some were trapped in their cars and we brought them here. It’s a snow-in but we have food and beer, so everyone is happy.’

‘That’s Scottish hospitality right there. Can we speak to one of the guests please, Hamish?’

‘Sure thing.’

‘Hiya,’ came a female voice.

‘You’re live on the radio. Can you tell me a little about your experience?’

‘OMG. We are all getting on so well. When our car conked out and ended up in a snowdrift little did we know we would all be having the time of our lives. I have met people here at the Grog and Scran that I know will be friends for life.’

Dolly turned the sound back down. ‘The presenter wants people who are in a similar position to phone in. What do you think?’

‘Could be good PR,’ said Liv. ‘The Grog and Scran just got a good few mentions in just a couple of minutes.’

Fraser was looking sceptical. ‘It’s not exactly a party here though.’

He pushed the library door gently open and they all surreptitiously peered inside. Shanie was sitting on the rug with Jock’O, mug in one hand and pointlessly waving her phone in the other, while Aaron and Kacey were diligently placing baubles on the tree. Aaron looked a bit precarious on a chair as he reached for the higher spots and Kacey looked on in awe, her pride in the smallest of her new husband’s abilities very apparent. It was a picture-perfect scene.

‘I’m going to ring in,’ said Dolly decisively.

After a few minutes Dolly was on hold to the radio station and the excitement in the hallway was palpable. She put her hand over the receiver. ‘They’re putting me through to the host,’ she whispered.

Effie was bouncing on her heels. She gripped Liv’s hand. ‘We’re going to be famous,’ she whispered in her ear. Liv smiled at Effie’s endless enthusiasm.

Fraser was chewing at a hangnail and Robbie had wandered off. Dolly’s eyes suddenly widened. ‘Hello, Gordon, this is Dolly Douglas,’ she said, her voice a little stilted. ‘Aye, we’re here at Bonnie Scott’s restaurant, part of the Lochy House Hotel, and we have four stranded people with us. We’ve given them shelter and top-class food from locally renowned chef Fraser Douglas.

‘Right now they are drinking Drambuie coffees and decorating a local fir that has been felled in their honour,’ said Dolly.

She’s laying it on thick, thought Liv.

‘Of course you can speak to them. I’ll just—’

But Dolly was interrupted by all hell breaking loose in the library. Fraser opened the door and they all watched as Aaron lost his balance, fell forwards and the Christmas tree came crashing down on Shanie, and Jock’O fled.

‘Shit,’ said Fraser running to help with Effie close behind.

Dolly was frozen with her mouth open. Liv took the phone from her and, grabbing a sheet of paper from the reception desk, she made a crackling sound into the receiver. ‘I’m afraid…’ crackle crackle ‘…breaking up. Sorry…’ crackle crackle. ‘Best time… Bonnie Scott’s restaurant.’ Crackle. ‘Bye.’ And Liv hastily ended the call.

‘Thank you,’ said Dolly looking a little stunned.

‘No worries,’ said Liv and she went to see if she could help.

Thankfully only Shanie’s coffee was spilled but she was complaining about the bits of fir tree in her hair and Liv removed a large spider on the sly. Aaron had landed on his side and was hugging his ribcage, which was likely bruised along with his pride, but Kacey was giving him a lot of fuss so he too seemed okay. Robbie took charge of the situation and ascertained that the size and weight of the tree meant it should have been tethered.

‘Thank goodness everyone is all right,’ said Dolly, her hand on her chest.

Liv did a scan of the room. ‘Where’s Jock’O?’ she asked. Everyone did the same scan followed by a shrug.

‘He was on the rug with me,’ said Shanie.

‘Och my poor wee boy,’ said Dolly, visibly upset.

Effie was quick to comfort her. ‘I’m sure he’s okay.’

‘He’s just had a bleeding great tree land on him, so I doubt it,’ said Shanie Cortina, still pulling bits from her hair.

‘We’ll find him,’ said Liv.

Fraser and Liv went through the door from the library to the dining room and began checking under tables and behind curtains. ‘He can’t have gone far because of his arthritis,’ said Fraser as he looked in the corner by a large sideboard.

‘I think having a tree land on your bonce would make anyone find their running legs,’ said Liv.

‘I guess.’

They thoroughly checked the kitchen including in boxes, cupboards and drawers but there was no sign of him.

‘He could be anywhere,’ said Liv, starting to realise that the hotel was actually quite big if you were trying to find a little dog. ‘But at least he has to be inside, which is good. She wasn’t sure she could face the icy weather again.

They both went upstairs but with all the bedroom doors firmly closed there were few hiding places, even for a small black dog. Liv pushed on her own door and thanks to the dodgy lock it opened. Fraser followed her inside and she was glad she had done a half-decent job of making the bed. Liv got on her knees and lifted up the bedcovers and peered under the bed. Fraser’s face appeared on the other side at the same time. And there was that smile again along with the chamber pot – not exactly a classic romantic moment. Liv hastily put the bedcovers back. ‘Where the hell is he?’

‘Unless he’s recently joined the magic circle he can’t have just disappeared. We’d best look downstairs again,’ said Fraser opening the door. ‘I’m going to check outside.’

‘Is there any point? How could he have got out?’

‘I don’t know but he’s not here,’ he said walking off.

‘Fine,’ said Liv feeling she’d have to go with him. A shiver came over her at the mere thought of the temperature outside. They went to get their coats and the one she usually borrowed was on the floor. She went to pick it up but it was considerably heavier than usual. ‘I think I’ve found him. He’s in my coat,’ said Liv crouching down. There was a large lump in the sleeve making it look like a snake had eaten a watermelon.

‘Thank goodness for that,’ said Fraser crouching down next to her. ‘Hmm,’ he said.

‘Exactly.’ It looked like Jock’O had tried to hide in the coat and in his keenness to feel safe had burrowed down the sleeve. ‘Come on, out you come,’ she said but received only a whimper in reply.

After a few minutes of trying to coax the dog out, it became clear that he was stuck. ‘We’ll have to cut him out,’ said Liv.

‘You could hurt him,’ said Fraser.

‘No choice. We can’t hand him back to Dolly like that. What do we tell her? He’s taken up modelling?’

‘Fine. But be careful.’

Liv came back with the largest pair of scissors she could find and began carefully cutting through the thick material. It was tough but the fancy kitchen scissors were up to the job. Halfway up the sleeve they found a nose and soon had cut through enough for the little dog to wriggle himself free. He seemed very pleased to be rescued and wanted to shower them in doggy kisses.

Fraser picked him up. ‘Thanks, Liv. It was good of you to sacrifice your coat like that,’ he said.

‘My pleasure. Not my coat,’ said Liv wielding the scissors.

‘What?’ Fraser did a double take. ‘That’s my coat!’

‘Whoops,’ said Liv with a shrug. ‘Still, it died for a good cause.’

Dolly was overjoyed to be reunited with Jock’O, who seemed happy to be back in the safety of Dolly’s lap. ‘Right, now he’s safe we have another issue.’

‘What now?’ asked Fraser.

‘The guests are a bit… well one of them used the word “traumatised” by the toppling Christmas tree episode and Shanie was encouraging Aaron to look into solicitors. She said where there’s blame there’s a claim.’

‘You see. I said no good would come from this.’ Fraser began pacing. ‘You try and help people and this is the thanks you get. We should have left them in the snow,’ he muttered.

Dolly gave him a hard stare. ‘I think we need to do something,’ she said. ‘But what can we do?’

‘We need to find ways to turn this miserable moment into a memorable one for the right reasons,’ said Liv.

‘Ooh like when I gave them shortbread,’ said Effie.

‘Exactly. Any ideas?’ She was met by blank faces. She decided to reword it. ‘What can we do to make things even better for each of the guests?’

‘Ooh,’ said Effie thrusting her hand in the air.

‘You don’t need to put your hand up.’

‘Sorry,’ said Effie. ‘Robbie could play the bagpipes for them.’ Robbie sat up straight and grinned.

‘Nooooooo,’ said Liv turning it into a cough when she saw the disappointment on Robbie’s face. ‘I think that’s a um… special occasion thing. And we should save that for when they leave as a proper Scottish send-off,’ she said, pleased with her improvisation.

‘Maybe see if we can get a television signal,’ said Dolly.

‘I’ll take a look,’ said Robbie and he and Dolly left.

‘Shanie is desperate to get on the internet because she’s bored. What could she do instead?’ asked Effie.

‘Read a book,’ said Liv with a shrug.

‘Genius!’ said Effie. ‘I’ll show her the library.’

‘She’s seen the library, Effie. And I’m not being mean but the books you have in there are not exactly TikTok’s finest. I’ve a steamy romcom in my room; I’ll see if she fancies reading it.’

‘Great idea. What about Aaron and Kacey? What can we get them?’ asked Effie.

‘They’re in a steamy romcom so maybe an annual subscription to Lovehoney?’ said Liv with a grin.

‘I don’t know if they even like honey but if you think—’

‘It was a joke. Lovehoney is a… well, it’s a website for um… This is like explaining the birds and the bees to Winnie the Pooh.’

‘Pooh knew all about honey. You’d not need to explain it to him,’ said Effie.

‘You’re absolutely right. Let’s give Aaron and Kacey the gift of private time.’

‘Good idea because they’re probably having lots of sex,’ said Effie.

Liv laughed. ‘Got it in one.’ Effie was clearly more worldly-wise than Liv had given her credit for. ‘Anything else we could do?’

‘Point out that they’re not freezing to death in their car,’ suggested Fraser.

‘Nope. Try again,’ said Liv.

‘A hot bath with candles always cheers me up,’ said Effie.

‘Great idea,’ said Liv. ‘Let’s run a bath and offer it to Shanie. And if we’ve got something fancy to put in the bath and some candles around the edge that would be great.’

‘On it,’ said Effie.

‘I’ve a suggestion of something special we could do for Aaron and Kacey but, Fraser, I’m going to need your help,’ said Liv.

‘I’m all yours,’ he said and they both smiled and then looked quickly away.