Page 108 of The Christmas Highland Lodge

‘Not particularly. Ok. I’ve had enough of the hilarious banter.’

With one swing of his muscular arm, Blake scooped me up and effortlessly threw me over one shoulder.

I started to laugh and squeal as he held me there and began to stride down the hallway. ‘What are you doing? Put me down! Blake. Stop it. Where are you taking me?’

‘To the bedroom. Any objections, Ms Grant?’ he asked with a growl, as he bumped me along.

‘No,’ I sighed, my stomach performing that familiar delighted swoop. ‘None at all, Mr Dempster.’

Epilogue

TWELVE MONTHS LATER, CHRISTMAS EVE

The last twelve months proved to be a hectic, exciting but rewarding time.

Magical Occasions Cabins, following the entries submitted for the cabin naming competition, were ultimately named after four successful Scottish architects and engineers: Adair, Playfair, Mackintosh and Telford.

There had been so many original entries, but in the end, Max and Stephanie opted for the suggestions put forward by a local ten-year-old girl who was studying Scottish architecture for a class project. She and her family were delighted to win a long weekend stay for four in one of the cabins of their choosing, plus of course the delicious hamper.

I continued with the tweaking and refurbishing of the cabins to fit in with Valentine’s, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Halloween.

Yellow and white furnishings incorporated for the easter weekend, complete with Easter egg hunts in the woodland, little fluffy chicks and an easter bunny visit.

The other weekends during the year, such as Halloween, with pumpkins, orange lights strung in the woods and spooky stories, went down a storm too.

Max and Stephanie continue to be delighted with how things are going and Kim and I work well as a team.

Blake’s Rock-Solid Ramblings business is going from strength to strength. Word has spread about Blake’s former life as a TV presenter (more about that in a minute) and his rambling and mountaineering reservations have shot up, not to mention his reputation for providing Magical Occasions Cabins with a great hiking and rambling service for their guests.

Blake reached out to his agent and, after some thought, he is planning to return to TV to do some presenting again. He said he didn’t want to give it up – not really – but after what happened between him and Amy, his confidence took a major hit and he needed to escape the spotlight for a while.

Now he thinks he could see himself venturing in front of the camera again to present more shows about hiking, rambling and the best nature walks in the UK, starting with Craig Brae.

I’m thrilled for him!

As for Christmas Crackers, Ronaldo’s turned it into a rather fetching, rustic-looking premises at the beginning of the year, complete with high wooden beams, wall lamps and high-backed quilted chairs and tables.

Strange thing is, Mum dropped in with Orla for a coffee not long after it opened and she ended up being offered a job there. She works part-time serving drinks behind the bar and enjoys it. She still does the odd piece of scented candle packaging and selling for Susie, but working in the café has brought Mum something else.

Despite her protestations, she has become friendly with the manager, Mark. Things are in their early stages, but she and Mark, a divorcee, seem to get on really well and are good for one another. I know Dad would not want her to be alone.

Orla got herself another job too. She started work in the spring with us up at Rowan Moore House, as a part-time assistant to Kim. She’s doing sterling work and it means that Kim has a bit of extra support with the increase in admin and bookings!

And as for Blake and I… well, we aren’t together at the moment…

It’s Christmas Eve, you see, and it’s supposed to be bad luck for the bride and groom to see one another the night before they get married!

I’m busy getting ready at Mum’s house and will hopefully spend the rest of my life with a man who showed me that it’s never too late to turn your life around and that we are all stronger than we think we are, no matter what life may throw at us.

I stare back at my reflection in my old bedroom mirror. My hair is loose, spiralling down my back in brown curls and I’ve just slid into my winter wedding dress. It is a satin A-line design, with a sheer long-sleeved top, decorated with beads.

I’m going to slip on my tuille bishop-sleeved robe on over the top of it. After all, it is Christmas Eve and Craig Brae is chilly out there!

I finish putting in my pearl earrings and reach for my bouquet. It will be no surprise for you to learn that it too is festive-themed, comprising of deep-red velvet roses that remind me of burgundy wine. I chose gold pinecones and gold-tipped eucalyptus to accompany them, together with iced foliage and holly, studded with frosted berries.

I gaze around my old bedroom with its simple white furniture, lemon bedding and my dressing table with its oval gold-rimmed mirror.

Outside, the late morning sky is teasing the town with a possible delivery of snow.