Page 31 of The Christmas Highland Lodge

Behind them, was a pixie-faced young woman called Kim Wu. Her hair was white and cut into a Peter Pan style, which enhanced her fine features and high cheekbones. Stephanie explained Kim had just been recruited as their PA, after Max had enticed her away from a former publisher he had worked for.

Everyone took up their seats at the table and cups of coffee and tea were passed around. Blake Dempster ended up stationed on the opposite side of the table to where I was and a couple of chairs down. Thank goodness for that. At least I didn’t have to look across at his glowering expression every time I lifted my eyes.

Kim sat herself down next to me, with Andrew and Dominic opposite, Blake beside them and Max and Stephanie at either end.

‘So, the cabins,’ announced Max with trepidation. ‘As you all know by now, they are NOT how Stephanie and I envisaged them to look.’

Stephanie pulled a face. ‘That’s an understatement.’ She glanced at each of us around the table. ‘So that’s why we have recruited Lottie here to work her magic on them.’

I could feel my cheeks zinging, as all interested eyes swivelled to me.

From further down the table, I could have sworn I heard Blake Dempster let out a grunt.

‘I am delighted to confirm that all four of the cabins are now reserved for Christmas and so Lottie is going to transform them for us into a festive cornucopia!’

‘No pressure then,’ grinned Max from down the table. He took a mouthful of his black coffee. ‘So, Lottie, it’s over to you.’

This was my moment.

I swallowed.

I flipped open my buff folder lying in front of me and looked up. Blake Dempster had his arms folded and was reclining back in his chair studying me, as if to say, ‘I can’t wait to hear this!’

I snatched a mouthful of tea and set the cup down with a decisive clink against its saucer. Ok. This was it. I took a breath, ignoring the writhing nerves in my stomach. ‘I’m obsessed with Christmas. I always have been. I suppose it helps when you work in a shop with the name Christmas Crackers!’

There were chuckles from everyone except Blake, who remained stony-faced.

I carried on. ‘I wanted to come up with colours and themes for Christmas that could also be adapted for the rest of the year. So, I am going to run through my initial suggestions for revamping the cabins. I would be very interested to hear your views.’

I took another sip of my tea and then proceeded to explain the four individual themes I had come up with, describing my vision for everything from the glittery snowflake decorations to the sequinned, white cushions, the Nutcracker soldiers and woodland animals constructed from wood and pine cones.

I then went on to explain what I thought could be done with the interiors after Christmas was over, so that they could be adapted for everything from Valentine’s weekend and Mother’s Day, to spring, Easter, Father’s Day, the summer months and then the arrival of autumn and Halloween.

‘We can tweak each of the cabins,’ I emphasised. ‘I suppose it’s all about being savvy with our colour schemes.’

I snatched the opportunity to look across at Andrew and Dominic Clark for their approval and much to my relief, they were nodding and making lots of notes.

I returned to my folder again and then laced my hands together on top of the table. ‘Stephanie and Max, please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you said to me you wanted something welcoming, cosy and magical and what better time to start as we mean to go on than Christmas?’

From Blake Dempster’s direction, there came a small but audible groan.

He really was an abrasive cretin! What the hell was the matter with what I had just said?

I shot him a frosty look and continued. He was not going to distract me!

‘I have been giving some thought to a brand name and I wondered about Magical Occasions Cabins?’ I flipped my buff folder closed. ‘I thought that encapsulates what we are trying to do here. We are all about giving customers a magical and memorable experience, no matter the occasion they wish to celebrate. I’m really looking forward to hearing all of your thoughts.’ Well, not your thoughts, I concluded darkly at Blake. You can piss off.

I cleared my throat. ‘I hope my love of Christmas and all things festive will go some way in helping to get this business off the ground. Thank you.’

There was a ripple of appreciative applause and positive murmurs.

‘Excuse me?’ Blake’s voice rumbled down the table, cutting through the clapping and making me start. ‘May I say something?’

‘Of course,’ replied Max.

Blake straightened his tie. ‘Look, all these fanciful suggestions sound all right in theory and I have nothing against Ms Grant. I am sure you are very enthusiastic and capable, but do guests really want to be trapped in something that reminds them of a cheap snow globe for a few days?’

Bloody hell! Could he be any more condescending? Any moment now, I expected him to pat me on the head and tell me I was a good girl.