Page 33 of The Christmas Highland Lodge

‘This light thing,’ I remarked, ‘is one of the highlights of the Craig Brae calendar.’

‘That says more about this place than anything,’ he muttered.

Andrew, Dominic and Kim exchanged awkward looks.

‘Blake, we would appreciate it if we all could get involved in this venture,’ said Stephanie. ‘We want everyone to feel included.’

Blake glowered from under his brows at my leaflet, before pushing it back across the table. ‘I’m not sure I’ll be available at the weekend. I have ramblers booked in.’

How convenient. Something told me he was rambling himself.

Chapter Nine

Blake had just marched out of the door, when Stephanie gawped down the table at her husband. ‘What on earth was all that about?’ She pursed her lips.

Max toyed with his mobile phone. ‘I agree, darling, that Blake can sometimes come across as a bit sullen…’

‘Sullen?!’ she repeated. ‘Downright rude is more like it!’

‘But he’s a very experienced professional hiker. He comes highly recommended.’ Max glanced down the table at me. ‘I know he can seem a rather morose character, but he was instrumental in setting up that outdoor education centre for deprived children in Glasgow last year.’

I shuffled my papers in my file and glanced at Kim beside me. He might have achieved something deserving for deprived children, which was commendable, but as long as I didn’t have to have many – or preferably any – dealings with Blake Dempster, that was fine by me.

* * *

I had planned to drive back to Christmas Crackers to check in with Mum and Orla that everything was ok.

But as I negotiated the tree-lined country roads, I decided against it.

They were both more than capable of dealing with the shop. Perhaps I could drop by just before closing time.

I decided instead to head back to my flat, make myself some lunch and then start pulling together the finalised fliers about the cabins to hand out at the Christmas lights switch-on this coming Saturday.

Once I changed out of my officious-looking work clothes into my jeans and a sparkly sweater, I made myself a chicken salad bagel and peppermint tea and set up my laptop on the kitchen table.

Bloody Blake Dempster, I thought to myself. He might not want to bring festive joy to people, but I did! What the hell was his problem with Christmas? Why so prickly about it?

Oh, stuff him! I wasn’t going to dwell on him any longer. I had that leaflet to pull together.

As the cabins had not yet been revamped, I searched the internet for pretty, alluring images of sequinned cushions, cackling log fires, decorated Christmas trees and heart-shaped fairy lights.

I then arranged the images down either side of the verse I’d written and topped it all off with Magical Occasions Cabins in glittery red text.

Once my printer through in the spare bedroom was rattling out coloured copies, I finished eating my bagel, drank the dregs of my peppermint tea and then switched my attention to the social media accounts that Max and Stephanie had set up for the cabins.

Just as the meeting was drawing to a close, Kim had provided me with the necessary username and passwords to gain access to the Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts. ‘Once you’re in, you can set yourself up with access,’ she’d whispered. ‘I had a look at each account and they are rather bland.’ She’d pulled a hesitant face. ‘I don’t think the Styleses are very tech savvy.’

I scrolled through each social media profile in turn. They all consisted of sparse information and bland photographs of the cabins from the outside. The shots were a bit blurry and had been taken on a day when it had tipped it down, so everything looked dank and forlorn. The images didn’t fill you with the urge to rush up and visit, that’s for sure.

There was nothing cosy, eye-catching or alluring about the social media content at all.

I chose instead to use the images that I’d pasted on the fliers, adding in a couple of extra ones of squashy, inviting sofas and crackling wood burners and used the text I’d inserted on Instagram for Facebook and Twitter so that I wasn’t reinventing the wheel.

A log cabin isn’t just for Christmas!

Soon, we will be unveiling our exciting revamped luxury log cabins, set amongst the rugged beauty of Craig Brae woodland.

Christmas, Easter, summer, autumn, Halloween… Enjoy the dramatic and breath-taking changing of the Scottish seasons with Magical Occasions Cabins.