Page 65 of The Christmas Highland Lodge

I clamped my arms back down by my sides. ‘Right. I’d better be off then. I’ve got a radio advert to arrange now about the cabins with Craig Brae FM.’

Blake nodded. ‘Sure. Thanks again for all of this.’

I tugged on my coat and slung my bag over my shoulder.

‘Lottie.’

I jerked my head up.

‘You probably know about it anyway. In fact, no doubt it will have been marked up in your diary for months.’ Now it was Blake’s turn to look somewhat uncomfortable. ‘Against my better judgement, I’ve reserved a stand at the Christmas market on Saturday. I thought it might be a good opportunity to meet more of the locals. Then they might be less inclined to chase me with their pitchforks.’

‘They only chase incomers on a Tuesday. Saturdays are the pitchfork bearers’ day off, so you should be ok.’

Blake grinned, his even white teeth flashing through his beard. ‘That’s good to know.’

‘No, seriously,’ I continued, trying not to dwell on how captivating his smile was when it made an appearance. ‘That’s a great idea. I just hope you don’t burst into flames when you hear Christmas songs or happen to smell a cranberry-scented candle.’

‘It wouldn’t be the first time.’

He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans. The tight navy V-neck sweater he was wearing emphasised the sinewy muscles in his arms. I forced myself to concentrate on one of the mannequins over his shoulder.

‘I take it you’ll be going to the market on Saturday?’ he said.

‘Yes, I always do. Definitely this year, what with the cabins being launched.’

Blake nodded. ‘Of course.’

He flashed me a quick look. ‘So maybe I’ll see you there then, on Saturday morning?’

I fiddled with my scarf, as the red and green Christmas lights flickered around us. I smiled, my cheeks flushing hot-pink for the ninetieth time. ‘Maybe you will.’

Chapter Seventeen

The next few days were a cacophony of placing adverts for the cabins in regional and national newspapers and magazines and dropping by Christmas Crackers to give Mum and Orla a helping hand.

Mum had rung me to say they were swamped with customers, keen to snap up the chance of a last-minute bargain before we closed for good on New Year’s Eve and was there any chance, I could ask the Styleses if I could escape from cabin business for a couple of hours? She said they could do with an extra pair of hands to help with some paperwork, re-stock the emptying shelves with more of our most popular decorations and close supplier accounts.

Max and Stephanie were very understanding about it. As the cabins were all finished and furnished, they insisted I help Mum and Orla and that it wasn’t an issue, but I made them promise they would call me if they needed me.

When I arrived, Christmas Crackers was becoming a husk of its former self. So many of the shelves were bare, except for the odd, forlorn ornament waiting to be sold.

I decided to make a start on fetching more of the cardboard boxes containing extra supplies of our most popular styles of decorations, to replenish the shelves.

The three of us stared around ourselves. ‘All the advent calendars and blow-up garden decorations have gone,’ Orla told me with a hint of sadness. ‘Soon, all that will be left will be mismatched baubles and odds and sods.’

‘I sold the last of the “Snowman family” cuddly toys this morning and because of the three-for-two offers on the star-trimmed tinsel we’ve been running, it’s all vanished as well,’ said Mum. ‘I’m hoping to get rid of the last of the illuminated door wreaths and chocolate reindeer tree decorations in the next few days.’

I forced a smile. ‘Thank you so much to both of you for being so supportive and understanding during all of this. I know it’s been rather chaotic, what with me now working up at the lodges, so I really do appreciate it.’

I slipped one comforting arm around her slim shoulders and she nestled closer to me.

Orla wrapped her arms around herself and peered down at the contents of a nearby box. She fired up her plucked brows. ‘Oh, Vivian and that dishy man of hers dropped in earlier. Have you heard the latest? The couple who bought her house are planning on installing a hot tub and a sauna in the back garden.’

‘No!’ gasped Mum.

‘It’s true. They’ve already contacted the council about it.’ Orla tried to conceal a smile. ‘Mr Frew is going around telling everyone that they’ll be having sex al fresco and swinging all over the place if we aren’t careful!’

Mum and I exchanged looks and started to laugh.