Page 76 of The Christmas Highland Lodge

Oh bugger. It was snowing again.

In any other circumstance, the sight of fresh snowflakes, falling like feathers to the ground, would send me into an excited delirium, but not today. ‘They weren’t even going to do the full climb,’ I rushed, my anxious thoughts jostling in my mind. ‘Blake told me the couple were due to catch a flight to London at five o’clock today, so they agreed to hike some of the north face only.’

Oh God. More snow was spinning down from a gunmetal grey sky. What would conditions be like up on Ben Linn right now? Where were they? Was one of them injured? Were they lost in a blizzard? No, come on, Lottie. Blake was a seasoned climber. He had conquered other climbs which made Benn Linn look like a molehill.

Kim was about to say something when her office phone let out a series of insistent rings. We all swapped charged glances.

She excused herself and rushed to answer it and returned again a couple of minutes later. ‘That was one of the receptionists at the Heather Hill Hotel. The couple with Blake are staying there.’ She paused. ‘They confirmed they haven’t returned to check out.’

A sick feeling swished around in my stomach.

Max was next to leap to his feet, followed by Stephanie. ‘We should give the local mountain rescue a call and take it from there.’

The three of us abandoned the dining toom table, strewn with lunch debris and scribbled meeting notes.

As I bundled out of the door, Stephanie reached out and lightly touched me on the arm. Her light eyes were understanding. ‘Don’t worry, Lottie. Blake will be fine. The three of them will be.’

I opened and closed my mouth, not sure what to say. In the end, all I could do was force a watery smile.

Max, Stephanie and I crowded into Kim’s little office. It was all Japanese plants like peace lilies and miniature bonsai and pretty stationery on her desk.

Kim pulled up the Craig Brae Mountain Rescue website on her computer.

‘The rescue team leader is Malcolm Shields,’ I explained, pictures of Blake and his two companions flitting about in front of my eyes. ‘He owns the local pet shop, Paws for Thought. He was a good friend of my dad.’

‘Ok. Thanks.’ Kim snatched up her desk phone and dialled the emergency number on the website.

It seemed like the phone was ringing out for an agonising length of time. In reality, it wasn’t, but my impatience made it feel like we were waiting for someone to answer for ten minutes.

My heart lurched with relief when I heard Malcolm’s soothing voice answer his phone.

Kim gave him an explanation about Blake and the honeymoon couple not returning from their early morning hike up Ben Linn.

‘Is that the Blake Dempster?’ I heard Malcolm ask in surprise. ‘That young man has bagged more Munros than I’ve had hot meals.’

Kim confirmed that yes, it was.

‘He’s a very seasoned climber. If anyone knows what they’re doing, it’s him. Nevertheless, the conditions up there are getting worse. What can you tell us about what time they set off? Who was Blake Dempster with? Where did they leave from?’

Kim gave me a flustered glance. I gestured for the phone, asking her if I could have a quick word with Malcolm. ‘Malcolm? Hi. It’s Lottie Grant here.’

Malcolm paused. I could hear his smile break out down the line. ‘Ah. Tom’s girl. How are you and your mother bearing up?’

I flashed a look at the expectant faces of Max, Stephanie and Kim surrounding me. ‘We’re not too bad thanks. Just keeping busy. Malcolm, we’re really concerned about Blake and the couple he’s with. The fact that they haven’t returned yet is very worrying, especially as they weren’t going to attempt the whole of the north face.’

I gathered myself, realising my voice was beginning to waver. ‘It’s a honeymoon couple that are with him. Blake told me they were experienced climbers too, but they’re staying at the Heather Hill Hotel and the receptionist said they haven’t returned to check out.’

I gripped Kim’s office phone tighter in my hand. ‘They were due to catch a flight from Glasgow to London at five o’ clock today.’

Malcolm processed it all. ‘Right. Leave it with me. I’ll get onto the other team members now and coordinate the search party.’

I swallowed a ball of apprehension, tinged with temporary relief. At least we were trying to do something. ‘Thank you. Thank you so much.’

‘No problem, pet. I’ll keep you informed of what’s going on.’

And with that, there was a deafening click as he hung up.

* * *