Page 87 of The Christmas Highland Lodge

At this time of year, I was usually buzzing like a five-year-old at the prospect of Christmas but there was too much uncertainty and distraction swirling around inside me at the moment, what with the shop closure, my new job and Blake.

* * *

I prized open the glittery window of 22nd December on my advent calendar when I got up that morning, which was propped up in the kitchen, and plucked out the mini chocolate Santa. I had made another attempt last night to reach Blake, but his voicemails on his mobile and at Rock Solid Ramblings were still kicking in, rather than him answering.

Thankfully I knew he was all right, as Mum had mentioned last night that she had spotted him through the window of Christmas Crackers at closing time, wandering past clutching a pint of milk and a loaf of bread. She said he had paused for a moment, stared through our window and then moved on.

I got ready for work, mulling over what to do if Jason Driscoll was a reporter with a hidden agenda.

I had asked Kim to text me when he and his partner arrived to check in but it took me by surprise when her message popped up on my phone as I was throwing on my work clothes.

They were arriving earlier than originally planned. Why?

I replied as much to Kim.

Mr Driscoll rang last night as I was finishing up in the office, to ask if he and his partner could gain access to their cabin a few hours earlier. I chatted with Stephanie and she said that would be no problem, seeing as they had paid for their reservation upfront.

Then Kim fired off another text to me:

I know you’re probably nervous about them being our first guests in the cabins, but don’t worry. You’ve done a sterling job and they look amazing! Are you sure you’re ok?

I gulped down my orange juice as I read her texts. I set down the empty glass and rattled off a response:

Just a bit jittery about everything, ahead of Christmas guests arriving. Want it all to go ok!

I hoped that explanation would answer Kim’s curiosity.

It seemed to do the trick, judging by her following reply:

Please don’t worry [smiling emoji] It will all be fab. You’ll see! X

I took a distracted bite of my buttered toast and a mouthful of my cold tea.

Guilt churned away inside me about not telling Kim about my concern. If I was wrong about Jason Driscoll and he wasn’t a reporter here about Blake, I would look a right idiot, blaming some innocent man for something he wasn’t involved with. If I was right, it would be best not to get her or the Styleses involved. At least not for the time being. The last thing I or they would want with their fledgling business, would be bad publicity.

* * *

I had just pulled up in my car in front of Rowan Moore House, when Kim emerged out of the elaborately decorated entrance.

Today, she was decked out in a glittery red Christmas jumper covered in huge snowflakes and a pair of slim-fitting tartan trousers. She bounded over to my driver side door. ‘Blimey, it’s chilly today.’

She waited until I had retrieved my coat and bag from the passenger side seat. ‘Sorry to drop this on you as soon as you arrive, but I wondered if you could drop by the Winter Wonderland cabin where Mr Driscoll is staying?’

I found my hand clutching my coat tighter over my arm. I frowned. ‘Why?’

Kim folded her arms over her sparkly jumper. Her pixie face broke into a smile. ‘It seems that your interior overhaul has worked its magic already.’

‘Sorry?’

‘Mr Driscoll rang down to the office. He and his partner are very taken with their cabin and wanted to speak to you about reserving it for an extended period at Easter.’

I stared at Kim. ‘But they only just arrived.’

Kim gave an easy shrug. ‘It’s made a big impression on them. Mr Driscoll was raving about the quality of the furnishings and the colour scheme.’

‘And they asked to speak to me specifically about it?’

‘Yes.’