Page 12 of Winter Magic at Hollybrae Castle

‘Nancy’s a gem. Every night when I get home, whether it’s six o’clock or ten o’clock, she’s made something and left it for me to warm up, and I’m beyond grateful. She and Hamish have worked for my family since before I was born, and I don’t know what I’d do without either of them, but it would definitely involve subsisting on instant noodles and cup-a-soups, and living amongst nothing but brambles and gorse.’

There’s a real warmth and reverence in his voice when he talks about them. They’re obviously more like family friends than employees, and we continue working our way through the two mince pies in companionable silence. He’s sitting in the furthest seat opposite me and it feels like we’re both adjusting to each other’s presence, and I don’t feel the need to fill it with pointless chatter, like I often do with colleagues at work, and when the mince pies are gone and I’ve made an arbitrary attempt to sweep up the worst of the crumbs, I sit back and hold my mug of tea with both hands.

‘So where are Maisie and Rory’s parents in this scheme of borrowing their children?’

‘Going on an all-expenses-paid cruise around the Caribbean,’ he says with a self-deprecating laugh that I take to mean he paid for it as a bribe.

‘And they’re okay with that? Kids are only that age once. They really don’t mind missing a Christmas with their children?’

‘They haven’t had a holiday in about fifteen years. They nearly ripped my hand off when I suggested it, and they’re planning a family Christmas when they get back. Parents get a holiday, kids get two Christmases, win-win.’

‘Wow.’ I sip my tea again, reluctant to empty the mug because I’ll lose the heat it’s giving my fingers. ‘You must really love your job.’

‘No, hate it. Dread every day. Why?’

I raise both eyebrows. He must be joking, but I don’t know him well enough to be certain. ‘You’re going to a lot of trouble and expense to save it.’

‘Or to save myself being caught out in a lie. And to get the promotion that’s the only way I’ll be able to pay the castle bills next year. This is my one chance. If I lose it, there are no more openings coming up. I can’t cover the castle expenses for another year. I don’t know what I’ll do other than sell up. Which is where you come in… If you give me your bank details, I’ll transfer half of your fee now and half… at the end of December?’ He says it questioningly, like he’s expecting me to demand it all upfront.

I nod. It feels odd to talk business, but it’s a sharp reminder that this is a job, and I must remain professional and not get swept away by the magic of the castle.

‘And this is for you.’ He gets up and pads across the kitchen and returns with something in his hand.

He holds out what looks like a bank card. There’s a Post-it note stuck to it with a four-digit PIN written on it. ‘What’s this?’

‘A credit card for you to use for any decorations or decorating paraphernalia you deem necessary. The decorations we have here haven’t seen the light of day in many years, so there’s bound to be a lot of stuff you need to get in. The details are on there for ordering online, the PIN is there for anything you need to buy in shops. Charge anything you need for the castle to it.’ His warm fingers brush against my freezing ones as I take it from him. ‘I meant what I said yesterday – the castle needs to look like a place where dreams are made. It needs to feel like a warm and welcoming family home. We need to give these people the best Christmas they’ve ever imagined. No expense spared. If I get the promotion, I’ll be able to pay it off.’

‘And if you don’t?’

‘Then I’ll pay a load of interest on the balance and pay it off eventually.’

‘No pressure then,’ I say with an awkward laugh given the amount of pressure I suddenly feel. It strikes me that this is a very trusting thing to do. ‘I could charge a round-the-world yacht trip to this and skip the country.’

‘Aye, you could…’ He meets my eyes and there’s a spark in his. ‘But I don’t think you will.’

I grin. ‘I guess half the fun is in finding out.’

He laughs and pushes a hand through his hair, hovering at the side of the table awkwardly. ‘Look, I know this is all a bit mad, but I need to know you’re not going to call me a basketcase and walk out halfway through being my pretend wife.’

I think about it. This is definitely more than a bit mad, but I’m captivated by him and the castle, certainly enough to see how the heck we’re going to pull this off. ‘I’m not.’

‘A crackpot?’

I laugh and shake my head. ‘I’m committed.’

‘Committed,’ he repeats and holds his hand out and I shake it. ‘Or I soon will be.’

It makes me giggle again because I really am charmed by his self-deprecating sense of humour.

‘What about the kids?’ I ask when he goes back to his seat and flops down in it like he’s tired. ‘Are they up for this? Are they old enough to understand the task at hand?’

‘Bribery. Lots of bribery. I’ve promised them anything they want, so I’m currently on the hook for a Lamborghini and a pony.’

I let out a snort that makes me sound like a pony, although there’s every chance he’s being serious. ‘Haven’t your bosses ever expected to see photos?’

‘Oh, my family are all notoriously camera shy. I get my camera out and they just… whoosh. Run off in opposite directions. On my desk at work, there’s an AI-generated photo of the four of us sitting on a beach and looking out to sea, our backs to the camera so they can’t see our faces. Although the AI-generated woman in the photo’s hair is longer than yours, so don’t forget to mention you’ve had a haircut.’

I touch my shoulder-length dark hair self-consciously, wondering just how many lies he’s going to have to fill me in on.