‘Well, I promise not to laugh anymore. I think I have something of yours.’ He opened a cupboard and took out a jar. He unscrewed the top and let Liv look inside. Surrounded by rice was her mobile phone.
‘My phone!’ She went to grab it but he pulled the jar out of reach. Why had he done that?
‘It’s drying out,’ he said. ‘It was frozen in a lump of ice that I guess was a puddle when it landed in it. I moved a crate in the yard and there it was.’
‘Does it work?’ she asked feeling worried about whichever answer he gave. If it didn’t work she had no phone and if it did had he been spying on her stuff?
‘It wouldn’t switch on but then if it’s been out there all night; the battery is probably dead.’
‘Let’s charge it then.’
‘Nobody has a new iPhone like that here. So there’s no charger to match it I’m afraid. I think it needs to dry out first anyway.’ He put the lid back on and returned it to the cupboard. Liv watched forlornly as he closed the cupboard door.
‘Have you come to lend a hand?’ he asked.
‘I’ve come to defrost with a hot drink. I’m frozen. And to make one for Effie too.’ She wasn’t completely selfish.
‘Is that my coat?’ he asked peering at it.
‘Effie said I could borrow it. Thank you,’ she said.
Fraser took it from her and muttered to himself as he went to hang it up.
Liv decided that whatever happened she needed to get her charger from the car. She was already cold and wet; a few more steps couldn’t do much harm. She grabbed the soggy coat off the hook, hastily dashed through the hotel and with her cheek stinging she set off down the drive. The wind was biting and the snow harsh. The trees were swaying wildly and the noise of the wind was more than a bit creepy. A picture of Janet the witch popped unhelpfully into her mind.
The light was starting to fade as she trudged on trying to think about anything other than Janet. On the plus side she was feeling okay and Fraser had found her phone, even if it wasn’t currently useable. On the not so plus side she had failed to do what she had come to do but did it really matter? She hadn’t challenged Fraser yet but she could hardly do that if she was going to be stuck there for a couple of days – how awkward would that be? No, she needed to bide her time and once she was able to leave that was when she could read him the riot act – and not before.
At least spending more time there than she’d planned meant she could find a bit more out about Fraser and try to work him out and what game he was playing. So far she’d discovered that he was a bit different to how he’d portrayed himself on the app. He was definitely grumpier although also more thoughtful than she’d imagined. Kind of funny in his own way. But definitely as good-looking as his photograph. And she enjoyed the banter between them.
Liv rounded the bend away from the hotel and that was when she saw it. A hunched figure in black was gliding through the trees and she could hear a low moan in the air.
‘Shitting hell!’ said Liv turning around and walking back as fast as her gammy ankle would let her. She got back to the hotel steps a lot quicker and was about to dart straight inside – she was sure the moaning was following her.
‘Wait up!’ called someone behind her as she was closing the door. Liv looked up the darkening driveway. There was Dolly on her scooter almost all covered by a large black mac. The moaning got closer. It was the scooter – not Janet at all. Liv breathed a sigh of relief and held the door as Dolly trundled up the ramp and inside. It looked like Liv would have to wait for another opportunity to sneak back to the car for her phone charger.
Effie came to help Dolly get her mac off. Liv was surprised to see what was underneath it. Not only was it Dolly but there was also a little black dog lying on her lap. She had to look twice to check it wasn’t stuffed.
‘Utter disaster at the lodge,’ said Dolly. ‘The boiler’s packed up.’
‘It does that,’ said Effie joining them. ‘It’ll need a whack with a mallet and it’ll be fine.’
‘It won’t. It’s properly died this time. So there’s no heating and no hot water.’
‘Sorry to hear that,’ said Liv. There was an awkward silence. ‘Who’s this then?’ asked Liv pointing at the dog.
‘Jock’O,’ replied Dolly.
‘What’s the O for?’ asked Liv reaching out a hand to see if he was friend or foe.
Dolly closed her eyes as if in deep thought. That or she’d nodded off. At last she opened her eyes. ‘I’ve absolutely no idea,’ said Dolly looking puzzled. ‘Got him from a chap in Invergarry who called the whole litter that and I thought it was a good name.’
Liv gave him a stroke and he lifted his chin to show off a greying beard. ‘He’s a cutie.’
Fraser appeared with a pot of tea. ‘I thought you were making tea?’ He shook his head at Liv but seeing Dolly he turned his attention to her. ‘What’s up?’ he asked.
‘The boiler at the lodge has finally given up the ghost,’ said Dolly. Effie opened her mouth. ‘Nothing to do with Janet,’ she added and Effie looked a little disappointed.
‘You can stay here until it’s fixed,’ said Fraser. ‘I’ll go over with Effie and bring back whatever things you need.’
