‘Of course not butyellowmarigolds. I’d have thought you’d have gone for pink to match your teddy,’ she said.
‘Do you think you could maybe forget that?’ he asked.
‘Nope. Sorry, that’s indelibly etched on my brain.’
‘Mind you don’t get another bump on the head then,’ he said with a grin as he went past.
Was Fraser Douglas actually starting to get playful?
Fraser went off for a shower before starting on dinner and Liv and Effie decided to show the reluctant guests to their rooms. None of them seemed that happy to have been left in the library while they got everything ready.
‘Hi, everyone, we have good news,’ said Liv.
‘The Wi-Fi is back on?’ asked Aaron hopefully.
‘Better than that. Your rooms have been cleaned, fresh bedding has been put on and they’re ready now,’ said Liv with a forced smile.
‘Here,’ said Shanie, offering her bag to Liv who just looked at it. Shanie waved it at Effie but when Effie went to take it Liv stopped her.
‘I think you can manage to carry that up a few stairs. Follow me,’ said Liv leading the way.
‘The service here is the worst,’ muttered Shanie.
‘The service here is blinking well excellent seeing as I don’t actually work here and it’s free,’ said Liv.
‘Do we not have to pay now?’ asked Shanie sounding cheered.
‘You need to pay for the room and the food. My service is free,’ said Liv.
Upstairs Effie opened the door to the best room with a bit of a ta-dah motion. ‘This is Aaron and Kacey’s room because it’s the nicest and has spi—’
‘Spice,’ shot in Liv, desperately trying to avoid Effie saying the wordspiders.
‘Spice?’ Kacey was pulling a face.
‘It’s for good luck for a long and happy marriage. Very old ritual and ancient Scottish tradition,’ said Liv.
Effie looked more confused than usual.
Kacey walked inside and sniffed the air. ‘I can’t smell anything – only furniture polish.’
‘It’s a delicate scent,’ said Liv nodding sagely.
Aaron walked around the bed. ‘I can smell it. It’s nice.’
Liv breathed a sigh of relief.
Shanie cleared her throat and when Liv turned she beckoned her to one side. ‘I know they’re just married and all that,’ she said in hushed tones. ‘But why have they got the best room?’ Liv opened her mouth to answer but she continued. ‘I think I was clear when I said I have a lot of Insta followers and I’m an influencer.’
‘Sorry, I’m not that bothered because newlywed trumps whatever you are,’ said Liv and went on to the next room, leaving her looking stunned.
‘Shanie, this is your room.’ Effie did the honours by opening the door.
Shanie tentatively put a designer-clad foot inside. ‘Bloody hell. It’s basically indoor camping.’ She fixed Liv with an unblinking stare.
‘Do you like camping?’ ventured Liv.
‘I hate it with a passion.’
