Chopping the tree down was not like Liv had seen it in the films. Out of the rucksack Fraser pulled another horror film staple, the chainsaw, and proceeded to effortlessly cut wedges out of the tree from alternating sides. She and Effie stood well back until Fraser put his boot against it and pushed it over. He chiselled little grooves in the trunk before putting the chainsaw away and tying ropes around the bottom, which held firm in the cut ridges. They each took a rope and set off for the hotel.
Trudging through the snow with thoughts of a nice hot drink in her head, Liv had that sense that someone was watching her. If it was Janet she was so cold she was almost at the point of being happy to surrender her soul. But she glanced across the bushy branches to see Fraser looking at her, and for the first time there was no air of contempt in his gaze. He smiled, which caught Liv by surprise, and she instantly tripped over and face-planted in the snow.
19
Back at the hotel Liv made a cup of tea and went through to the library where the men had already got the tree up and were adjusting it in the base.
‘Chuffing heck. Is that the same tree?’ asked Liv scanning the giant fir up and down. ‘Did that grow like six feet between the woods and here?’ The tree, which had seemed dwarfed by its peers in the woodland, now looked huge as it reached almost to the high ceiling and filled the bay window. ‘It is a Griswold tree,’ she said and then remembered the earlier conversation. ‘I just mean—’
‘I loved that film,’ said Robbie, sticking his head from underneath the branches. ‘Absolute Christmas classic. I must dig it out this year.’
‘Thank you, Robbie,’ said Liv, feeling vindicated. ‘Please can you strap Fraser and Effie to a chair and make them watch it too, because they’ve not seen it.’
‘Restraining people without consent is against the law—’
‘It’s okay,’ said Fraser. ‘She didn’t mean literally. And Iwouldlike to watch it.’ There was a quick glance in Liv’s direction. Was the tide changing with Fraser Douglas? Liv was still very much on her guard.
Effie hugged herself as she grinned at the tree. ‘It’s so pretty. All it needs is a sprinkle of reindeer dust.’
‘What would that be exactly? Deer dandruff?’ asked Liv. Effie shook her head at her.
Robbie had set a roaring fire in the library and Liv was starting to defrost while she gave Jock’O a tummy rub. The mission to make the guests enjoy themselves was taking shape. Effie invited them all downstairs with the lure of Drambuie laced coffees and presented them with the box of ornaments she’d discovered.
Dolly beckoned Fraser and the others out into the hallway, leaving the guests in the library. For once she didn’t have Jock’O on her lap; he’d been replaced by a radio and the sound of someone speaking was a little distracting. ‘Listen to this,’ she said, turning up the volume. A radio presenter with a thick Scottish accent was enthusing about how the snow was bringing people together. He was finishing a story about a rural community who were delivering food packages by tractor. ‘And now the story I was teasing you about. I have Hamish MacNeish…’ Dolly grumbled something at the surname. Fraser gave an imperceptible shake of his head which Liv took as ‘Don’t ask.’ So she didn’t. The radio host continued. ‘And he is live now from The Grog and Scran pub. Hello, Hamish, I understand you’ve taken in some stranded travellers?’
The noise level changed when Hamish came on and it sounded like a full-scale party was underway. ‘Aye. It’s like Hogmanay has come early. We rescued eight poor folk from the terrible weather. Some were trapped in their cars and we brought them here. It’s a snow-in but we have food and beer, so everyone is happy.’
‘That’s Scottish hospitality right there. Can we speak to one of the guests please, Hamish?’
‘Sure thing.’
‘Hiya,’ came a female voice.
‘You’re live on the radio. Can you tell me a little about your experience?’
‘OMG. We are all getting on so well. When our car conked out and ended up in a snowdrift little did we know we would all be having the time of our lives. I have met people here at the Grog and Scran that I know will be friends for life.’
Dolly turned the sound back down. ‘The presenter wants people who are in a similar position to phone in. What do you think?’
‘Could be good PR,’ said Liv. ‘The Grog and Scran just got a good few mentions in just a couple of minutes.’
Fraser was looking sceptical. ‘It’s not exactly a party here though.’
He pushed the library door gently open and they all surreptitiously peered inside. Shanie was sitting on the rug with Jock’O, mug in one hand and pointlessly waving her phone in the other, while Aaron and Kacey were diligently placing baubles on the tree. Aaron looked a bit precarious on a chair as he reached for the higher spots and Kacey looked on in awe, her pride in the smallest of her new husband’s abilities very apparent. It was a picture-perfect scene.
‘I’m going to ring in,’ said Dolly decisively.
After a few minutes Dolly was on hold to the radio station and the excitement in the hallway was palpable. She put her hand over the receiver. ‘They’re putting me through to the host,’ she whispered.
Effie was bouncing on her heels. She gripped Liv’s hand. ‘We’re going to be famous,’ she whispered in her ear. Liv smiled at Effie’s endless enthusiasm.
Fraser was chewing at a hangnail and Robbie had wandered off. Dolly’s eyes suddenly widened. ‘Hello, Gordon, this is Dolly Douglas,’ she said, her voice a little stilted. ‘Aye, we’re here at Bonnie Scott’s restaurant, part of the Lochy House Hotel, and we have four stranded people with us. We’ve given them shelter and top-class food from locally renowned chef Fraser Douglas.
‘Right now they are drinking Drambuie coffees and decorating a local fir that has been felled in their honour,’ said Dolly.
She’s laying it on thick,thought Liv.
‘Of course you can speak to them. I’ll just—’
