But Dolly was interrupted by all hell breaking loose in the library. Fraser opened the door and they all watched as Aaron lost his balance, fell forwards and the Christmas tree came crashing down on Shanie, and Jock’O fled.
‘Shit,’ said Fraser running to help with Effie close behind.
Dolly was frozen with her mouth open. Liv took the phone from her and, grabbing a sheet of paper from the reception desk, she made a crackling sound into the receiver. ‘I’m afraid…’ crackle crackle ‘…breaking up. Sorry…’ crackle crackle. ‘Best time… Bonnie Scott’s restaurant.’ Crackle. ‘Bye.’ And Liv hastily ended the call.
‘Thank you,’ said Dolly looking a little stunned.
‘No worries,’ said Liv and she went to see if she could help.
Thankfully only Shanie’s coffee was spilled but she was complaining about the bits of fir tree in her hair and Liv removed a large spider on the sly. Aaron had landed on his side and was hugging his ribcage, which was likely bruised along with his pride, but Kacey was giving him a lot of fuss so he too seemed okay. Robbie took charge of the situation and ascertained that the size and weight of the tree meant it should have been tethered.
‘Thank goodness everyone is all right,’ said Dolly, her hand on her chest.
Liv did a scan of the room. ‘Where’s Jock’O?’ she asked. Everyone did the same scan followed by a shrug.
‘He was on the rug with me,’ said Shanie.
‘Och my poor wee boy,’ said Dolly, visibly upset.
Effie was quick to comfort her. ‘I’m sure he’s okay.’
‘He’s just had a bleeding great tree land on him, so I doubt it,’ said Shanie Cortina, still pulling bits from her hair.
‘We’ll find him,’ said Liv.
Fraser and Liv went through the door from the library to the dining room and began checking under tables and behind curtains. ‘He can’t have gone far because of his arthritis,’ said Fraser as he looked in the corner by a large sideboard.
‘I think having a tree land on your bonce would make anyone find their running legs,’ said Liv.
‘I guess.’
They thoroughly checked the kitchen including in boxes, cupboards and drawers but there was no sign of him.
‘He could be anywhere,’ said Liv, starting to realise that the hotel was actually quite big if you were trying to find a little dog. ‘But at least he has to be inside, which is good. She wasn’t sure she could face the icy weather again.
They both went upstairs but with all the bedroom doors firmly closed there were few hiding places, even for a small black dog. Liv pushed on her own door and thanks to the dodgy lock it opened. Fraser followed her inside and she was glad she had done a half-decent job of making the bed. Liv got on her knees and lifted up the bedcovers and peered under the bed. Fraser’s face appeared on the other side at the same time. And there was that smile again along with the chamber pot – not exactly a classic romantic moment. Liv hastily put the bedcovers back. ‘Where the hell is he?’
‘Unless he’s recently joined the magic circle he can’t have just disappeared. We’d best look downstairs again,’ said Fraser opening the door. ‘I’m going to check outside.’
‘Is there any point? How could he have got out?’
‘I don’t know but he’s not here,’ he said walking off.
‘Fine,’ said Liv feeling she’d have to go with him. A shiver came over her at the mere thought of the temperature outside. They went to get their coats and the one she usually borrowed was on the floor. She went to pick it up but it was considerably heavier than usual. ‘I think I’ve found him. He’s in my coat,’ said Liv crouching down. There was a large lump in the sleeve making it look like a snake had eaten a watermelon.
‘Thank goodness for that,’ said Fraser crouching down next to her. ‘Hmm,’ he said.
‘Exactly.’ It looked like Jock’O had tried to hide in the coat and in his keenness to feel safe had burrowed down the sleeve. ‘Come on, out you come,’ she said but received only a whimper in reply.
After a few minutes of trying to coax the dog out, it became clear that he was stuck. ‘We’ll have to cut him out,’ said Liv.
‘You could hurt him,’ said Fraser.
‘No choice. We can’t hand him back to Dolly like that. What do we tell her? He’s taken up modelling?’
‘Fine. But be careful.’
Liv came back with the largest pair of scissors she could find and began carefully cutting through the thick material. It was tough but the fancy kitchen scissors were up to the job. Halfway up the sleeve they found a nose and soon had cut through enough for the little dog to wriggle himself free. He seemed very pleased to be rescued and wanted to shower them in doggy kisses.
