‘It’s also known for its romantic properties. I thought I might see if it worked.’
‘Ah the male clause of I can kiss whoever I like as long as it’s under a poisonous plant in December. So romantic,’ she said.
‘I think so.’ Fraser had a glint in his eye. ‘But only if they want to be kissed.’ It went against everything she knew about the man who had ghosted her, but at that moment she really did want to kiss him. He leaned forward until their lips were so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on hers.
22
Their fleetingly brief kiss was rudely interrupted by Robbie shouting up the hallway. ‘Fraser, you need to see this. Now!’
Fraser pulled back from Liv and she instantly missed him. Her lips tingled from the contact. Something was zinging around her bloodstream and this time it wasn’t too much sugar from the Scottish tablet.
‘Sorry, it sounds urgent. Don’t go anywhere,’ said Fraser, letting her go and striding off towards the entrance.
What the hell just happened? She felt like she had an angel and a devil on each shoulder who were both perplexed by her actions. This was the guy she hated, right? Then why had that kiss felt so right? This was a big pile of twisted wreckage that was going to short-circuit her brain if she tried to work it out. After a moment she pulled herself together and belatedly followed him.
Liv pulled her clothes tight to her as she went to join the others outside. Liv grabbed a blanket and slung it around her shoulders before following them. She found them all watching someone holding a for sale sign as Fraser stood nearby looking cross. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked.
‘That’s what we all want to know,’ said Dolly scooting her wheelchair next to Fraser and almost spilling a precariously held mug of tea. ‘You need to do something,’ she told him.
‘Like what?’ Fraser threw up his arms.
‘Is this a mistake?’ asked Liv. ‘Are you not putting the hotel on the market?’
‘It’s not mine to sell,’ replied Fraser, his jaw tight.
Liv looked about her at the others. ‘I thought he owned it,’ she said.
‘His dad is the owner,’ said Robbie. His walkie-talkie crackled into life with something inaudible. ‘Tractor ETA five minutes. I suggest we head off,’ he said already shooing Aaron away.
Kacey welled up with tears. ‘Aww, I’m going to miss you guys so much. We were like a little wartime family all thrown together.’
‘Minus the bombs and rationing,’ said Liv, giving her a hug and getting her breath squeezed from her lungs in response.
‘We must keep in touch,’ said Kacey wiping away a tear.
‘Uh-huh.’ Liv nodded but felt it was very unlikely.
Kacey followed Robbie and the others out of the driveway waving all the way. When Liv’s arm started to ache she turned to go back inside. The blanket was next to useless at keeping her warm.
‘You going in?’ asked Effie.
‘Yeah, I’m frozen and I don’t think that poor estate agent needs everyone to watch him while he bangs in a sign.’
‘Thanks,’ said the estate agent seeming a little awkward. ‘But I’m here to value the property. I can’t officially put the sign up until the paperwork is completed. Unless you’re happy for me to–’
‘No, we are not!’ said Dolly. ‘And you’ll not be valuing anything without an appointment.’
‘It’ll only take a few minutes.’
‘Did you not hear what she said. You’ll not be valuing anything today,’ said Fraser.
‘Right. I’ll be in touch but I’ll leave the sign if that’s okay.’ The estate agent leant it against the portico. ‘It was quite a struggle getting it in the car.’ He grinned but nobody replied.
He gave a brief nod and almost ran back to his car that was parked nearby.
Fraser stepped forward, grabbed the sign and attempted to snap it in two. Liv paused, expecting to see something impressive but unfortunately the sign was sturdy. Fraser made a sort of growling noise as he wrestled with at the post, his muscles bulging under his top. Everyone watched in silence. Eventually he let go, looking red in the face. After a bit more of a tussle he finally slammed it down on the ground. He turned around to look at the reaction of the estate agent but he was long gone. It was a bit of an anti-climax.
Fraser cracked his neck, pulled back his shoulders and strode inside. Nobody said a thing as they all filed after him. They walked back into the hotel in silence. Liv wondered what was going on, but it wasn’t really her place to say anything. She supposed this meant they wouldn’t be resuming their kiss anytime soon and she was a little disappointed about that. Liv held the door for Dolly who was behind the others as she had to come the long way around via the ramp.
