Liv looked to Effie for an explanation. ‘Granny comes from a long line of McNabs,’ she whispered with an expression that said Liv should be wildly impressed by that fact. She would have been more impressed if she’d come from a long line of McVities.
‘Sometimes you need to know when to graciously step down. I think there’s a difference,’ said Fraser. ‘I have to face it. Lizzie knew what she was doing. She set out to derail the restaurant and she’s done it.’
‘But if it’s just staff that you need,’ said Dolly sounding a little desperate.
‘I need a kitchen team and waiting staff. There’s simply not enough time to get anyone else hired.’
‘Then we’ll have to rope in as many locals to help as we can to make up the numbers,’ said Dolly. ‘I’d best get on it right away.’ She headed for the reception desk.
‘Granny, that’s sweet of you but—’
Dolly spun her chair around making both Liv and Fraser step back. ‘Sweet?! I’ve been called some things, Fraser Douglas, but never sweet.’
‘Kind, thoughtful then,’ said Fraser. Dolly was still glowering at him. ‘Also determined and tenacious.’ Dolly seemed mollified by this. ‘But I need trained staff, otherwise it will be a complete and utter disaster. ‘We have to face it.’ He looked up at the ceiling. ‘Bonnie Scott’s is on hold. Possibly indefinitely.’ Fraser turned up his collar and strode off.
‘Where are you going?’ called Liv.
‘Delivery van has made it here but the gates are shut thanks to Robbie and his paparazzi paranoia. And it couldn’t get up the drive anyway.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘To add insult to injury I’ll have to pay for all this food when I won’t be able to serve it,’ he added and carried on walking.
The front door banged closed, which seemed to snap Effie from her daydream and she looked around like she’d been teleported somewhere unfamiliar. ‘What?’ she asked, her eyes darting from Dolly to Liv and back again like a startled rabbit.
‘Effie dear, we’re in the middle of a family crisis. Please try and stay with us,’ said Dolly.
Liv’s mind was buzzing. There had to be an easy solution. ‘I’m thinking out loud here so hear me out,’ said Liv and Dolly nodded. ‘There have to be people around with the right skills. We just have to find them. Put out an advert maybe. A plea for help. Like a Just Giving page but we need people instead of cash. Or a lost dog.’ Dolly and Effie were looking at her like she’d grown a beard. ‘Okay maybe something else.’ Liv’s brain was whirring with the effort. ‘Someone stole Fraser’s staff. I’m thinking maybe he could borrow someone else’s. He needs trained staff so something in the same or similar business. How about a local pub?’
‘The Saracen’s Head will be full every night – they’ll need everyone they’ve got,’ said Dolly.
‘Ooh are they burning rowan again this year?’
‘Blimey who’s Rowan? Another witch?’
Effie giggled. ‘No silly. It’s a tree. They burn a branch of it to—’
‘Ward off evil spirits?’ offered Liv, sensing a theme in this neck of the woods.
‘Actually,’ said Dolly. ‘It’s to eradicate bad feelings between friends and family. Still pagan in origin though so it was a good guess. And the locals love it so the Saracen’s will be busy tomorrow night.’
‘Okay.’ Liv wasn’t giving up. ‘Anywhere else that’s already shut up for Christmas? Coffee shop? Fast food outlet? Garden centre? Pet shop? Anything really.’ At the end of the day they were desperate.
Effie shook her head. Dolly held up a finger. ‘The Little Loch Tearooms. My friend Winnie said they were going to be closed over Christmas and Hogmanay. I suspect they’ve shut up already thanks to the weather.’
‘Perfect,’ said Liv feeling like she might actually have a grip on something useful. ‘How do we get hold of the boss or the staff?’
‘I’ll call Winnie,’ said Dolly continuing towards the reception desk.
A few minutes later the front door banged open and Fraser put down a crate of food. ‘Please can someone give me a hand?’
‘Coming,’ said Liv almost skipping up the hallway until she was stopped in her tracks by an arctic blast. ‘It’s not warmed up yet then.’
Fraser blinked at her. ‘It won’t until April when the temperature might make it into double figures.’
‘Fair enough,’ said Liv going to pick up the crate and realising it was heavier than she was expecting.
‘You can leave it. I’ll sort it once I’ve brought everything down from the gates.’
‘No, it’s fine,’ said Liv, her voice squeaking under the strain of lifting the heavy box. She wasn’t going to be shown up as a wimp even if it meant a hernia. She waddled up the hallway with the heavy load, but as soon as she heard the front door close she put it down with a jolt. ‘Bloody hell that’s heavy.’
‘Did you want a hand?’ called Effie.
