‘That’ll be why it’s so disgusting, then,’ Hunter comments, pulling a face as he recovers control of the Land Rover. ‘What other types of snake oil did this witch sell you?’
‘Um, just that,’ I tell him, not wanting to admit to the little tub of gel that Izzie described as a ‘love potion’, and insisted on giving me for free, saying I looked like I needed it.
I’m still not sure what she meant by that.
‘They did tell me a ton of stuff about the village and the castle, though,’ I go on quickly, before we can get back to the subject of me buying lotions that remind me of burying my face into Hunter’s jumper last night. ‘And about the Laird. Did you know that he’s basically a prisoner in the place now? And his posh-boy great-nephew is running the show from Glasgow?’
‘Is that right?’ Hunter comments, his tone infuriatingly neutral.
‘So Izzie says. Everyone hates him, apparently. They’re convinced he’s going to try to sell the hotel the first chance he gets. Ian said he was a right arsehole who only cares about money, so that’s definitely the kind of thing he’d do. Have you met him?’
‘Your pal Ian? Or the arsehole nephew?’
‘The arsehole,’ I confirm. ‘Izzie says that if she hadn’t pledged to do no harm, she’d make a tincture for his tea, to make him a bit less tight-fisted. She doesn’t think she could do it without potentially killing him, though, unfortunately.’
‘Well, that’s a shame.’ On the steering wheel, Hunter’s own fists seem to tighten, although a smile plays around his lips.
‘It’s not funny, you know,’ I say, turning to look at him, and almost headbutting Stevie in the process. ‘The stuff they make is really good quality,andit’s all made locally. The hotel should be buying it. They could even have a little shop in reception or something, selling different things from around the area.’
I hold up the turnip and the bottle of Eau de Hunter again, as if to prove my point.
‘Maybe I’ll have a word with Dante when I get back,’ I go on thoughtfully, when Hunter doesn’t answer. ‘He’s the manager, surely he must have some say over what kind of products are bought?’
‘Maybe. Why are you so invested in this, though?’ Hunter asks, his eyes flicking in my direction. ‘Or is it just that you enjoy shopping so much that you want to shop on behalf of the hotel now, too?’
‘Idothink about things other than shopping, you know,’ I remind him, annoyed. ‘I told you that last night. And I’m notinvested, particularly; I just want to help.’
I don’t want to tell him this, but his constant jibes about shopping and selfies have been making me think a bit more about what it is, exactly, that I want to get out of this stay – these four days in the life of an influencer. And I’m still not totally sure what the answer to that is, but Idoknow it has to be something more than just that. I don’t want to influence people to be like me; constantly buying things they don’t actually need, as if it’ll make up for the things theydoneed, but which aren’t actually for sale. Like love, say. Or that elusive sense of belonging that I’m starting to realise doesn’t come courtesy of a cashmere sweater or sparkly dress; no matter how fabulous.
I want to make a difference.
And maybe this is a good place to start.
‘Izzie and Ian are the first people who’ve been nice to me since I got here,’ I say instead. ‘Well, other than you and Agnes. And, yes, you too,’ I add, laughing as Stevie nudges me with his nose to get my attention. ‘I’d just like to do something for them in return.’
‘Fair enough. I’m just not sure pestering Dante to buy their stuff is the best way to go about it,’ says Hunter. ‘I told you how much pressure he’s under. I don’t really fancy your chances of convincing him to buy hand cream, or whatever that stuff is.’
I clutch my shopping bags a little tighter, annoyed by how dismissive he’s being of my big idea. It reminds me of my ex. He always thought my ideas were stupid, too; that’s if he even bothered listening to them.
And I haven’t even got onto the subject of the Nuckelavee yet. Or told him about the hand cream that repels evil.
‘Laugh all you want,’ I say, opening up the bottle of lotion again so I can have another sniff. ‘But yes, convincing Dante to shop locally for the hotelisthe best way to go about it, actually. And it could be good for the Chrysalis, too. People want to experience local culture. They don’t want to travel to the Highlands and just see the same old things they can find in any Travelodge in the country. They want quality produce that’s made in the place they’re visiting.’
‘Aye, and all that stuff comes at a price,’ Hunter replies. ‘Which the hotel has to be able to afford if it’s going to survive. Tourists might like local products, but they don’t always like the price tag that comes with them.’
‘Well, that’s why I’m here, isn’t it? To influence them. And if there’s anyone who can persuade people to shop, it’s me.’
I cross my arms stubbornly over the bag of leeks. I may be down to just over two thousand followers now, but that’s still two thousand people who might see one of my posts and decide to come to the hotel.
That has to count for something?
‘Well, I for one have every confidence in you, Rosie,’ Hunter says, in an amused tone which makes me want to throw my turnip at him. ‘I’m sure the Chrysalis is very lucky to have you out thereinfluencingon its behalf.’
‘It’s lucky to have all of us,’ I retort. ‘And so are you, Hunter. I know you think influencers are stupid, and vapid, and obsessed with shopping, but if you and Hannah want to be able to stay here in the Highlands, you need the hotel to be a success as much as anyone else. And having us all doing our best to promote it could help it do that.’
‘Hey, now, I didn’t call you stupidorvapid,’ he protests, the amused tone gone. ‘I would never say anything like that, Rosie.’
‘No, but youdothink it, don’t you?’ I challenge him.
