A Christmas Romance in the Scottish Highlands (Scottish Highlands #6)

Chapter 7

7

ALEX

The village hall was huge inside. The ceiling was vaulted and there were multiple windows across two of the main walls – all covered in the decorations Alex had seen from outside. He guessed they let in plenty of daylight, but since it was dark now an abundance of LED panels kept the room warm and bright. Someone had hung fairy lights along the edges of the walls, which made the place look festive, and Alex couldn’t stop himself wondering if Ella had been responsible. From what Aggie had told him, she’d decorated most of Pinecone Manor, which explained why he had a Christmas tree in his bedroom.

A large stage framed by thick red curtains took up almost the entire end of the main room. It was an impressive set-up, and Alex guessed the panto might be more professional than he’d first imagined. It probably explained why a man of Henry’s stature had agreed to help out.

Alex walked further into the room searching for Henry. There were clusters of people sat on chairs, some holding mugs of tea and a few tucking into mince pies. Some milled around the empty space chatting, many of them slathered in sparkly pantomime makeup. A few glanced curiously in Alex’s direction as he passed.

‘Are you okay, lad?’ a woman with high cheekbones and a tidy blonde bob swerved from where she’d been heading to cut him off, her expression friendly. She held a large clipboard in one hand and wore a billowy green velvet dress which accentuated her generous curves. She looked him up and down, her mouth bowing up at the edges. ‘I’m Mae Douglas, pantomime director. I’m also playing the fairy godmother – so if you have any particular wishes you want granted, don’t hesitate to ask.’

Alex decided not to ask if she could arrange for him to be anywhere but here.

The woman flashed him a grin as if she’d read his mind exposing deep dimples in both cheeks. ‘If I had to guess, I’d say you must be the artist who’s staying at Pinecone Manor.’ Alex gaped and she giggled. ‘Getting that right isn’t a demonstration of my magical powers, lad; some of the villagers have been talking about you, and you’re the only handsome stranger here tonight.’

He frowned.

‘Don’t worry, you’ll get used to being the centre of attention. That gorgeous face will guarantee at least a few extra looks. Besides, new blood gets the gossip mill churning at twice its normal speed. Everyone will get over it as soon as there’s something else to blather about. It’s good to meet you.’ She offered a hand.

‘Alex Forbes-Charming.’ He took her hand and shook it. ‘Everyone’s talking about me?’ He looked around the room. A few people were glancing their way, but most had gone back to their conversations. In the distance, Alex spotted Aggie with Hunter by her side talking to a woman who looked identical to her.

Mae nodded still grinning.

‘What are they saying?’ Alex asked, wondering why he cared.

‘That you’re very attractive.’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘And an artist. I’ve also heard you drive too fast.’

Alex sighed as understanding dawned. ‘You’ve been speaking to Ella McNally.’ He shouldn’t be happy that the younger woman had been talking about him, but a flicker of pleasure still danced in his chest.

Mae glanced over her shoulder, and Alex immediately spotted Ella with a couple of young men. They were both tall, with brown hair, and even from here, Alex could see they were handsome. He worked hard to keep his expression blank even as his insides lurched as he fought a rush of jealousy.

His attraction to Ella was baffling and unwelcome, but he’d rarely experienced anything quite so fierce. He wasn’t sure what it was about her that drew him to her. Certainly not her height – she was around five foot six, which was average in most circles, but he usually preferred dating women who were loftier so he didn’t feel freakishly tall.

Her hair was odd – most of it was an unremarkable chestnut brown, but she’d childishly streaked multiple strands in different shades of red and green. Alex supposed it was a nod to Christmas, but its frivolousness still confused him. Her glossy mane stopped just below her shoulders – it wasn’t extraordinary in itself, nor were her large blue eyes. But there was something about the overall combination and the way her cheeks blazed when she glowered at him that made his blood pump faster.

He’d known from the moment they’d laid eyes on each other that Ella didn’t like him very much. Normally, that wouldn’t have bothered him, but for some unknown reason it did this time – and it didn’t seem to matter that he didn’t particularly like her either.

He thought about the drawing of the dog in Henry’s hallway and grimaced. Perhaps he was just bowled over by her talents? Once he got to know her better – once his work began to outperform hers – the attraction would surely fizzle and die. In the meantime, he’d do whatever he could to steer clear.

‘She’s my goddaughter,’ the older woman explained.

‘I see,’ Alex said as Ella’s bloodhound, who’d been sitting beside her, suddenly noticed him. Alex watched as it stood and came galloping to Mae’s side. Then the dog cocked its head and bent to sniff Alex’s boots, taking his time to ensure he’d smelled every millimetre before he wriggled his nose and began to growl malevolently.

‘You seem to have made an impression there too,’ Mae observed dryly, looking amused. ‘Wyatt normally likes everybody, so you’re quite the anomaly.’ She clicked her tongue. ‘Although I suppose you did try to run him down.’ Her smile grew.

‘That’s not quite—’ Alex started.

He was interrupted as a group of people on the other side of the room began to talk loudly and Mae grimaced as she turned around to watch. ‘I’m so sorry, can you give me a moment, looks like there’s trouble afoot,’ she said. ‘If you’re looking for the eejit artist, he’s over by the stage.’ She wafted a hand to her left.

‘Pardon?’ Alex asked, surprised by the insult and intensity of her tone.

Mae didn’t respond. Instead, she walked quickly across the room to where the crowd had grown and the chatter had reached a feverish pitch. Even Aggie, Hunter, Ella and the two men she was with went to join in.

Alex watched them for a moment before he headed towards the stage. Henry was sitting beside it on a chair with a sketch pad balanced on one knee. As soon as Alex approached, Sprout shot from his haunches and trotted over to sit at his feet. Alex found himself reaching down to pet the tuft on the terrier’s head before he caught himself and stopped.

‘Is everything okay?’ he asked when the older man didn’t look up.

‘Why wouldn’t it be?’ Henry growled, glaring across the room towards the crowd which was even larger now. He sighed. ‘Something must have happened – if we stay for long enough, I’m sure we’ll find out what it is. It’s certainly got everyone lathered up.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘Mind you, it’s probably nothing more than one of the lads stealing another one’s lass…or someone getting uppity about not having enough lines in the panto.’ He huffed. ‘It’s a small village and that happens more often than you’d think.’

Henry stood and stared into the crowd looking unconcerned. Then he offered Alex the pad he’d been working on. The page featured a sketch of the stage with a series of rectangles surrounding it, each showcasing a different scene. The drawings were tiny but perfect, and Alex recognised the precise strokes of Henry’s style. If someone tried to sell this rough drawing on eBay, he knew it could fetch thousands of pounds.

He wondered how it would feel to have this much talent, to be so admired. Alex studied the image, trying to imagine it, but couldn’t.

One of the pictures was of a simple bedroom complete with a basic dressing table and unadorned bed. A few threadbare dresses were piled on a chair and a cat sat in the corner of the room staring out; on another Henry had drawn a garden with a large fountain and some lush bedding plants behind which he could see the front door of a large house. A pumpkin and a couple of mice were lounging beside it on the ground; he’d also sketched what looked like a palace ballroom with a glass chandelier that was similar to the one in Pinecone Manor. Alex could almost visualise the way it would glitter in candlelight and even now, he imagined he could hear an orchestra playing somewhere close by.

The final rectangle hosted a smattering of small creatures, including more mice, this time wearing dungarees. Beside them stood a chunky lizard with bulbous eyes and a plump goose. There were a couple of candlesticks lying on the ground beside another pumpkin, only this one was squashed.

Alex guessed this was an illustration of the aftermath of Prince Charming’s ball, after everything had returned to normal once midnight had struck. Indeed, in the far background he could just make out a castle complete with a large clock with both hands pointing to the twelve. All the drawings were brilliant, and he was beginning to look forward to helping to recreate them. Perhaps being involved with this project wouldn’t be such a waste of his time, after all? He might even send his father some pictures when it was done.

‘I’m designing some of the backdrops for the pantomime which you’ll be helping me to paint,’ Henry explained needlessly as he stuck a pencil behind his ear. ‘I assume you know the Cinderella story?’

Alex nodded. His mother had died when he was two, and he’d had a series of nannies from that point until he’d gone to boarding school. One of his favourites had read to him every evening and she’d particularly enjoyed sharing fairy tales. Alex had loved listening to those stories – although they’d stopped once his father had found out. After that he’d been subjected to serious non-fiction tomes, in particular biographies from entrepreneurs, politicians and business gurus. He’d hated them all. Not that he’d ever admitted it.

‘Don’t worry, lad; I won’t be asking how you feel about any of these sketches.’ Henry chuckled, plucking the pad from Alex’s hands just as Ella wandered up to join them, her face pale.

‘What’s happened, lass?’ Henry asked, patting her arm. ‘Is everything okay?’

Ella stroked hair from her face, her eyes shining. ‘Andrew Finn’s been injured,’ she whispered, sounding upset. ‘He’s playing Prince Charming in the pantomime,’ she explained to Alex.

‘How did he get hurt?’ Henry asked, looking concerned.

Ella sighed as she glanced over her shoulder to where Mae was currently disengaging herself from the crowd. The older woman nodded in their direction and began to make her way across the room with Aggie and Hunter following. ‘He was messing about in the snow apparently and got hit by a snowplough last night,’ Ella explained. ‘His girlfriend just came to tell us about it.’

‘Is the lad okay?’ Henry shot back.

‘Aye, he’s fine – but he’s broken both ankles.’ She winced. ‘He’s been in the hospital for most of the day and he’s just been allowed to go home – but apparently he won’t be back on his feet for at least two months.’ She pulled a face.

‘But the show’s going to be on in three weeks!’ Henry gasped, looking back towards the crowd. People had peeled off and were now talking frantically in small groups.

Mae, Aggie and Hunter joined them. Mae’s lips thinned when she glanced at Henry and then she deliberately averted her eyes. Hunter immediately trotted up to Alex and gazed up at him. What was it with the kids and animals in this village – had he been smothered in a multi-species catnip they couldn’t resist?

‘That’s what we’ve been discussing,’ Mae responded, turning towards Ella.

‘Aye,’ Aggie said. ‘It’s a disaster – there’s no one who can take over from him.’

‘He was really good too,’ Hunter interjected, still goggling Alex. The child looked pale, but when Alex looked closer, he realised he’d been wearing white makeup which someone had obviously attempted to scrub off. He could just make out whiskers at the edges of his cheeks. ‘I don’t think anyone could be as good.’

Mae hugged the clipboard tightly to her chest looking unhappy.

‘No one can take over?’ Alex asked, surprised.

‘There are only two lads of the right age who don’t have a big part or important job backstage already,’ Mae explained, her forehead tight with worry. ‘One of them has a wife who’s going to have a wee bairn any day now and the other’s the midwife who’s going to deliver it – so that means he needs to be available too.’

She shook her head. ‘Both of them already have smaller parts in the chorus, which means the show can still go on if they’re not here, but…there’s no one else who can play Prince Charming.’

She sighed and squeezed her eyes shut. ‘All the work we’ve already put in, I’ve sold tickets, started advertising. We do this show every year and people come from across the whole of Scotland to watch it, even tourists book – if we don’t find a Prince Charming, we might have to cancel. It would be the first time Mistletoe hasn’t put on a panto in over fifty-five years…’

‘You can’t cancel,’ Hunter gasped. ‘Da’s promised he’s going to come to watch.’

‘Don’t worry yourself, lad,’ Aggie soothed, patting the boy’s shoulder, but she looked worried too.

‘There must be somebody who can stand in.’ Henry’s eyebrows met. He tried to catch Mae’s eye again, but the older woman still refused to look his way.

Something had obviously happened between them. Alex could almost see the tension rolling off them both, but when he looked in Ella’s direction, she discreetly jerked her head. He’d have to ask her at one of their lessons – if she ever actually turned up.

‘Ach, we all know you’re a talented artist, but unless you can paint me a lad from the village who hasn’t already got a part, I think our panto is over before it’s really begun.’ Mae’s voice cracked, and Alex saw Ella move closer so she could give the older woman’s arm a squeeze.

‘There’s one lad who could do it – no painting required,’ Henry said suddenly, his eyes lighting as they shifted to Alex.

Alex didn’t understand and waited for Henry to explain. Then the penny suddenly dropped, and he felt the blood drain from his face.

‘Oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea,’ Ella snapped, clearly understanding too – Alex wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or pleased that she was so against him taking the part.

‘Ella’s right. I’m not an actor,’ he agreed. He hadn’t come to Mistletoe Village to be in a village panto. At least helping to create the scenery made sense.

‘He’s really not,’ Ella echoed forcefully.

‘It’s hardly Shakespeare, you two,’ Henry said dryly, as the director’s dull expression suddenly brightened.

‘It could work,’ Mae considered, allowing herself one silent nod in Henry’s direction before she took a step towards Alex. She studied him silently as if he were a Christmas tree she was sizing up before getting out her axe.

‘He’s too tall and much too broad,’ Ella said, sounding desperate. ‘None of Prince Charming’s costumes will fit him.’

‘Ach, lass,’ Aggie said, chuckling quietly. ‘We can easily fix that.’

‘It won’t work,’ Alex tried again. ‘I really don’t think I’m the right person to be on stage.’ If his father found out, he’d never forgive him for embarrassing the family name. Besides, he wasn’t an actor and Alex never did anything unless he knew he was going to excel.

‘What about chemistry?’ Ella asked, glancing at him and pulling a face.

Alex frowned – why was Ella so worried about him playing the part?

Mae’s gaze shifted between them, her expression confused. ‘Ach, lass, I’m sure that won’t be a problem.’ She winked.

Hunter tugged eagerly at Alex’s sleeve. ‘You’d get to wear cool costumes and makeup, and sometimes you’d even be on the stage with me! We can talk about art and all kinds of things. You’ll meet my best friend Maxwell Wallace too – he’s playing Perry, the other mouse.’ He beamed, looking excited.

‘Um,’ Alex gulped, out of his depth. He didn’t want to upset the boy or anyone else for that matter – but what the hell was happening here? He might be known as the iceman at work, but he wasn’t looking to alienate an entire village by saying no. How was he going to get out of this nightmare?

‘He’s got the looks all right,’ Mae continued as she looked him up and down. ‘Ella’s right, though. He’s taller than Andrew, broader too, so Aggie, are you sure you and your sister can alter the costumes you’ve already made?

‘It’ll be our pleasure,’ Aggie said.

‘Then it’s settled.’ Mae looked at Alex again, her green eyes wily. ‘I know you’re going to be in the village until the show’s over, so we don’t need to worry about you disappearing when it’s on.’ She rubbed a hand over her heart-shaped chin, looking relieved. ‘Just stay away from snowploughs, please…’

‘Don’t worry, lad – we’ll be able to paint the scenery in-between rehearsals,’ Henry said blandly.

‘That’s not what I’m worried?—’

‘The show must go on – and it won’t if there’s no one to play Prince Charming,’ Henry pressed, his tone letting Alex know there was no point in arguing.

‘But there are lots of men here, they can’t all be busy,’ Alex said desperately as his eyes skirted the room and fixed on the two young men Ella had been talking to earlier. ‘What about them?’ He pointed them out.

‘They’re my stepbrothers and they’re playing the ugly sisters,’ Ella told him. She turned to Henry. ‘I really don’t think this is a good idea. Surely Alex hasn’t got the time to learn the part?’

‘Ach, lass,’ Henry soothed. ‘He’s only in the second half of the pantomime, and there are very few words for him to learn, so he doesn’t have to worry.’

That wasn’t what Alex was worried about. His heartbeat wasn’t accelerating and he hadn’t started to sweat because he was afraid of remembering a few words. He could recall every currency in the world, knew each of their values from one hour to the next. His memory wasn’t the problem. He just didn’t want to embarrass himself.

‘It’s not that,’ he said, taking in a long breath. ‘I’m supposed to be here to work on my painting. This is about improving my work and learning from one of the best watercolour artists in the world – it’s not about being in a pantomime.’

‘Ach, lad, you’ll have plenty of time for your art.’ Henry gave him a stern look. ‘You’ve been struggling to access your feelings. My guess is a couple of days up on stage will help with that.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re already more animated. You’ll learn to understand yourself better by pretending to be somebody else. Besides.’ The older man’s face turned serious. ‘I own your time for as long as you’re staying with me, and I think a stretch playing Prince Charming will do you the world of good.’ He grinned suddenly. ‘You’ve got the right name for it.’

Alex wilted. He knew when to fight his corner and when to throw in the towel – and it was clear he’d already lost this battle. Even Ella had stopped arguing, although her expression was dark. If Henry really wanted him to play Prince Charming, then he’d have to do it. He just hoped his father would never find out.

‘As long as it doesn’t take up too much of my time,’ he grumbled. ‘When do we start?’ He looked around. ‘And who’s playing Cinderella?’

If he was going to do this, he’d do it properly. That meant getting to know the cast – figuring out their strengths and weaknesses so he could understand how to make the best of his part.

He looked up when the others fell silent.

‘That would be me,’ Ella murmured, and Alex’s heart sank.