Christmas at the Castle Read Free

across as one of those frighteningly efficient women that scare the hell out of me.’
    â€˜Oh my God!’ Kit almost spilled her coffee as, back at her work station in Pickwicks the following morning, she read the reply from Alice, which must have been shot back the moment Kit’s email landed in her inbox.
    Peggy delivered a piping hot, thickly buttered cheese scone to Kit’s table, ‘What’s new on the Scotland front?’
    Kit grimaced towards the computer. ‘Last night I told that Alice woman that I’d help with the festival from down here via the internet. I've been sent a to-do list that would make your hair curl!’
    â€˜Not my hair, hun!’ Peggy flipped her poker-straight black ponytail over her shoulder. ‘What’s she asked you to do?’
    â€˜Plenty! I’m not sure I want to do it anymore.’
    â€˜Why ever not?’
    â€˜Because she hasn’t asked me to do anything. She’s told me what to do, though.’ Kit swivelled the screen around for Peggy to see. ‘Do you see a single please or thank you?’
    Peggy shrugged sadly. ‘What do you know about her? I’m guessing youngish, executive, go-getting, frequent gym-goer, blonde, successful, and has spent her whole life being popular.’
    Kit’s mouth dropped open. ‘That’s precisely how Erin describes her. How did you know?’
    â€˜Told you many times, hun. Student of life, me! You can’t run a café for any length of time without being able to read people instantly. It makes me sad sometimes.’
    â€˜What does?’
    â€˜The way people hate being thought of as clichés or stereotypes, and then do their utmost to become clichés or stereotypes.’
    Kit laughed. ‘Sometimes I wonder why you don’t write books.’
    â€˜And give up this life of luxury!’ Peggy gestured around her busy café. ‘No chance. So, are you going to do what Alice wants or are you going to tell her to stuff it?’
    Taking up her soup bowl of a coffee cup, Kit sighed, ‘I’ll do it. Although I’m nervous about appearing on the romance panel, I kind of want to prove to myself that I can do it. If I annoy this Alice woman I may not get the chance.’
    â€˜And you’ve finished your novel and have itchy fingers?’
    â€˜That’s what Phil said!’
    Four hours later Kit had designed and emailed off sixteen different flyers, one for each of the authors taking part. She had to admit it, she was impressed by the names. This Alice may not be particularly polite, but she knew how to get the top people in. Maybe being brusque was the way to succeed?
    Not only was she blunt, but Alice was evidently efficient. Only minutes after Kit had finished and was hailing Peggy for more caffeine, a fresh email landed in her inbox.
    Kit, these flyers are excellent. We need you up here. I will pay for your flight. You can sleep in the guest lodge at Crathes Castle. All other expenses will be your own, but if you keep receipts I will see what I can do about repaying you if the festival makes a profit. There is a flight from Heathrow to Aberdeen on Monday 23 rd at 7 a.m. Please confirm you will be on it. Alice.
    Gulping, Kit found herself marvelling that the word ‘please’ was included as she exhaled slowly. She hadn’t been due to fly up for another ten days.
    Before Kit had time to call Phil, a further email arrived.
    I should have said, now that Erin Spence is not involved, you will be required to host the romance panel rather than appear as a guest. I am assuming this is OK with you as you’re taking over all of Erin’s other duties. Again, please confirm ASAP. Alice.
    It hadn’t occurred to Kit that anyone would want her to be more than a guest. One of the joys of writing was that it was a safe, comfortable, and non-confrontational way of life. How on earth could Alice imagine she could host a panel that only