Page 16 of Hollywood Games
Morag started rummaging through her cupboards. ‘I don’t think I have what you’re talking about, love, I usually use a loose-bottomed cake tin.’
Zoe got to her feet. ‘Have I got time to drive to Inverness?’
Morag looked at her watch. ‘Not really, love, and you’ve got to get yourself ready too.’
Zoe sat back down. ‘I can’t go dressed like this!’ she said, groaning in agreement.
‘Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of things you can borrow,’ said Fiona, grabbing her bag. ‘Liam’s having a nap upstairs. I’ll dash back to mine, throw a few outfits in a bag and be back here before you know it. Mum, why don’t you call on a few neighbours to see if they’ve got the right shortbread tin. Zoe, you stay here and watch Liam. If he wakes before Mum gets back, put him in front of the telly.’ She dashed out of the door before Zoe could argue and Morag followed without even taking a coat.
Zoe sat at the table, the only sound the kettle as it came to the boil. She made a cup of tea, and went back to Instagram. She now had over five thousand followers, and the castle’s account wasn’t far behind. People were discovering the shirtless photos she’d taken of the #HotEarlofKinloch brandishing a broadsword on the battlements and were losing their shit. Zoe let out a groan. When Rory found out, he was going to hit the roof. She sent him another text.
Zoe: Call me asap. Everything fine but I HAVE to speak to you. Love you xxx.
Morag was soon back, holding an embossed tin. ‘Got one! Now let’s sort out this secret recipe.’ She passed Zoe a dirty and well-thumbed recipe book and Zoe read out the ingredients for shortbread as Morag put them on the kitchen table and turned on the oven. ‘What should we do for the spices?’
Zoe shrugged. ‘Have you got any mixed spice? That should do it.’
Morag rummaged about in a drawer, pulling out jars. ‘I’ve got a couple of oranges in the fruit bowl, maybe we could add some zest?’
‘Good idea, and a pinch of cayenne pepper?’
Morag laughed. ‘Well, you did promise him spice!’
They mixed and measured and Zoe made a note of the quantities, just in case the castle could sell it at a later date. Fiona arrived back as it was being put in the oven.
‘Did Liam wake up?’
‘Sleeping like a baby,’ Morag reassured her.
Fiona looked relieved and held up her bags. ‘There’s bound to be something you like here, or at least don’t hate. Let’s go upstairs and see what you think.’
‘Use my room so you don’t disturb Liam. Don’t worry about the shortbread, I’ll keep an eye on it,’ said Morag.
Zoe took a bag from Fiona and the two of them went upstairs to Morag’s room and laid everything out on the bed. Before Zoe tried anything on, she removed the calendar of Brad from the wall and laid it face down on the bedside table. They eventually settled on a deep purple dress in a fifties style. It ended just below the knees and was nipped in at the waist, with a wide neckline that showed off her neck and shoulders.
Fiona checked her over and smiled. ‘You’re going to knock him dead, Zoe. I’ll put your hair up as well and do your make-up.’
Zoe grimaced, then changed back into her jeans and they went downstairs as the shortbread came out of the oven.
‘It smells incredible!’ said Zoe.
‘Doesn’t it just!’ replied Morag. ‘I thought we could try this, then make a second batch as a back-up, or in case we need to tweak the ingredients. Let me put the kettle on.’ Morag made them a cup of tea and they sat, waiting for the tea and shortbread to cool down. The back door opened and Jamie walked in.
‘Something smells good! Hi, Zo, what’s it like hobnobbing with the stars?’
‘Come in, son. Kettle’s boiled and I’ve just made the famous Kinloch spiced shortbread,’ announced Morag, getting up.
‘The what?’ He put his bag down and sat at the table. Fiona put a piece of shortbread in front of him and he took a bite. ‘This is lovely.’ He chewed, swallowed, then coughed. ‘Hang on, it’s got a bit of a kick! What the hell have you put in it?’
Zoe, Morag and Fiona tried it. ‘I think we put a bit too much cayenne in it,’ said Morag. ‘Next batch let’s put in less.’
‘What are you up to? You’re not giving this to Mr Hollywood, are you?’ asked Jamie. ‘He’ll sue the shirt off your back.’
‘Zoe’s been telling him porky pies about Kinloch and he’s insisted he tries the famous Kinloch Castle spiced shortbread for himself,’ Fiona replied. ‘Zoe’s going to bring it to him tonight.’
Jamie turned to Zoe. ‘You seeing him again? What does he want?’
‘He’s making a sequel to Braveheart and wants to do some of the filming here, at the castle and the cabin. We’re going to The King’s Arms tonight to discuss it over dinner.’
