“Thank you! That’s so kind!”
“We need a table,” Cameron interrupts. “Quietest one you have.”
Isla rolls her eyes. “You never change, do you, Cam? All right, all right. Follow me.”
She starts weaving through the tables. As we make our way through the room, chatter dies down and people stare at me. “Don’t mind them,” Isla says conspiratorially. “They’re just not used to strangers. Especially strangers who look like…” She waves a hand over me. “Well.”
“Well?” I look down at myself. “Well what?”
“Like they fell out of a magazine. Your lipgloss is slightly blinding, and we’re a big anorak town. Besides.” She flashes Cameron a grin. “They’re probably amazed to see McLeod with a woman. Here we are.” She leads us to a worn table next to the fireplace. “A niceprivatetable for two.” She winks.
Cameron ignores her, pulling out a chair. I wait for him to sit in it so I can move past him, but he stays standing.
“Sit,” he orders through gritted teeth.
Oh. He’s pulling it out for me. “What a gentleman!” I say, flopping down.
A muscle tics in his jaw. He sits opposite me. His massive body looks like it barely fits in the carved chair.
Isla claps her hands. “So what can I get you both? The usual for you, Cameron, I suppose? And for you, love?”
I scan the menu. “Um…I’ll have a lemonade. And…”
“Pie,” Cameron says. When I look at him, he just shrugs. “Only good thing they make.”
“He’s right,” Isla admits, putting her hands on her hips. I suddenly notice the sparkle on her finger.
“Oh wow, your ring is gorgeous. You’re getting married?”
“Aye, in June. My fiancée—Emmy—wants to do it by the loch in the summer.”
“Congratulations! That’s so soon.”
She pulls a face. “God. I know. Still don’t have anything to wear yet.”
“You don’t?” I practically shout.
She looks slightly taken aback at my enthusiasm. “No. It’s a bit of a nightmare, honestly. Emmy wants to do this whole photoshoot, but I don’t know where to start with all that hair and makeup crap, and I want to work that out before I drop a mint on the outfit. I suppose I’ll have to hire someone, but I don’t know what I’d even ask for.”
Oh my God. “Isla.” I lean in, eyes wide. “Pleaselet me help you.”
She blinks. “You what?”
I’m probably coming on too strong. I force myself to tone it down. “I’m here for the next week. And Ilovemakeovers. I can help you work out your wedding hair and makeup. I’ll teach you how to do it on the day, and you won’t have to hire someone. I can help you pick out your outfit too, if you want?”
She blinks, glancing at Cameron. “Well…I wouldn’t want to put you out?—”
“Isla, look at my eyeliner,” I order.
She obediently examines my eyes. “Aye, it’s very nice.”
“It’sperfectlysymmetrical,” I inform her. “Because this is my calling in life. Fashion and beauty is, like, my one talent.Pleaselet me help.”
She laughs. “Well, aye. If you want to, I won’t say no. McLeod can give you my number?—”
“She hasn’t eaten,” Cameron cuts in pointedly.
“Right, right. Two pies, coming right up. Thanks, sweetheart.” She bustles off.
