Page 21 of Chasing a Highland Dream

‘Hey, are you okay?’ Bella asked Olivia.

Olivia smiled and shook her head. ‘I should be asking you that. Can you believe he just turned up like that? I wish he’d let me know sooner he was coming early, like a week or so, instead of ringing on my mobile and then turning up unannounced when I hadn’t approved it, and sneaking around like that. Your poor granny. She must have been terrified.’

Bella smiled too. ‘Nah, she’s a tough old boot. Nothing much fazes her. You saw what she did to Kerr with her handbag on the night of the fashion show. Anyway, don’t worry; she was right as rain when I left her. I feel so bad for the poor guy. He must be wondering what he’s let himself in for.’

‘Oh no, don’t be silly. I think he probably knows he made a mistake.’

Sergeant Donaldson approached them, and Bella flitted her gaze around the room, anywhere that meant she could avoid eye contact with him. He cleared his throat. ‘Lady Olivia, PC Sherburn and I shall go now if you’re happy everything is sorted.’

‘Have you had a drink and a snack at least?’

He raised a hand. ‘No, it’s fine, we’re heading back to the station to hand over but thank you.’

‘Thanks, sergeant. I’m so sorry you had a wasted journey, but it was better to be safe,’ Olivia replied.

The man nodded. ‘Oh, absolutely. Never apologise for calling us out if you feel we can help.’ He turned to Bella. ‘Nice to meet you officially, Arabella. It’s good to put a face to a name as they say. Your granny’s quite the character.’

Bella laughed lightly as her face warmed to furnace level. ‘That’s one way of putting it. And please, call me Bella.’

‘In that case, I’m Harris,’ he replied with a warm smile that brightened his whole face. Apart from the night of the birthday party, he always looked quite serious. She resisted the urge to say he should smile more often then perhaps he wouldn’t appear so intimidating.

‘I’m Mel,’ the female officer said as she held out her hand.

‘Good to meet you, Mel,’ Bella said as she shook it. ‘That’s a Yorkshire accent, isn’t it?’

Mel nodded with a grin. ‘Aye, it is. Well spotted. West Yorkshire, actually.’

‘How come you’re up here?’

‘My husband Neil’s job, he bought a garage, does car repairs. Glad we moved, though. Love it up here.’ Bella instantly liked Mel. She had a warm smile and an accent to match.

Bella nodded. ‘Oh, good. I love it too but I’m slightly biased, I suppose, as I was born up the road. Anyway, thanks again, Mel and Sergeant— I mean Harris.’

Harris smiled, gave a single nod and turned to his colleague. ‘Come on, Mel. Let’s get back to the station.’ The female officer smiled and silently followed him out of the gift shop.

‘Did you send some food down to the writer bloke?’ Bella asked once the police had left.

‘I did. Uncle Innes took it. He’s such a diplomat, I thought it best. He says Mr O’Dowd had calmed down and was very happy with the apartment, so that’s a relief.’

‘Well, that’s good. I hope I can keep out of his way. I get the feeling I’m not going to be entirely popular with the guy.’

Olivia nudged her. ‘Don’t be daft. You’re popular with everyone.’

Bella smiled widely. ‘Aye, if only that were true.’

13

The following morning, Bella felt surprisingly fresh considering the beer, wine, whisky and cheese combination of the night before, not to mention the drama. She had woken earlier than normal for a weekend and had lain there for a while in the cosy room, thinking the bed was way too comfy to get out of without at least giving sleep another chance.

After unsuccessfully trying to return to the dream she’d been having about being serenaded by Harry Styles, she decided to get up. She could hear her granny’s loud snores coming from her bedroom; the excitement of the flood and then the police the night before must have knocked her for six, which wasn’t at all like her. She was up before the lark under normal circumstances.

After taking a quick shower and dressing in jeans and a warm jumper, Bella pulled on her jacket, left her granny sleeping, and decided to take Beau for his morning constitutional around the grounds. He wagged his tail eagerly as she clipped on his harness. There would no doubt be deer and rabbits around and she couldn’t trust the little fella not to go darting off to chase something.

As she stepped through the front door into the fresh morning air, she inhaled a deep breath and smiled. There were definitely worse places to wake up in. It was a bright but chilly July Saturday at around 7.30 and the sun was on its ascent. She could see the huge, majestic oak trees above the roof of the stables swaying gently in the breeze, making a low whooshing sound that reminded Bella of the sea. The flower-filled planters in the centre of the courtyard glistened with tiny droplets of water that resembled diamonds when the rising sun glinted on them, and even though it wasn’t yet warm, the air was fresh and clean. It was a shame this arrangement was only temporary; she could get used to having this view on her doorstep and she was determined to make the most of living in such a beautiful place.

She spotted sudden movement by the entrance to the courtyard. Unfortunately, Beau saw it too and let out a high-pitched yip, at which point he yanked her forward and she tripped over her feet trying to gain some purchase on the damp cobbles. In the commotion, Beau’s lead slipped through her fingers, rendering him free to pounce, and he went shooting off like a bullet.

‘Beau! Come back right now!’ Bella screeched.