Page 31 of Chasing a Highland Dream

‘Only because I love crime fiction,’ she replied. She didn’t mention she and her friends had tried to cyber stalk him while out for lunch, but it had proved fruitless.

‘Well, I write under a pseudonym. Sorry, I think I can hear my phone ringing. I left it in the kitchen. I’d better go, it’s probably my editor.’ Without saying anything else, he briskly walked inside to his apartment.

‘Rude,’ Bella mumbled. She hadn’t heard a phone ringing. All she was going to ask was for the name of his books so she could check them out, but he had seemed a little standoffish.

Bella let herself into their apartment. ‘Hi, Granny, I’m back.’ Beau ran to greet her, and she bent to quickly rub his belly when he rolled onto his back at her feet. ‘Hello, Beau, who’s a good boy, eh?’

‘He’s in the bad books, the wee scamp,’ Isla called from what now appeared to be her favourite chair by the log burner. ‘Raided the bin for the paper bag the ham came in while I was in the shower. Made a muckle mess on the floor.’

‘Beau! You little monster,’ Bella said with a giggle.

‘Did you have a lovely time, dearie?’ Isla asked.

Bella walked over and kissed her granny on the head. ‘I did until it was time to leave. I’m afraid I think Fifi is broken.’

Isla gasped. ‘What happened? Are you okay?’

Bella plonked herself down on the arm of the chair. ‘I’m absolutely fine but I’m not sure what damage was done to the car. I hit a pretty big pothole, so I think the wheel is knackered, and then there was steam coming from the bonnet. I have no idea what that was all about. I’m so sorry, Granny.’

Isla patted her leg. ‘Don’t be such a wee dafty. You’re more important than that old heap.’

Bella bent to rest her head on her gran’s. ‘I love that old heap. Mainly because she was yours.’

Isla shook her head. ‘You bampot. It’s a hunk of metal. It can be replaced. You, on the other hand, cannae.’

Bella stood and walked over to the sofa where she flopped down and hunched her shoulders. ‘It can’t be replaced, though, that’s the problem. I don’t have the cash. And without a car we’re a bit stuck.’

Isla waved her hand. ‘Och, pish. We’ll sort it out. Don’t you fret. It’s typical everything’s happening when your dad’s away though, eh? Oh, I forgot to say he messaged on the WhatsUp today. They’ve made it onto the boat and their rooms are very nice apparently, they’re having a lovely time by the sound of it. Anyway, I told him we’re both fine and they’ve to stop worrying and enjoy themselves and that we’ll call him on his birthday.’

‘Good. I’m glad they’re having a good time.’

Isla went silent for a moment and then with a confused frown asked, ‘Hang on, how did you get home if Fifi is broken? Taxi?’

‘I got a lift; the car has been taken to a garage in Inverness.’ She did her best to avoid telling her granny who had been her knight in shining armour for fear of building her hopes on the matchmaking front.

‘Did Brodie bring you home?’

Bella sighed, figuring she’d find out at the day centre anyway. ‘Actually no, he and Liv were going to see a show. I got a lift from… ahem… erm… Sergeant Donaldson.’

Isla’s eyes widened and she placed a hand over her heart. ‘He brought you home in a polis car? Did anyone see you? People will think you’ve been arrested! It’ll be the talk of the day centre.’

‘No, Granny, it’s fine. He was off duty. He brought me home on his motorbike.’

Isla gasped. ‘That’s even worse! They’re death traps, those things! Och, I don’t think you should do that again, hen.’ She fanned herself dramatically. ‘They’re no’ safe. You hear all sorts. You’d think someone of his standing would know better than to own a death machine.’

Bella remembered the expression on Harris’s face when she turned down his offer of a date. ‘I don’t think you need to worry about him offering again.’ She decided to change the subject. ‘Anyway, I’ve been chatting to our neighbour.’

‘Mr O’Dowd? Oh, how nice. Was he pleasant with you after last night and this morning? I feel terrible now I’ve had time to think about it all.’

Bella smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I think we’re forgiven. He was quite chatty.’

‘Shame he sounds Scottish, though. I do love an Irish brogue. I like that singer who has a nice speaking voice. What’s his name? He wears those sunglasses like Roy Orbison sometimes. I’ve seen him on the Tops of the Pops programme, though it’s a while ago. I don’t even think it comes on the television any more.’ She gestured to the back of her head. ‘He has a ponytail, which is a bit daft for a man of his years in my opinion… Bonio!’ she shouted, causing Bella to almost jump out of her skin. ‘Aye, Bonio, that’s him. Lovely singing voice too.’

‘I think you mean Bono, Granny, from the band U2?’

Her granny nodded. ‘Aye, that’s what a said.’

Bella smirked. ‘He seems pleasant enough, although he acted a bit funny when I asked him about his books. It was like he didn’t want me to know anything. Not the best way to sell them.’