Page 48 of Chasing a Highland Dream

‘My first book was published when I was twenty-two. I’m writing book number twenty right now. Once the words are flowing, I usually get things done quite quickly.’

‘Wow, that’s what you call prolific.’

‘Yeah, I suppose you could say that.’ Aiden fell silent but it was clear to Bella from his fidgeting and the way he kept opening his mouth and then closing it, following this with a frown, that he had something to say. Eventually he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. ‘I… I hate to ask this but… that photo you took of the two of us when we went out for dinner the other night… Did you share it around at all?’

Bella raised her eyebrows, a little perturbed by his question. ‘Did I share it around?’

He scratched his head. ‘Erm… yeah. Did you?’

‘Absolutely not, Aiden. Not after what you told me. I wouldn’t do that. And I wouldn’t share something of you, or anyone for that matter, without permission.’

With his eyes firmly fixed on her, he asked, ‘And you didn’t snap any photos of me before you knew my situation?’

Bella gave a humourless laugh. ‘Why would I take photos of some guy I’d just met and share them on my socials? That’d be weird.’

He sighed. ‘You can be honest with me. I won’t be upset. I mean you weren’t to know the weight of the situation; you don’t live in the world I live in. I mean you’re not… erm…’

‘Famous?’ she scoffed. ‘No, Aiden, but I have empathy and I do know how to behave.’

‘Oh yes, of course, I wasn’t suggesting anything to the contrary. It’s just you have quite a presence on social media, and you share photos very frequently. You seem to photograph a lot of what you do on a day-to-day basis, so I thought I’d ask.’

Bella flared her nostrils and tightened her jaw, she felt a little foolish knowing he had been checking up on her. ‘Well, if you’ve seen my social media accounts, you should know I haven’t posted the photograph, shouldn’t you?’ She was aware of how defensive she sounded, but the churning in her stomach told her it was justified. ‘And might I remind you the photo of us was your idea?’

He smiled fleetingly. ‘You’re angry with me. I wasn’t suggesting any malice, but people like you don’t often get it and sometimes act without thinking.’

Bella’s heart began to race again, only this time it was for completely different reasons. ‘People like me? What’s that supposed to mean? And how dare you say I would act without thinking? You don’t know me well enough to make such a bold assumption.’

He placed his cup on the coffee table – without a coaster. ‘You’re getting quite hostile, Bella.’

‘Is there any wonder?’

He huffed. ‘Look, everything’s coming out wrong. I didn’t mean it to sound so negative. I’ve been in this business for a long time and because I’m writing under a pseudonym, people don’t always take it seriously when authors like me receive threats because they don’t see my fame the same as, say, a popstar or an actor. But the truth is the fame is just as real. And along with the ones who adore us come the less savoury ones who don’t. I just… I received a message that led me to think you may have⁠—’

Up yourself much? Bella forced herself to calm down, inhaling deeply through her nose. ‘I can assure you, Aiden, people like me have a good understanding of the world and the common sense not to announce the whereabouts of someone who’s operating under an alias, and to be honest, I take offence at you insinuating I’d do such a thing. And frankly, I’m surprised you’d try to sleep with someone you deemed to be so incredibly dim. Or does intelligence not factor into things when you’re looking for gratification? Especially when you clearly see someone as an easy lay?’

The doorbell chimed before Aiden could respond. He stood and dashed for the door, his face rather red. ‘Ah, Sergeant Donaldson, come on in,’ she heard him say. ‘Bella’s here.’

Harris walked into the living room after Aiden, and after a pause where he seemed a little confused to see her, he gave Bella a nod. ‘Afternoon,’ he said in a stern tone. It was interesting how his demeanour changed when he was on duty. He was the epitome of stoic professionalism.

She plastered a positive expression on her face. ‘Hi, Harris, what a nice surprise.’

A fleeting smile flashed across his features. ‘Aye, good to see you, Bella. I hope your granny’s well. Please pass on my regards.’ He turned to Aiden. ‘Sorry I’m a bit late. I know I was supposed to be here at ten past twelve, but I got stuck behind a tractor.’

Bella glanced at her watch; it was only twenty past. Aiden had invited her for noon, so she was surprised to hear he had arranged for Harris to arrive so soon after her, especially after he’d tried to get her into bed moments after she had arrived. She wondered, considering his enquiries about her and the sergeant, if that had been the plan all along; for Harris to turn up while they were in bed and for Aiden to have the opportunity to let Harris know what was going on. He had commented on her relationship with Harris a few times since they had met now, and had said he was used to getting what he wanted, so maybe he felt he needed to somehow mark his territory. He clearly didn’t know her at all, she was no man’s property, and now she felt a little queasy at the notion he could be so possessive after only one night out.

She stood. ‘I presume you guys have got things to discuss, so I’ll leave you to it.’

Harris’s eyes widened. ‘Oh no, please don’t leave on my account. I can always come back.’ He smiled widely but the expression seemed forced and didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Far be it from me to interrupt a blossoming relationship.’

Bella turned towards Aiden. ‘Oh no, it’s fine, isn’t it, Aiden?’ Again, before he could respond, Bella turned to Harris. ‘Bye, Harris. I’ll be sure to pass your regards onto my granny, that was very kind of you.’ And with that firm assertion of neglect towards her host, she left, closing the front door quietly behind her, even though deep down she was seething.

She stopped off at her own apartment and quickly changed into jeans and a T-shirt – her lovely dress seemed sullied somehow now – grabbed a cardigan in case the temperature took a nosedive as it sometimes did in the Highlands, and left again.

She needed some air.

Bella found Isla and Beau in the walled garden. Isla was chatting to Brodie’s father, Dougie, about plants, and Beau was enthusiastically digging a hole in the dirt, his tongue lolling out as he worked.

‘Beau! You’re going to need a bath before you’re allowed in any of the carpeted rooms when we get back,’ Bella said. ‘Sorry, Dougie, he’s making a right old mess of your borders.’