Page 49 of Chasing a Highland Dream

Isla turned her attention to the dog. ‘Oh, bloody hell, you wee scamp, you’re no’ meant to be doing that! You’ll get us evicted!’

Dougie stood and swiped sweat from his brow with his forearm. ‘Hi, Bella, nice to see you, and don’t worry, he’s actually digging in a place where I’m going to plant a rosebush.’ He laughed and scratched his nose, creating a muddy patch on his face. ‘Take no notice, wee Beau, you’re doing me a favour.’ His phone pinged and he took off his gardening gloves to check the screen. ‘Ah, that’s my other half. The Cullen Skink’s ready so I’d better be off afore I get into strife wi’ the wife.’ He chuckled. ‘Enjoy the sunshine, ladies.’ Marriage certainly seemed to agree with Dougie, he’d had a spring in his step since his wedding to Mirren and could often be heard whistling these days.

When they were alone again, Isla turned to Bella. ‘How come you’re back so early? I thought you’d be busy gazing into that murder writer’s eyes.’

Bella folded her arms. ‘Hmm, the least said about that situation the better, Granny.’

‘He didn’t admit to a grizzly plot to chop you up, did he?’ Isla chuckled.

‘Thankfully, no. But he did make me out to be some kind of airhead with no social etiquette.’

‘That’s nearly as bad. Why would he say such a thing?’

Bella realised even though he had peed her off, there was little she could say under the circumstances. ‘Oh, don’t worry about it. I don’t think he’ll be wanting to take me out again any time soon.’

‘Ah, well, that’s no great loss. I mean, he’s not from around here and long-distance romance is a hard thing to deal with.’

Her granny had a point. ‘That’s true. Anyway, are we going to call my dad and sing happy birthday to him?’

24

By 9.30 on the morning of Saturday, 23 July, the sun was out, and people had started to arrive for the castle opening day. Bella stood with Olivia in the gift shop, where the castle tours and grounds passes were to be purchased. All three gift shop staff were in with it being the first day, smiles on their faces and an almost palpable excitement radiating from them.

‘How are you holding up?’ Bella asked Olivia, knowing it would be an emotional day for her.

Olivia sighed, linked her arm through Bella’s and rested her head on her shoulder. ‘I’m okay. I keep thinking about Mum and wondering what she would have made of all this.’

Bella squeezed her. ‘I think the fact the sun came out is all the reply you need, my lovely.’

Olivia lifted her head, and her eyes glistened as she looked out of the window. ‘Brodie said the same thing. It’s amazing.’

At 10 a.m., Olivia stood at the front of the castle on a small podium. A red ribbon had been strung across the main entrance way. Brodie stood in the crowd, his eyes scanning everywhere, no doubt for the elusive Kerr.

The crowd quietened and Olivia cleared her throat. ‘Good morning, everyone, I’m so happy to welcome you here to Drumblair Castle for our grand opening.’ Applause rang out. ‘We have some fantastic events planned throughout the day, such as face painting, the obligatory bouncy castle, stalls selling crafts from some extremely talented local artisans, food and drink and, of course, live music.’ The crowd cheered again. ‘Now, you may have heard rumours we have a special guest here to open the event and I’m excited to introduce a Hollywood actor who you will no doubt know from the box office hit and award-winning movie The Girl and the Rose, please give a warm Drumblair welcome to Ruby Locke!’

A collective gasp travelled the crowd, followed by a raucous applause as the stunning, fiery-haired, heavily pregnant woman walked up onto the podium, a wide smile on her face as she raised her hand to wave to her fans. ‘Hi there, everyone!’ Ruby said in her soft Yorkshire accent. ‘It’s absolutely wonderful to be here today to help celebrate the opening of this stunning castle. I heard about Drumblair from some very good friends of mine and when I was told they needed a celebrity to carry out the official opening, I said, “Ooooh, if there are giant scissors involved, will I do instead? I’ve always wanted a pair of them!”’ Laughter rumbled through the crowd. When everyone had quietened down again, she continued. ‘Seriously, though, it’s an absolute honour to be here.’ Innes stepped forward with the giant scissors and handed them to the star.

‘I know Lady Olivia and her team have worked so hard to make this place a venue for weddings, open-air concerts, tours and school visits to name but a few of the events on the agenda, and I’m sure her parents would be so proud of what she’s achieved. So without further ado, I’d like to officially declare Drumblair Castle… open to the public!’ She cut the red ribbon with the comedy scissors and the crowd erupted once more with cheers and applause. ‘Right, I’m nicking these babies!’ Ruby said as she pretended to run off with the scissors and everyone howled with laughter.

Bella found Olivia with Ruby, surrounded by visitors, as the actor signed autographs and posed for selfies, even Granny Isla got one. When Ruby was ushered away by a burly security guard, Olivia was free and Bella hugged her.

‘She’s so lovely,’ Olivia enthused. ‘Her security detail has whisked her away to get a drink and have a break. She’s seven months pregnant so he’s being extra vigilant with her. They’re heading back to Skye later on today.’

Bella gave an incredulous laugh. ‘Here you are talking about Ruby Locke as if she’s just some ordinary woman you know! And here I am thinking how the hell did you get Ruby flipping Locke?’

Olivia tapped her nose. ‘It’s not what you know…’

‘So you’re not going to tell me?’

Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘Okay, okay, so Nina designed a dress for her to wear to the Oscars and during their design sessions they got talking about castles with her movie being set in one. Nina was telling her about me inheriting this place and she said there should be a movie about it, then she told her we were looking for someone to officially open the castle. Never in a million years did I expect Nina to call me to say Ruby had agreed to do it. It was a huge surprise and I’ve been desperate to tell you, but I had to keep it quiet. Forgive me?’

‘Totally forgiven! It’s incredible!’ Bella said. ‘I need a selfie with her before she leaves!’

Olivia was set to take the very first castle tour with the public and Bella could see she was visibly shaking.

‘You do know you’ll be great, don’t you, Liv? It’s your home. If anyone can make this work, it’s you.’

Olivia lifted a shaky hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. ‘I’ve never been so terrified.’ This was followed with a nervous giggle, something Olivia was rarely seen to do.