Page 64 of Chasing a Highland Dream

Thursday was wet and Bella spent the day in the castle library, typing up correspondence for Olivia. She hadn’t left the room all day, even though the sun had been shining in between showers.

‘Hey, honey, isn’t it time you were going home?’ Olivia asked as she poked her head around the large oak door.

Bella glanced at her watch. It was almost six in the evening. She rubbed at her eyes. ‘Sorry, I’d totally lost track of time.’

Olivia entered and sat in the chair opposite where Bella sat at the desk. ‘Is everything okay?’

Bella nodded. There was no point saying anything now. She had missed her chance with Harris. A chance she didn’t even realise she wanted. ‘Oh yes, you know me, fine and dandy.’

Olivia tilted her head. ‘You should tell that to your eyes, missy.’

Bella quickly changed the subject. ‘Any news from Kerr?’

Olivia huffed. ‘Innes received a text message from him finally this morning. All he said was he’s fine but he’s not coming back. When pressed, he refused to say where he is. I can’t be bothered with the worry. Brodie says I’ve to let it go and I’m beginning to think he’s right. While he’s not here he’s not causing upset, which is an awful way to think about my own brother, but sadly, it’s a fact. Oh, and he is still renting the house out, so at least I know where he’s getting his money from!’

‘And at least you know he’s still alive.’

‘That’s true. Anyway, get yourself home; Isla will be thinking I’ve kidnapped you.’

‘I thought you’d disappeared into Bolivia,’ Isla said as Bella walked through the door.

Her granny always had those inadvertent ways of cheering her up, usually with her malapropisms. ‘No, Granny, sorry, I lost track of time.’

‘Well, come and sit down, I’ve made a beef stew and kept it warm. I hoped we could eat together.’

‘Thank you. I’ll go and change.’ Bella went to her room and changed into yoga pants and a baggy old Fleetwood Mac T-shirt that had once belonged to her dad. She returned to the kitchen and found a bowl of stew waiting for her.

‘Tuck in while it’s hot, hen. You look like you need it.’

Bella chewed a mouthful of the meat which melted on her tongue. ‘Granny, is everything okay? You’ve been quiet since we had Aiden round.’

Isla sighed and placed down her fork. ‘Aye, hen. Fine.’ Her tone was unconvincing to say the least. She paused and then continued, ‘It’s… that writer chappy doesn’t seem right in my mind. There’s something about him. Something Kermit-like.’

Bella was aware she wasn’t referring to the actual muppet. ‘He’s not like Kerr, Granny. He’s just a bit… I don’t know…’

‘Full of his own self-importance? Too big for his boots?’

Bella placed her own fork down. ‘What makes you say that?’ She couldn’t disagree with her.

‘The way he talked about Local Hero, the way he talked about those other authors. I mean sure, he’s entitled to his opinion, but his opinion left a bad taste in my mouth.’

So Isla had heard everything he’d said. ‘I thought you had gone to bed.’

‘I was on my way, but I was listening at the door of my room.’

‘In all honesty, I don’t see things going anywhere with him anyway, Granny. And he lives in London, which is very far away.’ Bella hoped this would put her granny’s mind at rest. ‘Someone very wise once told me that long-distance romance is too hard.’

‘Aye, that was a very sensible person. She must be an absolutely amazing woman. Certainly one to listen to.’ Isla winked and Bella reached to squeeze her hand.

29

Saturday was bright and once again the grounds of the castle were busy with people enjoying the sunshine that Drumblair had been blessed with.

Bella’s brother Callum had messaged her in the early hours of the morning to say he and their parents had landed back in Glasgow at midnight after their two-week cruise. She was looking forward to hearing all about it and seeing the gazillion photos that had no doubt been taken. She also needed to discuss plans with Callum to have a belated family birthday do for her dad, seeing as she hadn’t been there to celebrate his sixtieth.

It was the day of the tea dance that Harris had mentioned, and Isla had dressed up for the occasion in a lilac frock that complimented her freshly re-purpled hair. She’d been quite excited about going and Bella had enjoyed helping her with her make-up.

‘I don’t want too much on my eyes, hen, I don’t want to look like one of those drag racers,’ Isla had insisted.