Page 7 of Chasing a Highland Dream

‘Well, I think you could give that flamboyant interior design chappy Lulu Lemon off the telly a run for his money, don’t you think so, Beau?’ Isla chuckled and the dog appeared from the direction of the bedrooms, wagging his tail, clearly in agreement. ‘All you need is a twiddly moustache and gaudy suit.’

Bella presumed she was referring to Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as they had watched his makeover shows together many times. ‘Aww, thank you. But I think I’ll give the moustache a miss if you don’t mind.’

‘Hello, hello! Anyone home?’ Olivia’s voice called from the front door and as she walked into the living room, she enveloped them each in turn in a warm hug. ‘Isla, wow, you’re looking very glam. I’m loving the purple hair.’ She bent to give Beau a scratch behind the ears.

‘Och, thank you. You’re no’ looking so bad yoursel’, hen. I think you’re wearing castle life verra well.’ Bella noted the way her granny feigned poshness in front of the new Lady MacBain and tried not to giggle.

‘Thank you. I must admit I’m loving it now I’m getting the hang of everything. But I wouldn’t be where I was now if it wasn’t for your granddaughter. Bella has been a huge help to me.’

Isla smiled up at Bella. ‘Aye, she’s a good lass. We need to find her a man as good as yours now. I was trying to tell her earlier about a nice, handsome policeman I know but she won’t hear of it.’

Bella felt her cheeks heating. ‘I’m capable of finding my own man, Granny.’

Olivia gave a wink. ‘As far as I’m aware, you already have, haven’t you? Although you haven’t mentioned him in a while.’ Bella’s stomach lurched at the mention of her secret relationship and she felt her face flush. ‘Isla, you and I will have to meet up to have a chat so you can fill me in on the gossip,’ Olivia teased.

Isla opened her mouth to speak but Bella quickly interrupted, ‘Oh, no, actually that’s all over now. But enough about my love life. Yours is far nicer to talk about.’

‘It’s all over between you and the mystery man? Aww, I’m sorry,’ Olivia said with a pout.

‘Aye, it has been for a while. But I’m fine. Anyway, is Brodie around? I wanted to ask him how his book is going.’

Childhood friends Brodie and Olivia had connected again after a long time apart. He had been Olivia’s first love but she’d had no idea back then that he’d held the same feelings for her, mainly on account of the fact he had been rather mean to her before he moved away with his mother. An abusive relationship had left Brodie somewhat bruised both physically and emotionally, but thanks to Olivia he had found love again. Since their reconnection, Brodie had embarked upon a passion project and had been gathering information about Drumblair Castle, a place he had been familiar with and had loved since childhood, in order to write a book. The plan was to sell it in the castle gift shop when the place finally opened to the public in July. While she was working on the apartments, Bella had been reading pages of the book as it was being written and had learned all sorts of fascinating stuff about the castle and its legendary connections to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

‘He finished editing it!’ Olivia informed her excitedly. ‘It’s gone off to the printers.’

Bella was truly delighted. ‘That’s incredible. What an achievement. Let him know I want a signed copy.’

Olivia beamed with pride. ‘I think that can be arranged, seeing as you were his first reader.’

‘He should try to get it published instead of just printing it for the castle shop.’

Olivia nodded and held her hands out at her sides. ‘Yup. I’ve told him the same, but he insists no publisher would take it. Ooh, speaking of writers. I have news!’

Bella could see the excitement glinting in Olivia’s eyes and her interest was piqued. ‘Spill it, MacBain.’

‘Okay, so, we had an email yesterday from the agent of a writer who is looking for somewhere to stay while he completes his next crime thriller. A sort of writing retreat, if you will. I wasn’t expecting news to get around so fast, but she knows someone who lives in the area who told her about the castle and the renovations and she has asked if he can come and stay for a while. I’m not entirely sure how long, but isn’t it exciting?’

Bella widened her eyes. ‘Your first paying customer, that is exciting. And I love a crime thriller!’

Olivia grinned. ‘I know, I immediately thought of you when she told me what he was working on.’

‘Is it anyone I’ve heard of? Maybe I’ve read something of his.’

Olivia pursed her lips for a moment. ‘Sadly, no. Well, not that I’ve seen when I’ve Googled his name.’

Bella’s stomach set about fluttering with butterflies. ‘Which is?’

‘Aiden O’Dowd,’ Olivia said with a smile. ‘I’ve searched and searched but can’t find anything about him.’

Bella racked her brains but couldn’t place the name. She’d read hundreds of thrillers, and crime fiction stories, and felt sure she would know if she had read anything by him. ‘No, that doesn’t ring a bell with me. Maybe he’s quite new.’

Olivia shrugged. ‘I don’t think so. She said he’s been writing a while. It’s apparently set in a castle, so she thought it would be the perfect place for inspiration.’

Bella grinned. ‘Oh, well, another author for me to discover. When is he coming to stay?’

‘He’s moving in sometime around 23 July, I believe.’

Bella widened her eyes. ‘But that’s opening day for the castle! Talk about adding to the stress pile.’