Page 54 of A Scottish Highland Surprise

I threw on my pretty sky-blue sun dress dotted with daisies and my comfy white ballet pumps, before freeing my hair from its haphazard ponytail and scooping it into a side plait.

Once I’d squirted a spray of my favourite Jo Malone perfume and applied some beige eye shadow, black mascara, a flash of rose blusher and my favourite candy-pink lipstick, I gave over the use of the staff bathroom to Cass, who had also brought a change of clothes with her.

Mum and Dad had shot home in the car to freshen up and returned just as Innes was showing up in the rear car park and off-loading huge Tupperware boxes of scones that were steaming up the sides of their plastic containers. My stomach let out a loud growl of appreciation.

Cass appeared in a floaty beige skirt and lacy cream top, with her conker-brown hair styled in an up-do, showing off her big eyes. “Oh, my goodness!” She laughed at the sight of Innes traipsing through the back door of The Cup That Cheers, clutching the boxes of scones. They were permeating the air with a warm, sweet, floury scent. “Do you think we have got enough there?”

Dad rolled his eyes and ran self-conscious fingers down his silky claret tie. “Just like her mother, this one. Catering for ten thousand when fifty will do.”

“You didn’t have to wear a tie, Dad,” I said with a smile, knowing he was far more comfortable in his polo shirts.

Dad pulled a disgruntled expression. “Try telling that to your mother. She had to crowbar me into this suit.”

“Well, you look very smart.”

A clinking sound travelled out to the car park from inside the shop. Mum emerged in her peach shift dress and matching linen jacket. Her red bob swung around her face.

“Dora from the WI has just dropped off those huge urns for dispensing hot water.” She gave a wide but somewhat nervous grin. “It’s almost time for you to open that door, sweetheart.”

I gestured to Cass, my stomach exploding like a nest of butterflies. The hands on my watch were creeping towards 10a.m. This was it. This was the day I had been working towards. This was the moment my Gran had wanted for herself and now for me. I took a sharp breath. “Right, ladies and gents, let’s do this.”

The footfall was enthusiastic and brisk, once I peeled away the canvas from the shop window to reveal the display, complete with the specially commissioned Briar Glen tea set taking centre stage.

Scones were devoured, teacups rattled and there was a polite but enthusiastic buzz of conversation.

I was delighted to see a few of my former work colleagues from Castle Marrian in attendance; they had come along to support me, and waved at me from the back of the throng. I had sent them an email, inviting them to the opening of The Cup That Cheers, and sure enough, Derek, Connie, Ivy and Stacey clapped and smiled along with the rest of the locals as the shop opened its doors for the first time.

I’d spotted Xander amongst the crowd too, head and shoulders above everybody else, but there was no sign of Jake yet. Thank goodness. I hoped that whatever the problem was with him and Xander, it wouldn’t erupt in a shouting match at our inaugural opening. Seeing as I hadn’t heard from Jake lately, perhaps he wouldn’t come or had forgotten about the shop opening being today anyway.

I was finishing up serving another customer, who was buying the Astley tea set in rose gold as an engagement present for her niece, when Xander emerged inside the shop, holding a cup and saucer.

“Congratulations,” he said.

Cass took over at the counter, while I stepped to one side. Mum, I noticed, had switched the music on the iPod to play her favourite, Michael Bublé. As his velvety tones sang about only having eyes for you, Xander took a considered sip of his tea.

Every so often, Cass flicked him a discreet look of pink-tinged appreciation while she rang through purchases. I had to admit he did look very handsome in his open-necked lemon shirt and black silk waistcoat, even if he was a grouchy sod.

I had come to notice the way his dark brows arched whenever he was talking about something serious…

“So,” I announced, trying to stay focused. “I’m going to read more of Victor Prentice’s diaries tonight. I know you think I have a fertile imagination, but from where I’m standing, I think this Jonathan Gray must have done something awful for his family to up sticks and sell Castle Marrian like that.”

Xander fixed me to the spot with his gaze. “A woman with a mission, eh?”

I felt my back go ramrod-straight. “Are you teasing me?”

Xander’s eyes were difficult to read. He opened his mouth to say something, when there was a movement at my shoulder. Xander’s mouth flat-lined.

“Hey! Sophie. Sorry I’m late. Things to do, people to see, you know?”

I buried a wriggle of annoyance at Jake’s languid excuses. It sounded as if he thought it was hardly worth coming along. Beside me, Xander’s expression was thunderous.

So much for them not spotting one another.

Jake’s easy smile swivelled away from me. When he noticed who I was chatting to, he grinned wider and swept Xander from head to toe with a gloating expression. “Well, look who it is! Hi, Xander. How’s it going?”

Xander placed his cup and saucer down on the counter. He couldn’t bring himself to make eye contact with Jake. “Well, thanks. You?”

There was something provocative about Jake’s demeanour. “Oh, you know. Commissions going well. Very busy. How is the world of the art critic?”