Page 23 of Chasing a Highland Dream

Bliss

to accompany it.

When she arrived back at the apartment with a panting Beau, Granny Isla was up and drinking tea by the unlit fire. ‘Oh, there you are, I thought perhaps you’d been lured away by the temptation of chocolate from our new neighbour.’ She laughed lightly at her own joke.

Bella smiled. ‘Granny, you’re terrible. Is there any more tea in the pot?’

‘Oh aye. It’ll be nice and strong how you like it.’ Beau trotted up to his owner and rested his head on her lap. ‘And have you been a good lad?’ she asked the dog, who wagged his tail eagerly.

Bella poured herself a mug of tea and scoffed as she shouted through from the kitchen. ‘He didn’t start off that well.’

Isla shook her head at the dog. ‘You didn’t go chasing babbits, did you? You wee scamp.’

Bella chuckled at her granny’s choice of words. ‘No, it wasn’t babbits. It was peoples!’

Isla lifted her chin; her eyes were wide. ‘Peoples? Oh no! Who did he chase?’

Bella raised her eyebrows and gave a knowing look. ‘Who do you think?’

Isla raised her hand to cover her mouth, possibly to try to disguise her amusement. ‘The Milk Tray Man?’

‘Maybe call him Aiden, eh?’

‘Was he cross?’

‘He was at first but then he saw the funny side, thank goodness.’

‘He’ll be regretting coming to Drumblair, thanks to us, eh, Beau?’

Bella giggled. ‘In Aiden’s position, I might feel the same. He’s had an eventful twelve hours, that’s for sure.’

‘Did he seem nice? You know, once he’d calmed down?’ Isla asked while tugging at her sleeve. Her attempts at nonchalance failed miserably.

‘Nice enough, Granny, but remember I’ve told you to stop trying to fix me up with every man you come across. First that care worker, then Sergeant Donaldson, now Aiden the writer. You’ll be wearing nappies and firing arrows next.’

Isla gave a deep sigh. ‘I want you to be happy, dearie.’

Guilt niggled at Bella. ‘I know, and I love you for it. But I don’t need a man to make me happy.’

Isla waved a dismissive hand. ‘Aye, I know, I know. I’m an interfering old fool. But I won’t be around forever, and I want to know you’re taken care of.’

Bella laughed rather too loudly. ‘Granny, you’ll be around for years yet, so stop saying things like that, will you? And I can take care of myself. Like I said, I don’t⁠—’

‘Need a man, yes, yes. I hear you loud and clear. I’ll stop. I know when my help’s not wanted.’

Bella rolled her eyes, knowing full well her granny was incapable of stopping when it came to matchmaking.

There was a knock at the door and Bella went to answer it. ‘Hey, Olivia. How are you doing?’

The two friends hugged. ‘I’m good, thanks. Brodie has gone into Inverness to get his car serviced, and I thought I’d pop round and see if you fancy doing something. If you’re not already busy.’ Bella gestured for her come in and the two women walked into the living room.

Bella glanced over at her granny, who waved. ‘Hi, Lady Olivia. Feel free to whisk my granddaughter away. She sees enough of my old wrinkly face.’

Bella fought the urge to roll her eyes again. ‘I need to chase up the insurers and get a timescale from the builder, though.’

Isla waved her hand. ‘You can do that later, or on your mobile. And anyway, it’s Saturday, go on and enjoy yourselves, you deserve a break, the pair of you.’

Bella shrugged and turned back to Olivia. ‘Sounds good then. What are you thinking of doing? Are you sure you can spare the time? It’s not like you to be all calm with a week to go until the grand opening.’