Page 30 of Chasing a Highland Dream

‘Well, there was nothing particularly personal about it. Not in the way you’re suggesting, anyway.’

Aiden took a sip of his drink. ‘He definitely likes you. I can tell. I’m good at reading people. I suppose it comes with writing. I spend a lot of time watching folk and observing their behaviour. Learning what makes them tick.’

‘Ah, well, you’re slightly off the mark this time. I only met him properly last night. I’ve seen him from a distance before and he played at Olivia’s birthday celebration but that’s about it. Didn’t you hear my granny embarrass me by introducing us in the midst of the chaos?’

He scowled. ‘Oh yes, of course.’ He tapped his head. ‘I made the Blind Date comment.’ He chuckled. ‘It must have slipped my mind, probably because I’m subconsciously trying to block out the events of last night.’

Bella bit her lip. ‘Whoops, yes, sorry about that.’ She paused briefly. ‘Anyway, last night was the first time I’d actually spoken to the man. Although my granny has been dropping hints about him being good husband material,’ she huffed.

‘And you don’t agree?’

She tilted her head. ‘Is nosiness a part of being a writer too?’

He cringed. ‘Okay, fair point. I’ll stop prying.’ There were a few moments of silence where they sat, faces tilted towards the sun. The breeze had dropped, and the only sound was birdsong. ‘She’s a character, your gran,’ Aiden said eventually.

‘People often say so. There’s never a dull moment with her, that’s for sure.’

He laughed. ‘Yes, I can tell that’s the case. She dotes on you too. Are your parents still around?’

‘They are. They’re on a European cruise for my dad’s sixtieth birthday just now, they went yesterday. But I live with Granny because my old room was turned into an office slash gym when I first left home.’

He chuckled. ‘Ah, that old chestnut. Same happened to me except mine was turned into a room for my dad’s model railway when I went off to university. Bloody massive that thing was. It had all the little trees and people. It was quite cool really,’ he said with a tinge of sadness.

‘Are yours still around? Your parents, I mean.’

He glanced down at his feet. ‘Yes and no. My mum had early onset dementia and Dad was her carer. He couldn’t cope when she’d gone and kind of gave up for a long time. He’s remarried now but it’s not quite the same. I don’t see much of him. I don’t exactly feel welcome. The new woman isn’t keen on me.’

Bella’s heart sank. ‘Oh, Aiden, I’m so sorry.’

‘Thanks. It’s been a while now. Still stings, though, even at thirty-four.’

‘Do you have any brothers or sisters?’ Bella asked, intrigued to know more.

‘Nope. Just me.’

‘That must be hard.’

He nodded. ‘It can be.’ He rubbed his free hand over his face and gave a strained laugh. ‘Anyway… bloody hell, sorry for dragging you down even further.’ He laughed. ‘You didn’t need my sob story.’

She shook her head. ‘No, don’t apologise. So, where did the name O’Dowd come from? You don’t sound Irish.’

‘I was born in Northern Ireland, near Derry. My folks moved over to Ullapool when I was wee to run a pub, so I grew up there. I’ve been back to Ireland to visit a few times out of interest, but I consider myself more Scottish really. How about you?’

‘Inverness born and raised,’ Bella replied. ‘I love Scotland. I love Inverness and I don’t think I ever want to leave.’

‘So, you don’t fancy checking out life in any other countries?’

Bella took a long look around her surroundings. ‘Can’t say I do, no. Not even any other Scottish cities, to be honest. My heart’s here in the Highlands. I don’t mind the idea of visiting other places, but I’ll always want to come home.’

‘Fair play to you. I love Scotland, too, but I live in London these days. Easier for the job.’

Bella couldn’t imagine living in a city as big as London. Too busy, too much traffic, too much pollution. ‘Is that where your publisher’s based?’

‘It is, yes.’ He didn’t elaborate and Bella felt his demeanour change a little. ‘Well, I suppose I should get back to it. This book isn’t going to write itself.’

Bella took the hint and stood. ‘Do you write under your own name? Only I’m huge crime fiction reader and couldn’t find your books under Aiden O’Dowd.’

He lifted his laptop and tucked it under his arm. ‘So you Googled me, eh?’ he asked with a glint in his eye.