Page 32 of Chasing a Highland Dream

‘He might have thought you were a grouper. He’s on a work retreat wanting a bit of peace and quiet, not to be pestered by groupers.’

Bella suddenly imagined an ugly, miserable-looking fish with her own blonde hair and had to fight the laughter threatening its escape. ‘I think you mean groupie, Gran.’

Isla rolled her eyes. ‘Aye, that’s what a said.’

17

On Monday, 18 July, Bella was up early after another fitful weekend lacking sleep. Her granny’s house was preying on her mind.

She showered and dressed and went to sit at the kitchen table to drink her first coffee of the day in the hopes it would wake her up. Her granny had been out sitting in the walled garden of the castle again with a copy of Brodie’s book since the crack of dawn. She couldn’t put it down and kept spouting off interesting facts at the most random of times. As Bella was sipping her drink, Isla came in, followed by her canine shadow.

‘I’m going to the day centre after all. Maeve has sent me a WhatsUp. Harris is on his way to collect me, isn’t that kind of him?’

Okay, so we’re back to trying to set me up with Harris again, are we? ‘Yes, that’s really nice of him, Granny. Although Olivia has given me the day off so I was going to ask if I could borrow her Land Rover to take you in.’

‘Oh, don’t worry, Maeve says it’s no bother.’

Bella decided to tease her granny. ‘Maybe he’ll collect you in his polis car and everyone will think you’ve been arrested.’

Her granny placed a hand on each cheek. ‘Och, no, I hadnae thought of that.’

Bella rolled her eyes. ‘I’m only teasing. I’m relieved to have a day off. The shop’s ready for the opening but Olivia will need me for the rest of the week, including Saturday with it being the big day. There’s a celebrity guest coming to open the event but Olivia’s keeping it under wraps.’

Isla was clearly still focused on the mode of transport she would be taking to the day centre. ‘I’m sure he has a car of his own as well as the bike. I’m sure I’ve seen him drop Maeve off at the day centre in a car that didn’t have flashing lights.’ She pondered for a moment then shook her head. ‘Harris is off until this evening, by the way.’ She gave Bella a pointed look.

‘Oh, right.’ Bella tried her best not to engage.

The doorbell chimed and suddenly Isla dashed towards her room. ‘Get that, would you, dearie, I’ve forgotten my… erm… thingy.’

Bella knew exactly what game her granny was playing, and she was wasting her time. With a huff and a roll of her eyes, she walked to the door. She paused and plastered on a smile as she opened it. ‘Hi, Harris, Isla’s getting something from her room. Come on in for a minute.’ He stood there in blue jeans, a fitted white T-shirt and a navy-blue bomber jacket. He looked handsome in his civvies again.

‘Hi, Bella. Thanks.’ He smiled and followed her into the kitchen. ‘I was wondering if you’re free at all today,’ he said but held up his hand. ‘Neil has been in touch about the car. He wants to chat to you in person.’

Bella’s stomach sank. ‘Oh, right. I’m off today as it happens.’

He nodded. ‘You may as well come with us. I can take you to the garage when I’ve dropped Isla at the day centre if you like.’

Bella smiled. ‘That’d be great, thank you. I’ll grab my handbag.’

Isla and Bella passed in the hallway. ‘I’m coming with you,’ Bella said.

Isla beamed. ‘Oh, lovely! Are you and Harris spending the day together?’ The hope in her eyes annoyed Bella.

She scoffed. ‘No! Nothing like that. He’s taking me to see the mechanic, that’s all.’ Realising she had spoken a little too loudly in her frustration, she quickly glanced towards the kitchen, wondering if Harris had heard. If he had, he made no indication.

‘Oh, well, that’s a shame,’ Isla replied rather sullenly.

Bella grabbed her bag from the chair in front of the dressing table in her room and checked her reflection. The dark circles around her emerald eyes told of her lack of sleep. She grabbed a concealer pen, dotted it quickly along the dark areas and patted it in with her ring fingers. She ran a comb through her hair that had grown rather fast since she’d last had it cut, and it now sat in waves just above her jawline. She figured her jeans and long-sleeved Florence and the Machine top would suffice, seeing as this wasn’t a date. She grabbed her linen jacket, in case the bright glow of the Scottish sun she saw when she opened the front door was deceptive, and then walked back to the kitchen where Harris was chatting happily to Isla while crouched on his haunches and stroking Beau.

‘Sorry, that’s me ready,’ Bella said.

Harris glanced up at her. ‘Ah, I love a bit of Florence,’ he said with a smile and a nod to her top.

Oh no, don’t go giving me reasons to think we have things in common. ‘Yes, me too,’ she replied, immediately realising she had stated the obvious.

‘Which is your favourite track? No, wait, let me guess…’ He stood, tapping his finger on his bearded chin while keeping his gaze fixed on her. Her stomach felt weird for a moment until he said, ‘I bet it’s “Delilah”.’

Dammit. She narrowed her eyes. ‘It is, as it happens, but isn’t that everyone’s favourite Florence track?’