Page 33 of Chasing a Highland Dream

He shook his head. ‘Nope. Mine’s “Dog Days Are Over”. It’s a really hopeful song.’

His reply surprised her. ‘Yes, that’s a good one too.’

Isla huffed. ‘If you two are quite finished, I’ve a day centre to get to.’ Bella turned, ready to chastise her, but Isla winked. ‘You may as well sit in the front, hen,’ she said to Bella. ‘I’ll be out before you, and I’ve got Beau.’

They walked outside and Bella was relieved to see a silver Jeep waiting for them. Three on a motorbike with a dog would have been interesting, that’s for sure.

Once Isla was happily ensconced with the ‘old folks’ at the day centre, Harris set off to take Bella to the garage.

‘How are you feeling?’ he asked with a brief glance in her direction.

‘Terrified,’ she replied.

He nodded. ‘Aye, I thought as much. Neil didn’t tell me anything, so, I can’t even forewarn you, I’m afraid.’

They pulled into the front courtyard of Neil’s garage and Bella spotted Fifi up in the air on a ramp. Her stomach flipped, seeing her beloved little car with bits missing.

Harris turned off the Jeep’s engine. ‘Ready?’

Bella inhaled a deep, calming breath. ‘As I’ll ever be.’

They climbed out of the car and were greeted by a tall, broad man with a shaved head, stubbly chin and a dirty face, wiping his oily hands on an even oilier rag. ‘Harris, you ugly sod,’ Neil said with a fond grin, in his unmistakeable Yorkshire tongue. ‘And you must be Miss Douglas? You’re far too good-looking for this numpty.’

‘You cheeky wee munter,’ Harris replied with a fond laugh. ‘We’re just friends. Bella, allow me to introduce my best mate, Neil. What he lacks in hair he makes up for in mechanical knowledge.’

The two men shook hands and slapped each other on the back. Neil turned to Bella. ‘Take no notice of him; I’m actually a stunner under all this grease, just ask our Mel. Anyway, you look like you’re about to face a firing squad.’

Harris told him, ‘Aye, she’s very fond of the car, pal. Dreading what you’re about to say.’

Neil pulled his lips between his teeth. ‘Aye, it’s not the best news, I’m afraid.’

Bella gulped. ‘Just tell me. Rip off that band-aid, as they say.’

Neil nodded. ‘Right, okay, so the drive shaft is fu… buggered.’ Bella found it amusing how he modified his language before the worse of the two profanities fell from his lips. He continued, ‘And you’ll need a new wheel, tyre and shock absorbers. Then we’ll have to check the tracking and possibly adjust that. And a bit of a touch-up is needed to the paintwork too, although I think the chips might be older damage. These cars were created for farmers, believe it or not, meaning they’re quite tough, so it could’ve been much worse.’

Bella nodded. ‘Okay. So, how much are we talking?’ She braced herself for the answer, clenching her fists by her sides.

Neil sucked air in through his teeth. ‘Unfortunately parts aren’t easy to come by wi’ it bein’ an old classic, and labour alone is gunna be around a hundred and twenty quid plus VAT. All in all, you’re gunna be looking at somewhere around six hundred to seven hundred quid including labour, VAT and parts. But in all honesty, it’ll depend on how much the parts are and where I can source ’em from. Scrappers don’t always have ’em in.’

Bella felt the blood drain from her face. While it could’ve been much worse, she didn’t have that kind of money lying around. A high excess on her insurance meant she would need to find a decent chunk of the overall amount. She had no savings after putting all her money into decorating and furnishing the flat she’d had to give up renting when she’d lost her last job, and she couldn’t ask her parents because they were funding her brother until he found a suitable job now his degree was finished, and they had spent their savings on the cruise for her dad’s birthday. There was no way she was asking her granny, who had taken her in and refused to accept rent money. And she had no credit card.

She nodded. ‘Right, I see. Okay. Can I… can I have some time to think things through? I need to arrange the finance.’

Neil nodded. ‘Aye, no worries at all. Happy to keep it here until you know what you wanna do. And o’ course, feel free to get some other quotes. Although, to be honest, you have to ask yourself if it’s worth havin’ it fixed. I could get you a little run-around for what it’s gunna cost to repair it.’

Bella shook her head. ‘Oh no, that won’t be necessary. I love Fifi and if she can be repaired, I’d rather do that. And as for other quotes, if Harris trusts you, so do I.’ In her peripheral vision, she saw a small smile flash on Harris’s face.

Harris touched her arm. ‘Come on, I’ll buy you a coffee. You look like you need it.’

She smiled. ‘Thanks, I think I do.’

‘See yous later, pal,’ Harris said to Neil.

‘Aye, see you later. Take care, Bella. And I’m sorry it wasn’t better news.’

Bella forced a smile. ‘No, thanks so much for your help.’

Bella followed Harris back to the Jeep and he opened her door. When they were both strapped in, Harris started the engine and they set off in silence into Inverness centre.