Page 38 of Chasing a Highland Dream

‘The Glenmoriston Town House Restaurant!’

‘Swanky,’ Olivia replied.

‘The problem is I didn’t bring any going out clothes from Granny’s. Can I borrow something?’

‘Of course. Come upstairs and have a look through my wardrobe.’

Isla arrived home from the day centre around 5 p.m. with Beau and closed the front door behind her before making her way into the living room and flopping down into her favourite chair with a deep, tired sigh. As if exhausted from his day of cuddles, Beau lay down and closed his eyes for a snooze.

Bella glanced behind her. ‘Are you alone?’

She pointed at the dog. ‘No, Beau’s with me.’

‘No one else?’

Isla glanced over her own shoulder. ‘I should hope not, why? Who were you expecting me to bring? My toyboy?’ She chuckled. ‘I’ll have to find one first.’

‘I thought Harris might have come in to say hello.’

Isla tugged off her shoes. ‘No, he dropped me off and then left because he’s on the late shift at the station. He said you’d had a nice time together today, though.’

Bella knew her granny was fishing for details. ‘We did. He’s an interesting man. Definitely a lovely friend to have around.’

Isla huffed. ‘Friend? Right then.’

‘So, what have you been up to today?’

Isla rolled her eyes. ‘Card making.’

Bella smirked. ‘You sound thrilled.’

‘Oh aye, great fun, if you’re a toddler.’

‘I’m sure some of the others enjoyed it, though. Maybe you should suggest something to do if they keep missing the mark for you.’

Isla waved her hand like she was swatting a fly. ‘You’re joking, aren’t you? There’s more chance of me sunbathing in the Arctic Circle than them listening to me.’

Bella leaned forward. ‘I have news if you’re interested.’

Isla leaned forward too. ‘Oh aye? Do tell.’

‘Our new neighbour, Aiden, has invited me out for dinner this evening. Trouble is all my going out clothes are still at the house so I’m going up to borrow something to wear from Liv. Aiden knocked about ten minutes ago to say he’s booked us a table for 7.30 this evening. He’s booked us a taxi too.’

Isla raised her eyebrows. ‘Oooh, very nice. A date, eh?’ Her crumpled expression didn’t match her positive words.

‘Well… he didn’t actually call it a date as such⁠—’

‘Be careful, though. We don’t really know him and he’s no police sergeant. I do wonder, you know…’

When Isla didn’t finish her sentence, Bella queried the fact. ‘Come on, you may as well say it, you do wonder what?’

Isla shook her head. ‘Well, these types of people who write crime novels. How do they come up with their ideas? They must have twisted minds, don’t you think? To write such graphic and gory stories.’

Bella scoffed. ‘Good grief, Granny, it means they have vivid imaginations, that’s all. It doesn’t make them bad people and it doesn’t mean they go around committing the crimes they write about. And you’ve never read anything by him, so you don’t know.’

‘Aye, well, same goes for you as far as we know! And he was rude when you asked him about his pen name. I’d watch yourself.’ Isla pondered things for a moment. ‘Aye, you might be better having a code word you can say when you ring me on the WhatsUp, you know, just in case.’

Bella couldn’t help laughing. ‘And what would you do if I rang you and used the code?’