Page 6 of Chasing a Highland Dream

Isla pondered this for a moment. ‘No, Peter Capaldi is definitely an actor, I should know, he’s in my favourite film!’

Although Bella could understand the mistake – it wasn’t a particularly common name – she informed her granny, ‘Peter Capaldi and Lewis Capaldi aren’t actually related, I’m afraid.’ She tried not to giggle at the mix-up.

‘So did he adopt him then? Aw, it’s nice Lewis took his name.’

‘No, Granny, I mean they may share the name but they don’t know each other, not really.’

‘Well, he must have known him well enough to adopt the poor wee lad.’

‘No, Granny, I mean they aren’t connected at all. Well, apart from the fact Peter Capaldi appeared in one of Lewis’s music videos. Anyway, I can understand why you’d think they were.’

‘Oh… That’s made me a little bit sad.’

Bella felt guilty at bursting her granny’s invented bubble. But within moments she pulled the car to a stop in front of the stunning, vast stone structure of Drumblair Castle. The sun glinted off the small panes of glass in the windows and the cerulean-blue sky gave a contrasting backdrop to the picture-perfect image. Arriving at the castle never ceased to excite Bella. In fact, she couldn’t remember ever enjoying so-called work as much as she had when working on the apartments.

She gave a sigh but smiled. ‘Never mind, Granny, we’re here now. Come on.’

As Bella helped her granny and Beau out of the old car, she glanced up at the large double oak doors and saw Kerr walking towards them, as handsome as ever, in dark jeans and a chunky pale green Aran jumper. His hair looked damp as if he had recently showered and he was smiling and walking with purpose. Olivia had mentioned he’d been staying in his old bedroom for a few days; helping with sorting through some old belongings of his father’s to clear out some space for storage. Things seemed good between them and that made Bella happy.

Beau gave a low, rumbled growl and Isla scoffed. ‘Ugh, did you know Kermit was going to be here? He gives me the Bee Gees.’

Bella tried not to smirk as she pictured the dazzling-toothed trio. ‘I think you mean the heebie-jeebies. And yes, I had an inkling Kerr would be here and please don’t call him Kermit, especially not to his face.’

Isla shrugged like a sulking teenager. ‘It suits him, and he’s wearing green.’

‘Behave yourself,’ Bella insisted. ‘And remember what I said,’ she hissed as Kerr arrived beside the car.

He smiled at Bella, his eyes lingering a little long on her body. ‘Bella, you look lovely as ever,’ he said in a deep husky voice. ‘And Mrs Douglas, how lovely to see you.’ He bent in a condescending manner to address the elderly woman. ‘I understand you’ve come for a tour of the new apartments,’ he said in a loud, exaggerated voice.

Isla’s face crumpled in disgust. ‘I’m no’ deaf, you glaiket bampot.’ She shook her head rapidly, her nose turned up as if he was a bad smell she couldn’t get rid of.

Kerr raised his eyebrows but forced a smile and ignored her insult. ‘You must be so proud of what Bella has achieved. I’m sure you’ll love the décor,’ he said without lowering the volume of his voice. ‘And you’d better behave yourself, little dog,’ he said to the canine, who was still giving off come closer and I’ll bite your shins vibes.

‘Aye, well, I’m sure you’ve plenty to do so don’t let us hold you up,’ Isla said with a stony expression.

‘Granny, be nice,’ Bella whispered through a strained smile.

Isla didn’t let up. ‘I’m sure Gonzo and Fozzy are waiting for you,’ she chuntered, almost inaudibly.

‘Granny,’ Bella hissed, this time through clenched teeth.

Kerr stepped a little closer. ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Douglas,’ he said with a hand to his ear to exaggerate his point, ‘I didn’t quite hear you.’ His voice was still annoyingly loud as he tilted his head so his ear was closer to her.

Bella laughed nervously. ‘Oh, she said her ears have gone so fuzzy. I think I was playing Lewis Capaldi a bit too loud in the car. Come on, Granny.’ Bella took Isla’s arm and gave an apologetic smile to Kerr.

‘Oh, yes, I like Lewis Capaldi too,’ Kerr said.

‘We’d better get on. See you later,’ Bella told him with yet another apologetic smile. ‘Come on, Granny.’ She made no effort to hide her irritation at the badly behaved matriarch.

As they entered the first apartment, they were greeted by the pungent, yet not entirely unpleasant, smell of newly applied paint, and the rubber-like odour of freshly laid carpets. The furniture was all in place and the classic shapes and styles of the old renovated pieces Bella had selected from the attics complemented the colour scheme so well. In addition to the strange combination of smells, a vase of fragrant roses from the walled garden adorned the solid oak countertop in the kitchen; the first room on the right. Bella released Beau from his lead and he ran off to sniff and investigate.

They walked on through to the living room and Bella couldn’t help the flip of excitement in her stomach on seeing the beige fabric couches scattered with Drumblair Tartan cushions matching the sumptuous thick pile of the rug that covered the oak floor. The addition of new lighting created a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

Artwork from an Isle of Skye-based artist called Reid Mackinnon graced the walls and added a splash of contrasting colour to the room. Bella had ordered the paintings from a little gallery in a village called Glentorrin after seeing them in a TikTok video the artist had made. Some of the stone had been left exposed, harking to the heritage and origins of the stables. An old recess now served as a bookshelf, illuminated by downlights and embellished with tasteful pottery and old leather-bound books.

Isla gasped as she glanced around the rooms. ‘Arabella dearie, you’ve done a bonnie job, hen. I wouldnae mind living here mysel’. It all looks so expensive and very classy.’

Bella’s eyes welled as she hugged her granny. ‘Thanks, Granny. I’m so glad you like it. The others are similar but they all have their own individual touches, giving them their own personality.’