Page 68 of Chasing a Highland Dream

‘Granny, you’re awake,’ Bella said with a sniff and a smile as relief flooded her whole body.

Isla blinked and frowned. ‘Aye, I am. What’s the matter, hen? Why are you crying? Is it that murder writer? Has he upset you again? I’ll be having words if he has.’

Bella giggled through her tears. ‘No, Granny, I’ve been worried about you.’

Isla gave a weak smile. ‘You bampot, I’m fine. They’ve put a new hip in, you know. I’m like the bionic woman now. There’s not many of the gyratics at the day centre can say they’ve got a uranium hip.’

Bella pursed her lips. ‘Aye, and neither can you, Granny. I think it’s titanium, actually.’

‘Aye, that’s what a said. I’ll be giving that Eugene Bolt a run for his money now.’ She glanced towards the floor, a look of panic in her eyes. ‘Where’s my Beau?’

‘Don’t worry, he’s with Wilf and Marley at the castle.’

Her features relaxed. ‘Ah, that’s good. He likes running around wi’ his wee pals.’

Bella’s heart skipped and she clutched Isla’s hand. It was so good to hear her talking like her old self, even if she sounded a little weak. ‘How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Do you need me to get the nurse?’

‘Oh no, hen. I’m not too bad considering they’ve chopped bits out of me. It was a lucky break if you pardon the pun. I was wanting to go home anyway. It was a rubbish tea dance, so there was nothing spoiling there.’

Bella grinned. ‘Oh, that’s a shame.’

‘Aye, can you believe they actually served tea? I thought it was just a name and there’d at least be a glass of sherry in it. But no, blooming tea. And not even Earl Grey. It was the usual stuff they serve that was scraped off the floor at the tea factory. So, I can’t even blame alcohol for my tumble.’

Bella giggled. ‘Oh no. Did you manage to do any dancing?’

Isla rolled her eyes. ‘Aye, I danced wi’ Reg Anderson but he’s no Craig Rebel Hardwood. In fact, I blame him for my falling. We were dancing a two-step, but it was as if Reg didn’t know his left from his right and he kept standing on my feet. Next thing I knew, I was waking up in an ambulance. I’m fine, though. You don’t need to worry. I had a slight percussion when I came in but they’re keeping an eye on me. I’ll be home before you know it.’

Bella stood and kissed her granny’s head. ‘Thank goodness because it won’t be the same without you.’

‘Did they phone you from Sunnyside to get you to come here? Because I told them not to bother you, you know. I told them you were an integral cog in the wheels of Drumblair Castle.’

Bella stifled a laugh. ‘It’s no bother. Harris came to Drumblair to collect me. And I’m glad he did. He arrived at the day centre as the ambulance got there so he was at the scene and able to speak to the paramedics.’

Isla’s eyes lit up. ‘Oh, he’s so nice, isn’t he? Very considerate. Did that murder writer come with you?’

Bella gave her granny a pass for the name on this occasion. ‘No, Granny, he couldn’t come. He was… erm… busy.’

‘Ah, well, at least Harris brought you. Are your mum and dad home from their 1830 cruise? And Callum?’

‘They are. They’re here at the hospital. I’ll go get them. They’ll want to come and see you too.’

Her granny gripped her hand and looked her straight in the eyes. ‘I do love you, Arabella. I hope you know that.’

Bella’s chin trembled. ‘Of course I do. And I love you too. I’ll see you later.’ She bent to kiss her granny’s head again and left the room.

Once she had closed the door behind her, she leaned on the wall as more tears came; this time they were tears of relief. She composed herself and made her way to the waiting room.

Bella arrived back at the castle at around 9 p.m. after her dad dropped her off. She was unlocking the door to the apartment when headlights flashed, causing her to squint. Harris’s Jeep pulled to a halt, and she waited for him to climb down from the vehicle.

‘Hi, Harris, is everything okay?’ Bella asked as he approached her.

He was out of his uniform now and in black jeans, a light-coloured top and his leather jacket. As he got closer, the overhead security lights illuminated him, creating his very own halo. He really was gorgeous, and Bella couldn’t believe she hadn’t realised this before now. But it wasn’t just his physicality that drew her to him. It was his nature. His kindness and his strength.

He smiled and stuffed his hands in his pockets, a thing she had noticed he did mainly when he was in his civilian clothes and felt unsure of himself. She found it quite endearing.

‘I came to ask you the same thing,’ he said with a crumple of concern to his face.

‘You really are sweet. Thank you. Granny was comfortable when we left her but I’m not sure we’re out of the woods yet. She’s eighty-five and this fall and the surgery have taken their toll on her. It’s all so worrying. I can’t thank you enough for your help. Do you want to come in for a coffee?’