Page 30 of A Highland Family Affair

Charlotte nodded. ‘He did and it was so lovely. I’ve only ever been in once, but it was really cosy, and the food was delicious.’

‘Did he… erm… drink?’

Charlotte shook her head. ‘No. Look, I’m aware of his troubles and I can assure you he is serious about staying sober. He drank bottled orange juice that I saw him pouring at the table. Nothing was added.’

Olivia nodded and relief washed over her. ‘Oh, I’m so glad.’

Charlotte smiled as she twiddled her teacup. ‘Will is quite taken with him too. He talks about him all the time. They have such a giggle at the nursery. He loves it there. And it’s really building his confidence. He was quite shy when we first moved here but he’s really coming out of his shell, and I think I have Kerr to thank for that.’

Kerr never ceased to amaze Olivia lately. Praise from Ali, kind words from Charlotte and Will his number one fan. He had even gained Innes’s trust and that was saying something.

‘I’m really pleased for you, Charlotte.’

‘Please don’t worry, though, Lady Olivia, I won’t let this interfere with my job. I love working here and I have every intention of keeping my place.’

Olivia appreciated that so much. ‘That’s good to hear. It’s great to have you as part of the team. Right, I’d better get back to it. That suitcase won’t pack itself.’

Olivia and Brodie finished packing the car with their cases and went back inside to say goodbye to the dogs. Both Marley and Wilf sulked on their beds, clearly knowing they were being left behind.

Olivia crouched to cuddle them both. ‘We’ll be back before you know it, boys,’ she told them as she scratched them both behind their ears.

‘Are you excited?’ Brodie asked her as she stood again.

She turned and slipped her arms around his shoulders. ‘Words can’t describe how excited I am. I really can’t believe we’re doing this so close to Christmas, but I can’t wait to see Bella and her new place. Skye is beautiful but I bet it’s something else at Christmastime,’ she said dreamily.

‘That was the deciding factor about dates. The pictures never do it justice and there’s nothing like witnessing the real thing in real time. And I know we’re only away for four nights, but I want to make the most of it.’ He squeezed her into his side. ‘Bella’s going to get the surprise of her life. Come on, we’d better go.’

As they walked into the hallway, Kerr appeared from the staircase. ‘Hey, you two, have an amazing time.’ He hugged Olivia. ‘Don’t worry about this place. The dogs will be fine with Dougie and Mirren, and I promise to behave.’

Olivia hugged him back. ‘Thank you. Any problems, please just call me. It doesn’t matter what time it is, just⁠—’

He placed a hand on each of her shoulders. ‘Olivia, relax, I’ll be fine and so will Drumblair. Now go.’

She nodded, suddenly feeling doubtful about her decision to leave. ‘Okay.’ She reluctantly turned towards the door as Brodie opened it and stepped outside.

‘Oh, and Olivia?’ Kerr said.

She turned. ‘Yes? What’s up?’ Her heart skipped.

Kerr smiled. ‘I just wanted to say… I love you.’ Before she could respond, he turned and jogged back up the stairs.

Olivia’s eyes welled with tears. It had been the first time he had said those words to her without prompting by their parents, and with genuine sincerity.

She smiled and turned to follow Brodie to the car.

Snow had fallen again overnight, creating an almost monochrome palette of the scenery as they drove towards Skye. As they passed through villages and towns, the greys and whites before them were punctuated every so often by people in brightly coloured waterproof coats and woolly hats, some walking their dogs, some having snowball fights. The sun was hanging low in the sky, bathing everything in a golden glow.

As they travelled, they sang along to Brodie’s Spotify playlist that was filled, obviously, with eighties music. Olivia gazed out of the window as they passed Eilean Donan Castle with its snow-capped roof, sitting against the white-covered hills behind it. The sky overhead was a pale grey that threatened another imminent snowfall.

Brodie squeezed Olivia’s knee. ‘Are you warm enough?’

She gazed over at him, loving that he was so concerned about her. ‘I’m toasty, you?’

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back. ‘Same. The view is incredible.’

Olivia agreed as she turned her attention to the view once more. They passed through a small hamlet of only a few houses where a young family were building a snowman on one of the grassed areas. The joy on their faces made Olivia smile. A group of teenagers were pulling sleds along behind them as they messed around, throwing snowballs, and headed towards a small hill that sat behind the houses. Little white cottages lined the road and each house was decked for the festive season.

‘When the barn’s done, you should take the upstairs space and turn it into your design studio,’ Brodie said out of the blue. ‘You must really miss it.’