Page 51 of A Highland Family Affair

Olivia sucked air in through her teeth. ‘I’m actually getting married on 22 April so could you maybe come sooner rather than later? That way I can just focus on the wedding once we’ve met.’

‘Ah, congratulations. How about this Thursday? Or is that too short notice? No pressure, obviously.’

Olivia glanced down at her diary. ‘Yes, that would work.’

‘Great. I’ll get the arrangements made and I’ll see you then.’

‘Thanks, Eilidh. See you Thursday.’

The call ended and Olivia huffed out a long breath. She was already a little daunted about the prospect of having a film crew in her house and nothing had even been confirmed yet. Although the money would definitely be a bonus. Brodie’s plans to renovate the large barn could go ahead and she could have the studio of her dreams.

She smoothed out the plans that lay before her. The 3D rendering of the barn with its huge glass and oak doors was a thing of beauty. The four units on the lower floor would enable local creatives to have their own affordable workspace. Affordable being the buzzword. Olivia wanted to give back to the community. But the whole of the top floor would be hers. The natural light would flood in and the views over the grounds would, of course, be spectacular. There would be space enough to employ some machinists at some point, if her label took off. And there would even be enough room for a small runway so she would be able to see how the clothes she created would look at fashion shows. Her stomach flipped with excitement at the prospect, even though she knew she was getting ahead of herself. The barn would be renovated regardless of the outcome of the film and whether the castle was chosen as a location, but the revenue it would bring in if it was would speed up the process.

The architect Brodie had enlisted to draw up the plans had done an incredible job. There had even been a computerised model sent by Dropbox and Olivia had already ‘walked around’ it.

On Thursday at around eleven, a taxi pulled up the long tree-lined drive and Olivia watched from the kitchen window as a slim blonde woman climbed from the vehicle at one side and a smaller dark-haired woman got out from the other. They both stood for a moment gazing up at the castle with smiles on their faces, chatting, and the smaller of the two women took photos on her phone before approaching the doors.

Charlotte appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. ‘Olivia, Eilidh Baird and Shona Morton are here to see you.’

‘Great, thank you, Charlotte. Can you show them through to the study and could you ask what they’d like to drink? I’m just waiting on Brodie, he’s on his way.’

Brodie had been out in the grounds with the architect looking at another of the barns that was ripe for renovation. He arrived a minute or so after their visitors and together they went to the study where Eilidh and Shona were waiting.

Both stood as Olivia and Brodie walked into the room and the blonde one held out her hand. ‘Lady Olivia, and you must be Brodie. I’m Eilidh and this is the location scout Shona.’ Eilidh’s hair was shoulder length and straight and she wore a grey trouser suit with a cerise top underneath. She had very smiley eyes, and even before she spoke Olivia liked her. Shona’s hair was chestnut coloured and tied up in a claw clip and she wore a bright red jacket with a black dress beneath it.

Olivia and Brodie shook hands with the visitors. ‘Welcome to Drumblair.’

After a brief chat to discuss the project, Olivia and Brodie gave the two women a tour of the castle. Both seemed impressed with the place.

‘And this is the long gallery. The portraits in here are mostly of my ancestors,’ Olivia explained.

‘This is a stunning room,’ Shona said. ‘I can just imagine the grand balls that must have taken place in here, and the dresses,’ she said dreamily. ‘I’m a sucker for a ball gown.’

‘Oh, me too,’ Olivia agreed. ‘It’s my favourite thing to design.’

‘Oh, yes, I read that you’re a fashion designer,’ Eilidh said. ‘Didn’t you used to live in New York?’

‘I did. I designed for Nina Picarro.’

Shona gasped. ‘You worked at Nina Picarro? Oh, my goodness. She is my favourite designer. I’ve been to her shows in London.’

Olivia grinned. ‘I was probably there too.’

Shona held up her hands. ‘Oh, that’s it. We have to film here, Eilidh. We have an on-site costume designer!’

‘Now there’s a thought,’ Eilidh said.

Olivia waved a dismissive hand. ‘Oh, gosh, no, I’m not a fashion historian. I’m sure there are costume designers out there who’d be better suited.’

Eilidh tapped her chin. ‘Ah, but our costumes are going to have a modern twist. Think Bridgerton.’

Olivia’s stomach flipped as she glanced sideways to find Brodie beaming at her. ‘Well, of course I’d be happy to help if I can.’

‘Shall we head along to the dining room?’ Brodie asked. ‘We’ve arranged for Noah, the chef at the café, to bring some lunch through for us.’

‘That sounds amazing,’ Eilidh said. ‘I’m famished.’

As they walked away from the gallery, Kerr was just entering the castle. ‘Hey, Kerr, come and meet Eilidh and Shona. They’re here about possibly filming at the castle.’