Page 72 of A Highland Family Affair

The waiting staff began to bring out plates of beautifully crafted food and Isla’s face lit up when hers was placed before her on the table. ‘Well, this looks lovely. And they say presentation is nine-tenths of the law, eh, Harris?’ She was certainly on top form.

Harris’s brows crumpled. ‘Actually, that’s possession, Isla.’

Isla’s expression changed to one of befuddlement. ‘Are you sure?’

Harris grinned at Olivia and then turned to Isla once more. ‘Pretty sure, Isla, I’m a police sergeant, remember? Although as an adage it’s not technically true.’

Isla appeared nonplussed and picked up her knife and fork. ‘Well, I think it looks lovely. I like a bit of horse cuisine.’

Olivia adored Isla and her malapropisms. Although she wouldn’t necessarily have called their menu haute cuisine. ‘We’ll get back to our table and let you eat,’ Olivia said, squeezing Isla’s arm.

The wedding breakfast ran smoothly, and a rumble of chatter and laughter echoed around the vast room. When it was time for the speeches, Dougie stood and clinked a spoon against his glass. ‘Ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I would like to thank you for being here to help celebrate the marriage of my son Brodie and the love of his life, Olivia. And don’t the bridesmaids look beautiful?’ A mumble of agreement and applause could be heard. ‘Oh, and apparently I’m to thank them for choosing dresses with pockets, Olivia had her hands full, so this has been a godsend.’ He grinned. ‘Apparently dresses with pockets are the next best thing to sliced bread.’

Laughter travelled the room as a couple of women shouted out their staunch agreement.

Dougie continued, ‘Now, I watched the friendship between Brodie and Olivia blossom from when they were wee kiddies, chasing each other around the grounds of the castle, as you heard earlier, planting trees together, building dens amongst the trees, and picnicking by the loch. It never mattered that Olivia was the daughter of a laird. Theirs was a special relationship that knew no status.’

A rumble of ‘aww’ travelled the room.

Dougie went on, ‘But then Brodie moved away with his mum, when she and I divorced, and he was so upset, although he wouldn’t admit it, of course. I never imagined their friendship would last. But I’ve since heard that my son was a bit of a ratbag before he left. By his own admission, he used to tease Olivia and call her names so it’s my guess that she was relieved when he went!’ Laughter ensued briefly. ‘But you know what they say about always hurting the one you love. And I know my son has loved Olivia since he could understand what love was. She has helped him through some tough times, and she has always been there for him. And for that I’m eternally grateful. I have long since considered Olivia as a daughter and now it’s official. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast. To the bride and groom!’

The guests called out in unison, ‘The bride and groom!’

‘Now, to finish off, I’d like to share a wee slide show I put together of the two of them. I think there are photos on here that neither will remember so it will be a trip down memory lane for them,’ Dougie said before pressing something on his phone.

The screen behind the top table came to life and to a soundtrack of ‘Friends Will be Friends’ by Queen, old photos of Olivia and Brodie as children began to play. Choruses of ‘Awww’ rang out again around the room as little scruffy-haired Brodie and ruddy-cheeked Olivia waved at the camera, faces covered in jam and clothes covered in mud. Olivia had to fight tears for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

When the slide show ended, Brodie stood. ‘Wow, I’m not sure I can top that, cheers, Dad,’ Brodie said with a roll of his eyes and a grin. ‘I’d like to echo everything that my dad said. The bridesmaids look stunning, as always, and I’m especially grateful to my brother-in-law for arranging for Harper to fly over from the USA instead of heading off to Barcelona. That was a brilliant surprise. Coming home to Drumblair Castle was a double-edged sword for me. We had just lost Lady Freya, one of the kindest, warmest people I’d ever known. But I always considered this place my home and I’ve always loved being here. I missed it terribly when I was away, mainly because my heart was always here,’ Brodie said with a glance down at Olivia. He cleared his throat. ‘Olivia, you’re my best friend, my rock, you ground me, you encourage me, but most of all, you love me, and I couldn’t ask for a greater gift in this life than to live it with you. Ladies and gents, to Olivia!’

Everyone joined in with the toast and stood to applaud the bride and groom.

Kerr, Innes, Dougie and Will cleared the chairs to the side of the room and the DJ Brodie had arranged attended his post and announced over the speakers, ‘Right, everyone, under normal circumstances it would be time for the bride and groom’s first dance! Obviously Brodie is on crutches so we’re skipping that and asking you all to get up here on the dance floor to dance to a very special song that means a lot to the happy couple. This is “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic”!’

The dance floor filled up and even Brodie hobbled over to stand on one leg and bob up and down alongside his new wife until he couldn’t manage it any more. Olivia was exhausted but in the best possible way. She sat beside Brodie and held his hand.

He leaned closer. ‘I’m the luckiest man on the planet right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful woman.’

‘That must make me the luckiest woman.’ She kissed him. ‘Your speech was lovely. And the slide show your dad made, wow.’ Olivia smiled as she looked around the long gallery at all the friends and family that had joined them to celebrate. ‘We’re pretty lucky, aren’t we?’

‘We really are.’

Brodie’s mother came over to where they were sitting. ‘Darlings!’ They both stood to hug her. Her shoulder-length grey hair was neatly styled, and she wore tortoiseshell glasses and a pale blue dress and jacket.

‘Hey, Mum. You look smashin’. Thanks for coming,’ Brodie said with a kiss to her cheek.

‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. You both look so wonderful, and so happy.’

‘Thanks, Mrs MacLeod. It’s lovely to see you again,’ Olivia said, squeezing her hand.

‘Oh, my word, call me June, we’re family now.’

‘June it is. You do look lovely, Brodie’s right.’

June patted her hair. ‘Thank you, I tried my best to adhere to the colour scheme.’

‘That’s so sweet, thank you.’

‘Now, I know you’ve decided not to take time off for a honeymoon, and I totally understand with the castle business and all, but I wanted to give you this.’ She handed Brodie an envelope. ‘Every couple needs to have a wee romantic break.’