Page 76 of A Highland Family Affair

EIGHT MONTHS LATER – DECEMBER

Brodie sat beside Olivia on the drawing room sofa, massaging her feet as they watched the eighties classic, Pretty in Pink, on TV. Sir Lancelot had taken up his sentry position by her on the floor and Wilf and Marley were snuggled up snoring in front of the fire. Sir Lancelot had taken to guarding Olivia ever since he’d sensed that she was pregnant. She lazily stroked his head where it rested on the seat in front of her, his nose as close to the baby bump as he could get without sitting on her lap.

‘Oh, I forgot to say, Kerr was giddy as anything this morning,’ Olivia said.

‘Oh, aye? How come?’

‘The documentation has come through for Will’s name change. He’s officially Will MacBain now.’

Brodie smiled. ‘That’s awesome. I’m so happy for them. I’m glad Charlotte didn’t protest about that whole thing.’

‘I think Kerr has forgiven her for everything. I saw them at the nursery earlier in the week. She was buying a Christmas tree. She wiped some mud off his cheek and he looked like he was about to kiss her. There are still deep feelings there, I’m sure of it. I have a feeling they may get back together.’

‘Really? Oh, wow. That does surprise me. How do you feel about that?’

Olivia shrugged. ‘I just want him to be happy. And I think, in spite of everything that happened, she does make him happy.’

‘It would be so great for Will to have a proper family too. He’s been through a lot.’

‘I agree. He’s such a sweet boy.’

‘Aye, he’s a good kid.’ They fell silent for a moment as their attention turned back to the film.

‘Maybe I should have my hair done like Duckie,’ Brodie said with a chuckle as he nodded towards the screen at the quirky, quiffed character on screen.

‘Oh, absolutely, go for it. What should I have done?’ Olivia replied with a giggle.

‘I think you’d look amazing with an eighties bubble perm.’ He grinned.

‘Oh no, we’re going to be those embarrassing parents, aren’t we?’ she said with a laugh, stroking her large bump.

‘One hundred per cent. They’re the best kind.’

There was a knock on the drawing room door. ‘Come in,’ Olivia called from her position by the fire.

The door opened and her PA, Esme, walked in, a panicked expression on her face. ‘Lady Olivia, there’s an Eilidh Baird here to see you and there are loads of vehicles turning up too but there’s nothing in the diary.’

Olivia sat upright and removed her feet from Brodie’s lap. She glanced at him and widened her eyes. ‘Dammit, I’d completely forgotten. It’s the start of filming preparation today for the movie. I should have marked it on the calendar when I got Eilidh’s email earlier in the week. Sorry, Esme, I blame baby brain.’

Brodie nudged her. ‘I forgot too; I must be coming out in sympathy with you. Don’t worry, though, I’m sure she’ll understand under the circumstances. At least it’s only planning and not shooting.’

Olivia nodded. ‘That’s true.’ She smoothed down her hair and checked that her top was clean. ‘Okay, Esme, you can show her in.’

A couple of moments later, Eilidh walked in. She wore navy-blue trousers, a long navy smart wool coat and a sage-green blouse beneath. The woman walked confidently over to them and held out her hand as Olivia and Brodie stood.

‘Olivia, Brodie, great to see you again,’ she said with a wide smile and in a soft Scottish accent. There was still the very positive energy about the woman that Olivia remembered from last time they met.

‘And you too. I have to admit that I totally forgot to note down that you were coming today, or I would have been better prepared. I’m so sorry. My head is elsewhere at the moment.’

Eilidh waved a dismissive hand. ‘Oh, don’t you worry, honestly. You don’t need to do anything. You must not have long to go.’ She gestured towards Olivia’s bump.

‘Hopefully not. I’m a week overdue,’ Olivia replied with a huff. ‘Please do sit. Can I get you a tea, coffee?’

Eilidh held up a hand. ‘Oh, no, thank you. I had several at the hotel this morning before I got my cab,’ she said as she removed her coat and placed it over the sofa arm. ‘It’s lovely and warm in here, unlike outside, roll on spring, I say.’ They all sat and Eilidh glanced around her surroundings. ‘This really is a wonderful place. You must be so proud of what you’ve achieved.’

Olivia smiled. ‘We are, although there’s still a fair bit to do with the addition of a distillery now. My uncle has researched everything, so Drumblair gin is currently in the offing.’

Eilidh nodded. ‘Wow, that’s exciting. If you need taste testers, be sure to let me know. I love a good gin.’