Page 8 of A Highland Family Affair

‘I’ll be fine. I’m going to be wary around him. I can’t help that. But something in his demeanour tells me he’s genuine. Oh, and the funny thing is, he’s acquired a dog. Called Sir Lancelot.’ She smirked.

‘I’m sorry, what now? He’s got a dog? Kerr, who thinks animals are a smelly inconvenience? And how the hell is it called Sir-bloody-Lancelot?’

‘To cut a long story short, he was given the dog by a homeless alcoholic he met and became friends with on the street.’

Bella shook her head. ‘You couldn’t write this damn stuff! Quick, get Aiden the author back, this is crime novel fodder right enough.’

Olivia laughed. ‘He’s actually very sweet with the dog. He says it saved him and taught him what love is.’

Bella’s eyes narrowed again. ‘Bloody hell, that’s a bit deep for Kerr, isn’t it?’

‘Tell me about it. Although… like I said, he did seem genuine. He even apologised to Brodie, Dougie and Mirren.’

‘Wow. How did they respond to that?’

‘Dougie was quite stoic. Mirren cried, and Brodie took it with a pinch of salt.’

‘Hmm. Can’t say I’m surprised.’

‘Did I hear you say that Kermit character is back again?’ Granny Isla asked from the doorway.

Bella’s eyes widened in horror and her cheeks turned red. ‘Granny! His name is Kerr and well you know it,’ she told her through clenched teeth.

Olivia, however, burst out laughing. ‘Kermit, that’s brilliant. And you did hear right, yes, Isla. The prodigal brother has returned.’

Isla patted Olivia’s arm. ‘You watch yourself there, hen. I wouldnae trust him as far as I could yeet him!’

Bella almost choked on her tea. ‘Yeet? I think you’ve been watching too many TikTok videos.’

‘Oh, aye, I love the ticky tock. I’ve tried to go virile on there, but I haven’t managed it yet.’

An hour later, Olivia and Brodie helped Bella pack the rest of her granny’s belongings into Fifi, her old Citroën 2CV. The third member of their little ‘besties’ group, Skye, had arrived with her fiancé Ben; the loved-up couple had recently purchased Isla’s terraced house and were excited about the future.

A lump had lodged itself in Olivia’s throat and she fought to keep her emotions at bay. She wasn’t sure when she would next get to hug her friend and she now realised how difficult it must have been for Bella and Skye when she left for New York to start her internship and subsequent job at the House of Nina Picarro.

Once the car was packed to the gunnels and Beau was secured in his little dog seat, Isla hugged Olivia, Brodie and Skye before climbing into Fifi. Bella closed Isla’s door and walked over to where her friends were standing.

‘Well, this is it, guys. My big adventure begins now!’ The excitement and sparkle in her eyes were clear to see.

Brodie stepped forward and hugged her. ‘Say hi to that hairy lout Harris for me. I still can’t believe you’ve kept this a secret from him. Are you sure he has no clue that this visit is a permanent one?’

Bella nodded vehemently. ‘I’ve never kept such a tough secret for so damn long! It’s a wonder my heid hasn’t exploded.’ She giggled.

Next Ben stepped forward and handed her a bottle of wine. ‘Something from me and Skye to celebrate your first night of your new life.’ He hugged her and stepped back.

‘Aww, you guys. Thank you so much.’

Olivia glanced at Skye and the pair of them stepped forward and scooped Bella into a group hug. ‘We’re going to miss you like mad, Bells,’ Olivia said in a wavering voice.

‘Aye, we are. I might need to move away at some point so you both know how horrible it is for me!’ Skye said with a laugh as she wiped tears from her cheeks.

‘Stop! I’m trying not to bawl my eyes out,’ Bella said as her chin trembled and tears spilled over from her eyes, in spite of her attempts not to cry. ‘Right, we’d better be going. It’s a long drive and Beau will no doubt need to pee on the way.’

‘I know I didn’t have that last cuppa but he’s not the only one!’ Isla called through a gap in her lowered window, causing them all to laugh. ‘Come on, lassie, let’s get this show on the boat!’

Bella chuckled, shook her head and rolled her eyes. ‘Show on the road, Granny.’

Isla’s brow crumpled. ‘Aye, that’s what a said.’