Page 2 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

He laughed. ‘You can’t really compare a historical international conflict to that of two old gadgies arguing about a fence.’

She continued with a huff, ‘I believe I just did. You really do go above and beyond. I hope they appreciate it.’

‘Aye, I’m sure they do. Anyway, come on, let’s get going. The suspense on what jumpers the others have is killing me.’

* * *

Bella watched as Harris drove away from Pabay View before turning and making her way around to Granny Isla’s unit. Before she could reach out for the handle, the door flung open, and her mum grappled her into a hug as Beau, her granny’s beagle, jumped up at her legs, giving excited yips.

‘Ah, Bella, my darlin’, I’ve missed you!’ her mum said with a squeeze. She was sporting a very sparkly top with a sausage dog on the front and the slogan ‘Dachshund Through the Snow’ embroidered in sequins and sparkly thread. Even Beau had a bandana on that read ‘Santa’s Little Helper’ which made Bella chuckle.

‘Hey, Mum,’ she said as she hugged her back. ‘It’s only been a couple of weeks. We saw you when we picked the Christmas tree up.’ She laughed.

‘Aye, well, we’ll soon be looking for a house over here if it’s anything to do with me, so it’ll only be days in between visits. Although, convincing your dad to retire is taking longer than I thought, which has set my plans back a wee bit.’ She huffed.

‘But he’s always talking about retiring, so I don’t get it. I’m sure he’d be happier.’

Her mum sighed. ‘Oh, don’t I know it. I just want to be closer to you, Harris and Isla. Speaking of Harris, where did he go dashing off to?’

‘He promised someone in Dunan he’d call in on them,’ Bella replied, knowing how strange it sounded.

‘On Christmas Day?’

Bella could see the incredulity in her mum’s expression. ‘He’s very committed to his role,’ she said, feeling a little defensive but also simultaneously disconcerted. What was really going on? Why would he take leave of them all on Christmas Day if it wasn’t an emergency?

‘Ahem, is this a private party or can anyone join in?’ Isla asked as she walked through from the lounge, her arms open wide.

‘Hi, Granny. Merry Christmas. Sorry, Mum was just asking where Harris was going.’

‘Oh, it’ll be some police business, I should expect,’ Isla replied quite nonchalantly, and Bella felt a little silly for worrying. She did a double take at her granny’s outfit, which consisted of a red sparkly top under an apron that, from the neck down, gave the illusion that she was in fact a very busty Mrs Claus, scantily clad in a bikini. Bella couldn’t hide her mirth.

‘Hi, love!’ Bella’s dad said as he joined the hallway gathering. ‘Merry Christmas!’ He hugged her and didn’t seem to notice the absence of her boyfriend.

She hugged him back. ‘Merry Christmas, Dad. Love the jumper!’ She pursed her lips in a pointless attempt to hide her amusement. It was a bright red affair with a rather goggle-eyed penguin on the front standing under mistletoe and in big white letters it read ‘Cwistmas Kisses’. Isla had clearly saved the less embarrassing creation for her best friend Maeve’s son, Harris, and given her own son something a tad more memorable. Some would call it favouritism, Bella thought, as she allowed a giggle to escape.

Her dad smoothed the jumper over his rounded belly. ‘Aye, it’s braw, isn’t it? A real belter,’ he said with a chuckle, obviously quite proud of his festive attire. He put an arm around his mum and gave her a squeeze as she beamed up at him.

‘Hey, sis. Look what Granny made me,’ Bella’s younger brother, Callum, said from the doorway. He twirled on the spot, showing off his navy-blue jumper complete with snowfall and a reindeer in the foreground whose antlers were decorated with baubles. It was quite sweet.

‘Wow, Granny, you have been busy,’ Bella said as she hugged Isla once more.

‘Aye, well, you know what they say, “Many hands make light work of the devil,”’ Isla said as she walked back through to the lounge, leaving everyone sharing questioning glances.

Bella’s dad crumpled his brow. ‘Who’s this “they” that says that?’ he whispered, following his question with a chuckle.

Bella shrugged and giggled. She removed her coat and hung it on the narrow dark-wood stand in the hallway with all the others and walked through to the lounge. The Dean Martin Christmas album played from the old turntable by the patio doors; the familiar hiss and crackle of the vinyl as it turned was another staple Christmas memory for Bella. It was Isla’s favourite festive record, and in the current track Mr Martin sang about a ‘White Christmas’ as the fragrance of cinnamon and cloves from a bowl of festive pot pourri mingled with the delicious aroma of turkey and stuffing emanating from the kitchen.

The wee white tinsel tree Isla had owned since time immemorial stood on a small table at the other side of the patio doors, its coloured lights rotating in a series of rather distracting patterns that could potentially cause a seizure if stared at for too long, and its old glass baubles and trinkets told a story of her granny’s life in vivid and gaudy, but fun, technicolor.

‘Hello, dearie, you look lovely as always,’ Harris’s mother, Maeve, said as she reached up to hug Bella. Maeve wore a pair of smart navy trousers, and a navy jumper embellished with holly and Christmas puddings.

‘And so do you, Maeve. I love your top.’

‘Och, wait ’til you see this!’ She reached down and fiddled with something on the hem and suddenly all the berries lit up and flashed.

Bella laughed. ‘That’s brilliant! Oh, and if you’re wondering where Harris is, he’s⁠—’

‘Dunan, aye, dearie, I know. Now let’s get you a drink. Tam!’ Bella thought it a little odd that neither Isla nor Maeve were baffled by Harris’s disappearing act; they clearly knew more than they were letting on.