Page 21 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

‘Aye, well, take some snacks wi’ you on the road. You can get all sorts of things to go these days. And anyway, why don’t they feed you up at that fancy hotel you’re working on?’

Bella tried not to roll her eyes but failed. ‘Because I’m not there long enough and I do a lot of the design work remotely.’ Mainly on account of the new manager trying to seduce me whenever I see him in person.

Her granny shook her head and folded her arms across her chest defiantly. ‘I’m just worried you’re catching an eating disorder. Princess Di had one, you know. But it doesn’t make it something to perspire to. They’re not a vibe, you know. They don’t slay, in spite of what you may think.’

Bella pursed her lips, this time trying not to laugh. Her granny really did spend too much time on TikTok. ‘I can assure you, Granny, I’m not aspiring to have an eating disorder. And you can’t catch them so stop worrying. But I love you for caring.’

These conversations were a regular occurrence and although they grated on Bella a little she knew they were coming from a place of love, so she tried not to let them get to her too much.

But even Bella was starting to see it more now. She’d even had to contact Olivia and give her new measurements for her wedding dress. Admittedly the situation with Carlton wasn’t helping matters. He seemed to think it was all a laugh but she was increasingly unhappy about the way he spoke to her. She had resolved that, if it hadn’t stopped, she would contact Mrs Somers and speak to her.

* * *

After dinner, Bella clipped on Bertie’s lead and she and Harris headed out to walk the dog. The weather had brightened as the day had progressed and it seemed strange to Bella that the sun had made an appearance as soon as she was on her way home to Harris. It was now descending and painting an amber glow over the pretty village of Glentorrin. It was a mild evening, and others seemed to be taking advantage of the weather too. Jules, Reid and Evin were out walking Chewie, and they stopped to say hello.

‘Are you excited about tomorrow?’ Jules asked with a bright smile.

Bella nodded. ‘I think so. But I’m nervous too.’

‘Aye, but it’ll be a good kind of nervous, surely?’ Reid asked. ‘It’s not every day you get a renowned designer to create your wedding gown.’

‘That’s true. And yes, I’m definitely a good kind of nervous. Plus, it will be lovely to see Freya and have a cuddle.’

‘How old is she now?’ Jules asked.

‘A year and eight months! She’s growing so fast.’

Jules ruffled Evin’s hair. ‘They have a habit of doing that,’ she said.

Evin’s face coloured pink, and he ducked. ‘Muuuum, mind ma hair!’ he said with a laugh. ‘We might see Grace walking Cleo.’

Evin, and Caitlin’s daughter, Grace, had been friends for a long time, but things seemed to be heading towards romance these days. Or that’s apparently what he hoped.

Jules pulled him into her side and kissed his head. ‘Ah, young love,’ she said with a wink.

‘Evin!’ came a female voice from the direction of the bakery and he waved.

‘Come on, lad, let’s go see Gracie and Cleo,’ Evin said as he patted his thigh and began to jog away towards the pretty red-haired girl and her little dog, with Chewie following obediently behind. ‘Have a nice time at Drumblair, Bella,’ he called over his shoulder.

‘Thanks, Evin,’ Bella replied.

Reid clapped his hands and rubbed them together. ‘So, who’s up for a cheeky wee drink at the Coxswain?’

Harris grinned. ‘You don’t have to ask us twice!’