Page 29 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

Bella’s shoulders relaxed. ‘Oh, I see, they’ve probably gone out again today. She’s an early riser. What’s the weather like there? It’s dry and bright here so perhaps she’s making the most of the sunshine while it lasts. She’s probably taken Beau for a wee walk.’

‘I wondered that too but…’ Dorothy fell silent.

Bella’s heart rate picked up, tripping over itself again. ‘But what, Dorothy?’

‘The thing is, Beau is with her neighbour Flora. But Flora can’t remember why she has the dog or where Isla said she was going.’

‘I’m sorry, what? That can’t be right. Flora must know something. And Granny takes Beau everywhere with her.’

Dorothy continued, ‘I should also mention that I, erm, checked the CCTV earlier and they never actually returned home yesterday. Bless her, Isla wouldn’t know this, but Flora has recently been diagnosed with the onset of dementia and can’t remember much recent stuff, but ask her to sing the Welsh national anthem, in Welsh, and⁠—’

‘Wait, hang on a minute. They? So, you’re saying Maeve is missing too?’ Her stomach took a dive once again as she turned and peered through the glass of the door to where her handsome fiancé was standing with his back to her. The pale blue linen of his shirt stretched across his muscular back as he listened to Olivia without a care in the world. He would be so worried when he found out his mum was missing along with her granny. But they couldn’t drive back because they’d been sampling the gin and had had wine with lunch.

‘Oh, sorry, yes, I’m afraid so,’ Dorothy almost whispered.

Bella’s heart pounded so hard she could almost hear it. ‘Oh God, Dorothy, why are you only finding out now that they’re missing? They could’ve been lying in a ditch all bloody night in the cold.’

‘Bella, I understand you’re upset but with the greatest of respect I’d like to remind you that this is a residential complex, not a high-security prison. The residents are allowed to come and go as they please. We don’t keep them locked down like inmates.’

Bella knew she was right but the anger she felt gripped her insides so tightly she couldn’t seem to unravel them. ‘I know that, I do, I’m sorry, Dorothy, but I’m really worried now. Ooh, have you asked Tam? Maybe he knows where they were going.’

Dorothy sighed. ‘I’m afraid Tam went to stay with his daughter on the day you left for Inverness, so it’s unlikely he would know anything. Oh… just hang on a second, the other line’s ringing.’

‘Dorothy, please don’t put me on h—’ The line fell silent. Bella growled and stamped her foot before dragging her hand back through her shoulder-length hair. She paced for a few moments and then stopped and peered in through the glass again, waving her hand at the middle-aged man who was standing beside Harris to get his attention. The man waved back with a crumple of confusion to his expression. She huffed and gestured again but this time by pointing her index finger in a jabbing motion at Harris. The man seemed totally baffled by what she was asking, and he contorted his face as he shrugged his shoulders. Eventually, after more of Bella’s aggressive gesticulations, his eyes widened in realisation, and he tapped Harris on the shoulder. The man said something to Harris, and he finally turned around to look in Bella’s direction, so she beckoned hurriedly for him to come outside.

He opened the glass door and stepped through the small gap. ‘What is it? What’s wrong?’

Bella, shivering now, sighed, wondering how on earth she could tell him. Blunt and direct was best, she decided. He was a policeman. It’s what he was used to. ‘We have two absconded octogenarians on our hands, Harris.’

He chuckled. ‘Eh? What are you on about?’

‘My granny and your mum⁠—’

The line clicked. ‘Erm… Bella…’ The hesitation in Dorothy’s voice wasn’t lost on Bella. ‘I’m so sorry to tell you this but… Tam isn’t at his daughter’s after all.’

Bella closed her eyes and shook her head. This couldn’t be happening. She opened them and looked into her fiancé’s concerned gaze. ‘Make that three.’