Page 66 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

‘Yes, don’t worry, he’s on his way. He was a wee bit delayed but I’m not worried,’ Bella replied. ‘He’ll make it in plenty of time.’ Then she noticed the expression on Mirren’s face and her heart stuttered. ‘Why? What’s wrong?’

Mirren swallowed and shook her head. ‘Oh… nothing… it’s nothing.’ She turned to Olivia. ‘Olivia, perhaps could I have a quick word with you in the corridor?’

Olivia stood. ‘Mirren? It doesn’t look like nothing. Is everything okay? Has something happened?’

She nodded and forced a smile. ‘I’m sure it’s all fine.’ And then almost immediately her face crumpled, and she shook her head. ‘It’s probably nothing at all but…’ She sighed deeply and pointed at the TV. ‘Switch on the news,’ she said. The three friends shared bewildered glances. So, she repeated herself, getting agitated and wagging her hand at the screen in the corner of the room, ‘The news, on the TV, switch it on.’

Bella sat upright, forcing the makeup artist to take a step back. ‘What is it? What’s wrong?’ Her heart began to thud in her chest; a pronounced and quick thump thump thump which was no longer about excitement but dread. ‘Is Harris okay? What’s happened, Mirren?’ Skye gripped her hand.

Olivia switched the TV on and flicked to the news channel. ‘Oh,’ was all she managed to say as she covered her mouth with her hand.

‘— So just to recap, we’ve had reports of a vehicle fire on the Skye Bridge at the midpoint between Kyle of Lochalsh and Glentorrin. The road is closed in both directions and fire services and police are in attendance. There are not believed to be any casualties at this time,’ the female newsreader was saying, and on the screen, as she spoke, was a scene of chaos. Police cars with their blue lights strobing could be seen blocking the traffic from entering the bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh side, which meant no one was getting off it either. Crowds of onlookers had gathered to watch events unfolding. ‘I repeat there are thankfully no casualties reported,’ the newsreader reiterated as arcs of water and billowing smoke could be seen in the distance, ‘but, as today is Christmas Eve, we have to warn you there may be a fair bit of disruption for the foreseeable future, for those hoping to access or leave the island, as the road will likely be closed for some time until the fire is completely extinguished, there is no danger to life and the damaged vehicle can be safely removed.’

‘See, no casualties, which is good,’ Olivia said as she looked across the room to Bella.

Bella felt the colour drain south from her face and she grabbed her phone and immediately dialled Harris’s number. It went straight to voicemail. She tried again and the same happened, so she typed out a text:

Harris, are you ok? We’ve just seen that there’s been a vehicle fire on the bridge. I’m worried about you. Please call me.

Skye walked over to Bella and put her arm around her. ‘It said no casualties, Bells. He’s probably driving. In fact, judging by the time he set off he should have passed the bridge by the time the fire happened. You know he won’t answer the phone when he’s driving.’

‘She’s right, hen,’ Isla said. ‘I’m sure he’ll call you on the WhatsUp if he pulls over. Or he might just come straight here and not bother stopping.’

Bella’s phone rang and she answered it immediately. ‘Harris?’

‘Oh… sorry, no, love, it’s Mum. I was just wondering if he’d arrived yet.’

‘No, Mum. We’re still waiting for him.’

There was a brief pause where she could hear her dad mumbling something in the background. ‘Okay… it’s just that…’

‘It’s okay, Mum, I know about the fire on the Skye Bridge. We’re hoping he was already across when it happened.’

‘Okay, love. Keep me posted though if you hear from him.’

Bella nodded. ‘I will.’ She ended the call and slumped onto the sofa. ‘What if he’s stuck? What if he doesn’t make it in time? Or… what if it’s his car that’s on fire?’

‘Let’s not think about that until we know more, eh?’ ‘Chapel of Love’ began to play on Harris’s Spotify song list and Skye reached down to Olivia’s phone to stop the track. ‘He’ll be here, Bells.’

Time ticked slowly by whilst they sat and waited for news. Bella’s mum and dad had joined them, as had Tam, and of course Maeve, who was worried about her son. Mirren rushed about making everyone cups of tea and handed out shortbread to keep everyone going and pretty much give them something to do to occupy their time and Dougie kept the fire stoked, poking it frequently as if it was the only thing he could do to feel useful.

Bella kept ringing Harris in the hope he would answer. He didn’t.

* * *

Twelve o’clock arrived and still there had been no word from Harris. The makeup artist had gone, and the rest of the wedding guests had arrived. Everyone had been relocated to the dining room for more space. Everyone was standing around in their wedding finery talking in hushed whispers as if they felt it disrespectful to speak any louder.

Bella, her two best friends and Granny Isla sat still dressed in their robes, silently wondering what to do while the other members of the family and their friends waited with them. Bella’s knee bounced up and down in a rhythm of its own as she peered around the room, taking it all in in a bid to keep her mind occupied. As the wedding reception was taking place in the picture gallery at the other end of the castle, the dining room had already been decorated in readiness for their Christmas lunch the day after, and a stunning garland of greenery with red velvet ribbons and pinecones was draped across the large marble fireplace. The fresh smell of pine wafted through the air, filling the space with the inimitable fragrance of Christmas. There was a huge Christmas tree in the corner with piles of gifts wrapped in shimmering paper beneath it, the lights twinkled, and Bella found herself staring at them, entranced, as she thought back to the last Christmas she had spent with Harris; the Christmas he had proposed to her in front of their families. She missed him terribly, even though it had only been a couple of days since she left their home, and the current situation only made things worse.

Harris’s best friend and best man to be, Neil, came over to speak to her. ‘Bella, love, d’you want me to go pick up my bike and go see if I can find ’im? I can bring ’im back pillion if he’s stuck on’t bridge. I’ve got a spare ’elmet.’ His deep voice and Yorkshire accent thick and familiar.

Bella reached out and touched his arm, grateful for his offer. ‘Thanks, Neil, I really appreciate the offer, but let’s just wait until we hear from him. I don’t want to send you all that way if it’s not necessary.’

He nodded. ‘Aye, all reyt, love. But just say’t word an’ I’ll go.’

There was a knock on the door and Olivia went to see who it was. ‘Oh, hi, Esme, is everything okay?’

Olivia’s PA stepped sheepishly into the room. Olivia had mentioned earlier that she hadn’t been due to work Christmas Eve but had heard what was happening and had run over from her cottage in the grounds to offer any help she could.

‘Sorry to bother you, Lady Olivia,’ Esme said, ‘but the photographer is wondering if she can take shots of the bride and bridesmaids getting ready.’

Skye placed a hand on Bella’s arm. ‘Maybe you should get your wedding dress on, Bells. Let’s have some photos done, eh? You need to be ready for when he gets here. Because he will get here.’

Bella burst into tears. ‘What’s the point if my groom isn’t coming? You say he’ll be here, but he hasn’t been in touch so I’m not sure what to think.’

Her mum and dad enveloped their daughter in an embrace. ‘Come on, love, don’t think like that,’ her dad said, his voice wavering, evidently hating seeing his daughter in distress, and even more so on her wedding day.