Page 26 of The Scottish Island Wedding

‘Hey. Everything okay?’ Blossom asked.

‘Matty’s back.’ Heather showed her phone screen to her sister.

‘He took his time.’ Blossom raised an eyebrow. ‘All that work was a lot, huh.’

‘Yeah. Interesting that he disappeared to deal with some non-specific emergency work two weeks before our wedding, and then we find that notice. No one’s mentioned it. Just a little golf course in an area of importance for nature’s biodiversity.’ Heather realised that she was furious.

‘Well, now’s the time to ask him about it.’ Blossom shook her head.

They carried the shoe boxes into the castle and put them in one of the small storage rooms off the kitchen that Uncle James had put aside for her to use for the wedding.

‘Okay. That’s everything,’ Heather said, looking at the contents of the storeroom – as well as the shoes, there were boxes and boxes of wedding guest gifts, favours, napkins, candles – anything not perishable, like the flowers, that had to be delivered on the day of the wedding.

‘Good job, babe,’ Blossom said. ‘Look – unless you need me for anything else, I’m going to find Mum and see if I can get her to make some time to babysit.’

‘Yeah, of course! No problem. And if she can’t, then I will.’ Heather kissed her sister on the cheek. ‘I really don’t mind. I was being serious before.’

‘Okay. I’ll consider it.’ Blossom grinned. ‘Thanks, Heather. You’re always the kindest person.’

‘I don’t always feel it, but thanks.’ Heather shot her sister a smile.

‘Oh!’ Blossom stopped dead and reached into her pocket. ‘I am SO SORRY, Heather. I’ve been with you all morning and I totally forgot to give this to you.’ Blossom handed her an envelope. ‘It was in the post this morning, and Evelinda gave it to me to give to you.’

‘No problem. Thank you.’ Heather took the envelope. ‘Not sure why anyone would be sending me post to the castle, though, and not to the Inn.’

‘Wedding suppliers?’ Blossom asked.

‘No… I don’t think so. All of the paperwork’s been addressed to me at the Inn.’ Heather frowned. ‘Anyway. You get on. I’ll see you later.’

‘Okay. Love you.’ Blossom gave her a little wave; Heather sat down with the flower boxes and opened the envelope.

Inside, it wasn’t an invoice or some kind of receipt for something attached to the wedding; it was a short letter, printed from a computer. However, the person who had composed the letter had chosen an unusually elaborate font which mimicked stylised handwriting.

Dear Miss Balhennie,

I was concerned to read in the newspapers that you are soon to marry Matthew Campbell of the Campbells of Glenorchy.

You seem like a nice young woman, and come from an old and respectable family, so I am writing to caution you.

The Campbells of Glenorchy are disreputable and not to be trusted. Elizabeth Campbell is a fake and a liar. Ask her about Drumchapel.

Beware!

A friend

‘What the hell?’ Heather murmured, bewildered, as she turned the paper over. There was nothing else on the other side or in the envelope.

‘I thought I saw you drive up.’

Heather jumped; she’d been lost in her thoughts and hadn’t seen Matty walk in. She put the letter in her pocket; she’d have to think about it later.

‘My god. You scared me.’ Heather let out a shaky laugh.

‘Sorry. Hi.’ His eyes softened as he took her in.

‘Hello.’ She stared up at him, willing herself to stay strong, but the familiar sight of his face was almost too much to bear. Instinctively, she wanted to bury her head in his strong chest and breathe him in.

No. He has a lot of explaining to do before there’s any of that, she counselled herself.