Page 42 of The Scottish Island Wedding

‘Idiot!’ Elizabeth hissed. ‘Leave… leave… me alone.’ It was difficult for her to speak between her chattering teeth. Heather sat back, shocked.

‘Here. Let me.’ Annie took the cup from her gently. ‘Don’t listen. She probably doesn’t know what she’s saying.’

Heather nodded and stood up, unsure of what to do.

‘Her lips are blue.’ Gloria peered in concern at Elizabeth’s face, and took her pulse. ‘I think we should head back and get her off the water. Seen by a doctor too.’

Heather’s heart sank.

‘Oh. Of course. Yes. Let’s go back.’ She nodded. It was the only possible thing to do, and of course she wanted Elizabeth to be all right. She’d want anyone to be all right after falling in ice-cold water.

Violet appeared at her elbow.

‘Hey, babe. You okay?’ she said, and enveloped her twin in a hug.

Heather was going to say, Yes, sure, I just hope Elizabeth will be all right, but then she stopped herself. She felt the tears welling up in her throat because Violet had seen that she wasn’t okay. Violet had seen that she was upset before she’d admitted it to herself.

She’d been having such a lovely time. The boat trip was one of her all-time favourite things to do, and she’d seen a sea eagle circling one of the cliffs, just before the dolphins arrived. Both things felt like a blessing. Her heart had been full. Finally, this had felt right; as if things were headed in the right direction.

And then, suddenly, everything had gone wrong. She was concerned for Elizabeth, of course, but she was also disappointed, because now they had to go home, and they’d only just come out. She hadn’t got to see half of everything that had been planned, or enjoy the two families bonding together. This whole wedding seemed beset with setbacks and problems and Heather had had enough.

She hadn’t got to enjoy her day, because Elizabeth Campbell had been so desperate to get a phone signal. Because she hadn’t looked up from her phone for five minutes to actually enjoy the views or marvel at the beautiful nature around them. And she’d called Heather an idiot for trying to make her feel better. Violet saw her expression and enfolded her in a hug.

‘Hey. It’s okay,’ Violet murmured, as Heather rested her head on her twin’s shoulder.

‘Vi… I just don’t know why it can’t stop going wrong.’ Heather was really trying not to cry, but her voice wobbled.

‘Aw, twinnie. I know. This was bad luck. Maybe we need to sage you or something.’ Despite her making a gentle joke of it, Violet hugged her sister tighter. Heather felt the boat turning around; she peered out from over Violet’s shoulder and watched as the cliffs veered away, and the harbour at Portree, with its row of pastel-coloured houses, returned to view in the far distance.

‘What’s wrong with her?’ Clara asked.

‘Heather’s just a bit sad that her boat trip has had to be cut short, that’s all,’ Violet said. ‘She was really looking forward to it.’

‘How… selfish,’ Elizabeth muttered from where she sat. Heather was relieved to see that she was now holding the mug of hot chocolate, and looked slightly more alive. But the comment offended her. Selfish?

‘Excuse me? Heather is the least selfish person on this boat, and possibly the world,’ Violet retorted. ‘I think she’s allowed to be sad that you ruined her hen do.’

‘Violet… shhh, please…’ Heather whispered. ‘Don’t.’

‘It was an accident!’ Estella turned around from where she was sitting next to Elizabeth. ‘How can you be so cruel?’

‘It was an accident waiting to happen. She shouldn’t have been standing on the wet seat on a moving boat. Any child would know that,’ Violet spat. ‘Why was she even looking at her phone in the first place? What was it, the Harvey Nicks sale? Was it more important than building a relationship with your new in-laws?’

‘We don’t shop at sales,’ Estella replied, snootily.

‘Oh, spare me.’ Violet rolled her eyes.

‘Vi, please,’ Heather repeated. ‘Let’s just all go home.’

‘No way! We can get a car to take them to the clinic and the rest of us can go for a few drinks before lunch.’ Violet looked scandalised. ‘No way are you missing out on the rest of your day! She’s fine.’

‘I don’t know if Elizabeth is fine, and I’d feel terrible having a lovely lunch with all of you and the Campbells being at the clinic,’ Heather said in a low voice to her twin. ‘Can you just leave it, please?’

‘Heather, they’ve been so mean to you since they got here! I’m just saying what everyone thinks,’ Violet said, at volume. Heather winced. It was true, but she’d been trying so hard to keep the peace. Violet turned to Estella and Clara.

‘Yeah. I’m talking to you. Don’t try and act like all three of you haven’t had your noses in the air ever since you got here. You didn’t want to come today. You complained. You so clearly wanted to be anywhere else but here. I think I speak for everyone when I say we wish you hadn’t come, too.’ Violet’s eyes flashed and she stood with her hands on her hips.

‘Girls!’ Catriona got between Violet and Estella. ‘Can we just tone all this down a little, please? Lady Campbell’s not feeling very well, and tempers are obviously running high. We should all just calm down for a moment.’