Page 19 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands (Scottish Highland #5)

‘Please call me and keep me updated, won’t you?’ Olivia said as she clung tightly to Bella. ‘I really want to come with you, Bells. I can’t stay here and?—’

‘Hey, of course you can stay here,’ Bella said. ‘You have the launch going on and important people here. You can’t leave now, Liv, you’ve worked towards this day for so long.’

‘But you and Isla are far more important to me than they are,’ Olivia insisted, a crease of worry indented her forehead. ‘You’re family to me.’

Bella pulled back from the embrace and fixed her determined gaze on her best friend. ‘Please, Olivia, stay here and enjoy your launch. You’ve worked so hard to get to this point and I won’t spoil it. My granny wouldn’t want that either. I promise I’ll call you with any developments.’

Olivia nodded, albeit with evident reluctance. She sighed. ‘Do you want me to contact your mum and dad?’

Bella shook her head. ‘No, they’re away for a few days and I’d rather not worry them until I know what’s going on.’

‘I really hope they’re all okay.’

Bella nodded and forced a smile. ‘They will be. They’ve maybe got lost and don’t have a phone charger or something equally as simple and silly.

And Tam can’t be in the same place as Maeve and Granny Isla because he left a day earlier so I’m sure his family are dealing with his absence.

One less thing to worry about at least.’ She tried to believe her own words and hoped desperately that she was right, even though her knotted stomach protested vehemently.

Newly promoted Sergeant Mel Sherburn, one of Harris’s former colleagues from the Inverness Police Station, was waiting in the driver’s seat of a police car as Bella and Harris said goodbye to their hosts.

Harris hugged Olivia and shook hands with Brodie and then he and Bella climbed into the waiting vehicle.

Bella tried her best to keep her composure as they pulled away along the long driveway of Drumblair Castle, but her heart pounded, and her jaw clenched almost involuntarily.

She twisted in her seat to watch the stone structure and her best friend receding into the distance.

The cornflower-blue sky that formed a backdrop to the building brought back memories of happy times playing hide and seek in the castle grounds.

The castle had always been special to Bella and working with Olivia to bring it to the public had been such a privilege.

It was always a pleasure to visit and always so sad to leave but today was extra painful.

* * *

Earlier that morning, before the launch event, Bella had awoken in one of the beautiful castle suites with Harris beside her.

They had made love in an antique four-poster bed and had eaten a leisurely breakfast delivered to their room by Cecily, Mirren the housekeeper’s new assistant.

After breakfast, they had been taking advantage of uncharacteristically warm autumn weather, walking down by the loch with Olivia and Brodie and had called in at the little chapel on the shore.

‘Just think, Bells, you and Harris will be walking down this very aisle in a few months’ time,’ Olivia had said, squeezing Bella’s hand.

‘Imagine this, there’ll be fresh flowers all across this back wall.

Even though you’re having a winter wedding we’ll make sure the air is filled with wonderful fragrance.

And I thought fairy lights and candles too.

The violinist will play you in, unless you want a particular Spotify playlist, we have enhanced Wi-Fi down here now, so we could do that if you’ve changed your mind, it’s an easy amendment.

All the pews will have flowers at the ends, and I’ve arranged some lovely framed photos of the two of you to go on the ledges in between the candles.

Oh, and of course, there’ll be a gorgeous Christmas tree from the nursery, I’ve already spoken to Kerr, and it’s ordered as priority. What do you think?’

Bella had sighed in contentment as she imagined the beautiful chapel all decked out.

‘Sounds amazing. And so romantic. I still can’t believe it’s happening.

I’m getting married at Christmas, Liv!’ Both women had squealed and jumped up and down on the spot like the giddy schoolgirls they had once been, Bella’s heart had skipped, and her stomach had rolled over with excitement.

Their respective partners had looked on, laughing and shaking their heads.

Once their silliness had subsided, Olivia had said, ‘He foxed us all by not proposing on Valentine’s Day last year as we’d all predicted, we’d all been wagering on it, but I love that he chose Christmas morning. So romantic.’

‘Who, me?’ Harris had said as he’d arrived beside them and slipped his arm around Bella’s shoulders.

‘You’ve done it now, mate,’ Brodie had said with a chuckle. ‘You’ve a reputation to uphold as Mr Romance.’ He’d nudged Harris with his shoulder. ‘Think of how you’re going to have to one-up yourself every year.’

Harris had kissed Bella’s head and said, ‘Aye, well, there’s worse jobs. Seriously though, thank you again for letting us have the wedding here. It’ll be great.’

Olivia had beamed. ‘It’s our pleasure. You’re like family to us and it’s always been Bella’s dream to get married here, so I’m excited to help that dream come true.’ She’d turned to Bella. ‘You’re going to be the most stunning bride.’

‘I second that,’ Harris had said.

‘And I’m so happy you’ve allowed me to design your dress. Harris, you’re in for a real treat and that’s all I’m saying.’

Olivia’s designs were stunning, and Bella couldn’t quite believe her luck to have had her working on the most important outfit of her life so far. Bella had hugged her. ‘Who else would I trust to do such a significant thing?’

* * *

How wonderful things had felt only hours earlier. But now she was facing the prospect of Granny Isla being injured or lost. How could she think about getting married without her maid of honour? And how could she be happy until she knew her granny’s fate?

Back in the present, Bella turned to face the front of the car and cleared her throat, trying to shake off the sadness that had descended over her.

‘Thank you so much for taking us back to Skye, Mel. I’m so sorry we’ve had to rope you into this,’ Bella said to Sergeant Sherburn, who was in her civvies, and her long, wavy dark hair, usually tied in a neat chignon or bun, was today loose around her shoulders as she drove the police car.

‘We really could’ve got a taxi. I hate that we’ve interrupted your day off. ’

‘Aw, dun’t worry, love. It’s fine. I won’t hear of you getting a cab when I can take you. Owt for good mates,’ she replied in her broad Yorkshire accent. ‘And anyway, I’d rather this than have to arrest yer for driving over’t limit.’ She winked at her in the rearview mirror.

Bella smiled briefly. ‘I just feel bad for taking advantage of the police car. It’s not exactly ethical.’ She cringed as she gripped the leather of the seat. It was her first time in the back of a squad car that she could recall, and she was surprised at how clean it smelled.

Mel shrugged. ‘Well, technically it’s a missing persons case, and Isla and Maeve both have links to Inverness. Honestly, it’s reyt . Neil’s got my car up on’t ramp. Summat wrong wi’t exhaust this time, or I’d have brought that old heap. I reckon it might be time to get shut of it.’

Harris chuckled. ‘Hey, that’s no way to talk about my best buddy. Getting rid of him’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?’ He was evidently trying to alleviate the stress of the situation.

Neil, Mel’s husband, was a close friend of Harris’s and a mechanic who owned a vehicle repair shop in Inverness. He had, in fact, been responsible for saving Bella’s prized Citroen, Fifi.

Mel laughed. ‘As if I could even think abart it. He’s something I can’t get shut of.’ She laughed. ‘Anyway, have you tried to phone Isla again? Or Maeve?’

Bella sighed. ‘Yes, I’ve rung both mobiles but they’re going to voicemail.

I’ve left half a dozen messages but no reply so far.

I’m so worried. And I feel really bad about not telling my mum and dad what’s going on.

What if something awful’s happened and I haven’t made them aware?

’ Her chin trembled and she closed her eyes briefly as she tried to stop the threatening tears from escaping.

Harris reached around and rubbed her leg as it was all he could touch from his position in the front passenger seat. ‘It’s best not to worry them until we know the facts, Bells, sweetheart. My team on Skye are out looking, and they’ll call me if they hear anything.’

Bella couldn’t settle in spite of his attempts to ease her mind.

She watched as the trees and their shedding leaves of russet and orange whizzed by her window at speed and once they reached a clearer patch of road, she stared off into the purple-hued mountains in the distance, their tops circled by fluffy crowns of white cloud, and tried not to imagine her granny and her best friends out there somewhere, injured or in difficulty.

‘Dorothy rang around the hospitals and medical centres earlier but… nothing,’ she said, thinking out loud.