Page 2 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands (Scottish Highland #5)

Bella turned in his arms to face him. ‘On Christmas Day? Can’t they bury the hatchet for twenty-four hours like most people? So long as it’s not in each other , that is. I mean, for goodness’ sake, they did it in World War I.’

He laughed. ‘You can’t really compare a historical international conflict to that of two old gadgies arguing about a fence.’

She continued with a huff, ‘I believe I just did. You really do go above and beyond. I hope they appreciate it.’

‘Aye, I’m sure they do. Anyway, come on, let’s get going. The suspense on what jumpers the others have is killing me.’

* * *

Bella watched as Harris drove away from Pabay View before turning and making her way around to Granny Isla’s unit. Before she could reach out for the handle, the door flung open, and her mum grappled her into a hug as Beau, her granny’s beagle, jumped up at her legs, giving excited yips.

‘Ah, Bella, my darlin’, I’ve missed you!

’ her mum said with a squeeze. She was sporting a very sparkly top with a sausage dog on the front and the slogan ‘Dachshund Through the Snow’ embroidered in sequins and sparkly thread.

Even Beau had a bandana on that read ‘Santa’s Little Helper’ which made Bella chuckle.

‘Hey, Mum,’ she said as she hugged her back. ‘It’s only been a couple of weeks. We saw you when we picked the Christmas tree up.’ She laughed.

‘Aye, well, we’ll soon be looking for a house over here if it’s anything to do with me, so it’ll only be days in between visits. Although, convincing your dad to retire is taking longer than I thought, which has set my plans back a wee bit.’ She huffed.

‘But he’s always talking about retiring, so I don’t get it. I’m sure he’d be happier.’

Her mum sighed. ‘Oh, don’t I know it. I just want to be closer to you, Harris and Isla. Speaking of Harris, where did he go dashing off to?’

‘He promised someone in Dunan he’d call in on them,’ Bella replied, knowing how strange it sounded.

‘On Christmas Day?’

Bella could see the incredulity in her mum’s expression. ‘He’s very committed to his role,’ she said, feeling a little defensive but also simultaneously disconcerted. What was really going on? Why would he take leave of them all on Christmas Day if it wasn’t an emergency?

‘Ahem, is this a private party or can anyone join in?’ Isla asked as she walked through from the lounge, her arms open wide.

‘Hi, Granny. Merry Christmas. Sorry, Mum was just asking where Harris was going.’

‘Oh, it’ll be some police business, I should expect,’ Isla replied quite nonchalantly, and Bella felt a little silly for worrying.

She did a double take at her granny’s outfit, which consisted of a red sparkly top under an apron that, from the neck down, gave the illusion that she was in fact a very busty Mrs Claus, scantily clad in a bikini. Bella couldn’t hide her mirth.

‘Hi, love!’ Bella’s dad said as he joined the hallway gathering. ‘Merry Christmas!’ He hugged her and didn’t seem to notice the absence of her boyfriend.

She hugged him back. ‘Merry Christmas, Dad. Love the jumper!’ She pursed her lips in a pointless attempt to hide her amusement.

It was a bright red affair with a rather goggle-eyed penguin on the front standing under mistletoe and in big white letters it read ‘Cwistmas Kisses’.

Isla had clearly saved the less embarrassing creation for her best friend Maeve’s son, Harris, and given her own son something a tad more memorable.

Some would call it favouritism, Bella thought, as she allowed a giggle to escape.

Her dad smoothed the jumper over his rounded belly. ‘Aye, it’s braw, isn’t it? A real belter,’ he said with a chuckle, obviously quite proud of his festive attire. He put an arm around his mum and gave her a squeeze as she beamed up at him.

‘Hey, sis. Look what Granny made me,’ Bella’s younger brother, Callum, said from the doorway. He twirled on the spot, showing off his navy-blue jumper complete with snowfall and a reindeer in the foreground whose antlers were decorated with baubles. It was quite sweet.

‘Wow, Granny, you have been busy,’ Bella said as she hugged Isla once more.

‘Aye, well, you know what they say, “Many hands make light work of the devil,”’ Isla said as she walked back through to the lounge, leaving everyone sharing questioning glances.

Bella’s dad crumpled his brow. ‘Who’s this “they” that says that ?’ he whispered, following his question with a chuckle.

Bella shrugged and giggled. She removed her coat and hung it on the narrow dark-wood stand in the hallway with all the others and walked through to the lounge.

The Dean Martin Christmas album played from the old turntable by the patio doors; the familiar hiss and crackle of the vinyl as it turned was another staple Christmas memory for Bella.

It was Isla’s favourite festive record, and in the current track Mr Martin sang about a ‘White Christmas’ as the fragrance of cinnamon and cloves from a bowl of festive pot pourri mingled with the delicious aroma of turkey and stuffing emanating from the kitchen.

The wee white tinsel tree Isla had owned since time immemorial stood on a small table at the other side of the patio doors, its coloured lights rotating in a series of rather distracting patterns that could potentially cause a seizure if stared at for too long, and its old glass baubles and trinkets told a story of her granny’s life in vivid and gaudy, but fun, technicolor.

‘Hello, dearie, you look lovely as always,’ Harris’s mother, Maeve, said as she reached up to hug Bella. Maeve wore a pair of smart navy trousers, and a navy jumper embellished with holly and Christmas puddings.

‘And so do you, Maeve. I love your top.’

‘Och, wait ’til you see this!’ She reached down and fiddled with something on the hem and suddenly all the berries lit up and flashed.

Bella laughed. ‘That’s brilliant! Oh, and if you’re wondering where Harris is, he’s?—’

‘Dunan, aye, dearie, I know. Now let’s get you a drink. Tam!’ Bella thought it a little odd that neither Isla nor Maeve were baffled by Harris’s disappearing act; they clearly knew more than they were letting on.

Isla’s gentleman friend and neighbour, Tam, was seemingly in charge of beverages and was sporting a rather fetching green knitted waistcoat embellished with snowmen – clearly another wonderous Isla creation.

She must have started knitting last January , Bella thought.

With it, Tam wore a smart white shirt and his obligatory bow tie, the colour of which, on this occasion, matched his waistcoat.

He was a lovely, well-spoken and immaculately dressed man and she had grown very fond of him since she’d met him on Granny Isla’s moving-in day.

‘Ah, bella Bella, my dear, how lovely to see you. What can I get you to drink?’ He had taken to doubling up her name from early on and it endeared her to him even more.

‘Hi, Tam. I wasn’t expecting to see you, I thought you’d be spending Christmas with your daughter,’ Bella said as she kissed him on the cheek.

Tam gave a brief smile and broke eye contact.

‘Oh yes, well, she and her husband have jetted off to sunnier climes for the festive season. And anyway, I would’ve missed my lovely Isla.

’ A wave of sadness washed over Bella as it was clear from his crumpled brow that he was a little upset about being abandoned by his family at Christmas.

She placed a hand on his arm. ‘Well, lucky us, Tam. I’m sure I speak for the whole family when I say we’re happy to have you.’

His face brightened. ‘Oh, I think you deserve a nice chilled glass of prosecco, bella Bella.’ He hurried off to the small kitchen at the rear of the unit. ‘I’ll even pop a raspberry in there for you.’

* * *

Bella sipped the bubbly liquid from a rather large wine glass as she chatted to Maeve and Tam for a little while about the goings on at Pabay View – the place was like a soap opera, with new couples forming and then splitting up; arguments over who had won the Christmas charity raffle for the third year running, and insinuations that it had been fixed; mumblings of complaints over the types of puddings being served at the Sunday lunch club these days, and how they were clearly microwave offerings, which they never used to be; the drama of the Elvis impersonator who had been booked to sing at the Christmas party but had arrived clearly too drunk to perform and had proceeded to completely muck up the words to ‘Blue Christmas’.

Dorothy, the manager of the residential home, had sat him down with a strong cup of black coffee and then the residents had done karaoke with his gear while the inebriated man, in a bejewelled white satin jumpsuit and a bad, slightly squint wig, had waited for his disgruntled wife to come back and take him home.

And then they had all witnessed the poor, slight woman pack away said gear and struggle to manhandle the would-be Elvis into their little white van while she berated him and told him how she had known he had been too drunk to fulfil the gig, and that she had no idea why he hadn’t just listened to her and cancelled like she had suggested.

‘You’re an embarrassment to the name Elvis Aaron Presley, Graham Armstrong!’ she had apparently said as she had slammed the door and driven away.

Bella giggled as she listened to the antics of the residents and thought someone really should write a book about the place.

Then she caught up with her younger brother and listened as he enthused about his plans to move to Glasgow with his friends once he had found a job.

‘Glasgow’s where it’s all happening, Bells. Loads of gigs to attend, plenty of bars and cinemas. I can’t wait.’

* * *

After around half an hour, the front door opened, and Bella turned as a flash of chilly air preceded Harris into the living room.

In his arms was a huge cardboard box covered in the most stunning traditional holly-print gift wrap.

So, the person who he was visiting wanted to give him a gift , Bella thought.

It all made sense now. It was testament to how well thought of he was already.

‘Is everything okay?’ Bella asked as he was greeted by everyone.

‘Aye, all good,’ he replied with a nod. ‘Can I just have everyone’s attention for a moment?’ The conversation in the room fell silent and all eyes turned to him as he gently placed the box on the floor. ‘Erm, Bella, I have another wee gift for you,’ Harris told her as he stood.

Bella shook her head in surprise. ‘But, Harris, you already got me so much!’

‘Aye, but this one is extra special. Come on and open it.’

Bella crouched and noticed that the box wasn’t actually sealed. She opened the loosely folded cardboard flaps and gasped. Inside was the cutest ball of fluff she had ever seen.

Harris told her, ‘He needed a good home so I figured we could be his family.’

She reached in and lifted out the golden retriever puppy to a chorus of ‘awww’ from her family members.

The pale cream puppy wriggled in her hands and proceeded to lick her face and squeak excitedly.

Then he peed, which made everyone laugh, luckily he missed Bella’s clothing, and Granny Isla dashed to the kitchen for paper towels.

Bella’s eyes welled with tears. ‘Oh, my word, he’s gorgeous. Thank you, Harris!’

‘What will you call him?’ Harris asked.

‘I think he’s definitely a Bertie,’ she said, cuddling the pup to her body as more ‘awwws’ ensued and her family gathered around to greet him.

‘Bertie it is,’ Harris said with a smile. ‘Oh, and check out his collar. I got it especially with you in mind.’

Bella glanced down at the red, green and black tartan collar and gasped one more time.

‘Harris!’ Her eyes widened, and her gaze flicked up to him and then back at the simple yet elegant princess-cut diamond solitaire ring on a white-gold band that dangled from the dog’s collar on a tartan ribbon, its facets glinting in the lights of the wee Christmas tree.

It couldn’t have been more perfect if she had chosen it herself.

‘I’ve had a chat with your dad and got his approval to ask you a very important question,’ Harris said as he lowered himself to one knee, his eyes glassy with emotion.

‘Bella Douglas, I’m not great with fancy words, as you know, but I love you with all my heart.

And if you say yes, I promise to love you for as long as you’ll have me. So… will you marry me?’

‘Oh yes! Two hundred per cent yes!’

‘We told you she’d say yes!’ Isla blurted as she linked arms with Maeve, and now everything about their reaction when he’d left earlier made sense. They were in on it!

Harris stood from his position on the floor and scooped her into his arms, being careful not to squash Bertie, and kissed her passionately to a round of applause and cheers from everyone else in the room.