Page 40 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands (Scottish Highland #5)
She had spent the last couple of days on her laptop gazing dreamily at images of Florence and reading up about the Accademia Gallery where Michelangelo’s David was on display.
She wanted to visit the Ponte Vecchio and wander through some of the beautiful neighbourhoods, hand in hand with her new husband, admiring the architecture and experiencing the real Florence.
She couldn’t quite believe she was actually going to be there, let alone as a newlywed.
She considered getting another suitcase for all the souvenirs she would no doubt be purchasing.
All the RSVPs had been received and dealt with, and she and Harris had spent a whole evening working on the seating plan which, once completed, had been forwarded to Olivia along with a box of disposable cameras that were to be put on each table.
She wanted as many photos as humanly possible so they could revisit their wedding whenever they wanted.
Bertie was of course coming to the wedding – he had the job of ring bearer seeing as he had done so well with the engagement ring, and a special tuxedo bib, like the ones Wilf and Marley had worn for Olivia and Brodie’s wedding, had been obtained in readiness – and then he was going home with Jules and Reid to stay with them until Bella and Harris returned.
Everything was coming together now and with only a week until the big day the nerves had kicked up a notch.
Bella was barely sleeping and her dreams were filled with bizarre incidents such as her forgetting to put on her wedding dress and walking down the aisle in her undies; and Bertie eating all the wedding cake and pulling all the table cloths off the tables when people were trying to eat, causing utter chaos; and Granny Isla being kidnapped by the mob; and, worst of all, being ditched at the altar.
On numerous occasions she awoke suddenly, sitting up and crying out into the darkness, after which Harris pulled her into his arms, doing his best to soothe her. But it kept on happening.
As they sat at the table after one such fitful night, she caught Harris watching her. ‘What? Do I have jam on my face?’ she asked, putting her slice of toast back on the plate.
He shook his head, reached out and took her hand.
‘No, it’s not that. You just… you look tired, sweetheart.
I’m worried about you. These horrible nightmares need to stop but I don’t know how to help.
I don’t understand why you’re so stressed when everything is going well.
We’ve got everything prepared. There’s really nothing for you to worry about.
You should be excited and looking forward to our wedding, not worrying about what could go wrong.
I want you to enjoy the build-up, not feel anxious the whole time. ’
She gave a deep sigh. ‘I know. I know. I just feel this awful sense of dread that something bad is going to happen. I don’t want to feel this way, but I can’t seem to help it.’
‘Tell you what. Why don’t you go to Drumblair a couple of days early, and take Bertie with you?
That way you can spend a couple of nights before the wedding with Skye and Liv.
They wanted to throw you a wee bridal shower so maybe you should let them, even if it’s just the three of you. What do you think?’
‘But that would mean my girlfriends from Skye couldn’t attend, and Granny Isla and my mum. Wouldn’t they be upset about that?’
His brow furrowed. ‘Hey, you’re one person.
You can’t take on the worries of the world or you’ll drive yourself mad.
And you’d decided you weren’t having a bridal shower, so they already know they’re not invited to one.
And I’m pretty sure they’ll totally understand that you’re spending time with your oldest friends. ’
Bella nodded. ‘Maybe you’re right. But what about Granny, Tam and your mum getting to Drumblair?’
‘Don’t worry about them, either. Your mum and dad don’t have room for them all in their car with Callum being at theirs, so I’ve already booked Rab’s Cabs to take them the day before the wedding and he’s coming to pick them up on Boxing Day to take them home.
So actually, Isla and my mum could come to the bridal shower if you hold it the night before.
And your mum and dad will be there by then too.
Mum, Isla and Tam are booked into one of the holiday apartments at the castle, as are your folks and Callum, so it’s all good, they’re taken care of. ’
Bella’s heart tripped over itself. ‘But what about everyone else?’
‘Everyone else from Skye is sorted. They’re all heading over after work on the day before the wedding too.
Some are staying at the Glenmoriston Town House and some at the Kingsmills.
They’re not our worry though, sweetheart.
They’re all sorting themselves out, and not only that but they’d all be upset if they knew you were spending time fretting about them.
So, there you go, that’s a few less things for you to think about, eh?
Why don’t you go and give Olivia a call before you start work?
I think she’ll be happy to have you a couple of days early.
And you’re your own boss so no one to answer to there. ’
He was right and she really did need to relax for her own sanity.
‘And you’re still planning on coming over on the morning of the wedding? Is that wise leaving it until the last minute like that?’
‘Bella, darlin’, it’s only a two-hour drive.
I’ll set off at the crack of dawn and I’ll come in the Jeep so I’m fine if it snows.
I can bring my suitcase for the honeymoon and what I’m wearing for the wedding with me so it’s all good.
I’ve got it all straight in my mind. Another thing you can tick off your worry list.’
He was right. She was making mountains out of molehills.
And she desperately wanted to enjoy the run-up to the wedding so maybe going to Drumblair early was a good idea.
She still would have preferred that Harris came over the day before the wedding, so he at least had time to relax beforehand, too, but the police force was still experiencing staff shortages on the island, and he had a colleague coming down from Portree to cover while they were on their honeymoon, so he had a handover to do.
He wasn’t worried in the slightest, so Bella decided that she shouldn’t be either.
* * *
Bella arrived at Drumblair in the rain on the morning of 22 December.
Olivia had been excited to hear she was coming early and had immediately sprung into action to make arrangements for an afternoon tea party bridal shower at the castle for the next day.
Mirren had already been enlisted to make cakes and shortbread.
Luckily, she didn’t have to be asked twice where hospitality was concerned; it was in her blood, and Skye was on decorating duty.
‘The tables will already be set out in the picture gallery for the reception so we’re having it in there,’ Olivia said excitedly as she scribbled things on her iPad.
‘Please don’t go to loads of trouble, Liv. I’m happy with just a movie and some popcorn.’
‘Nope. We’re having afternoon tea with the fancy cake stands from the café. I’ve already ordered the sandwiches from Noah.’
Bella huffed. ‘Wouldn’t he rather be off just before Christmas?’
‘No, he was happy to do it. He’s a great guy. And he has a few leftovers from the café anyway so we’re doing him a favour really because he hates waste.’
‘The thing is, Liv, I don’t want to get drunk the day before my wedding. I want to meet Harris at the altar feeling fresh and hangover free.’
‘That’s fine. We’ll stick to tea and coffee and a glass of alcohol-free fizz,’ Olivia said with a shrug. She had thought of everything.
* * *
The afternoon of the 23rd rolled around quickly and Bella was ordered to stay away from the picture gallery until Olivia messaged her to say she could come through.
It seemed an awful lot of fuss for half a dozen people.
But nevertheless, she had made a special effort to look nice and had worn one of her favourite new dresses in midnight-blue that was fitted at the waist with a flowing skirt.
It had a 1940s look about it and felt quite appropriate for an afternoon tea.
When the WhatsApp message arrived, Bella dutifully walked through the large, curved oak door into the gallery and was met with a chorus of, ‘Surprise!’ As well as her mum, Granny Isla, Maeve and Mirren, all her friends from Skye were there too.
Jules, Caitlin, Millie, Morag and Ruby had all come to celebrate with her, and Sergeant Mel was there too.
Skye adorned her with the obligatory Bride to Be sash and plastic tiara, like she had won a Miss World contest, and thrust a beautiful bouquet of flowers into her hand.
Feeling more than a little emotional, Bella hugged each of her friends in turn before glancing around the Drumblair picture gallery at the decorations.
There were white pearlescent helium balloons, weighted down with silver love hearts, silver horseshoe confetti had been sprinkled on each table, bottles of alcohol-free prosecco were on hand so they could still celebrate with a bit of fizz, and there was a large photo of Bella Blu-Tacked to a whiteboard easel, with a piece of white net attached to a magnet.
‘Ooh, goody, we’re going to play pin the veil on the donkey!’ Isla said with a chuckle.
‘Charming, thanks, Granny.’
Isla reached up and patted her cheek. ‘You know I’m only kidding, dearie. You’re going to be a beautiful bride.’