Page 41 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands (Scottish Highland #5)

They were surrounded by the incredible paintings of Olivia’s ancestors watching over them as they took their seats at the tables that had been laid out for them by Mirren and her assistant Cecily.

Lots of familiar faces that Bella remembered from her childhood visits to Drumblair were there, frozen in time in oil on canvas.

She remembered Lady Freya, Olivia’s mum, telling them stories about each of the people pictured and how they were related to Olivia.

It was truly fascinating, and they were some of the most intriguing stories she had ever heard.

Olivia stood and clinked her glass with a fork.

‘Good afternoon, ladies! Thank you for being here on this very exciting occasion where Bella waves goodbye to being a “singleton” and prepares to join the “smug marrieds” club.’ The Bridget Jones reference made Bella giggle.

‘You’ll all be happy to know this is a man-free zone.

Just us girls for a wee while.’ The women cheered good-naturedly.

The waiting staff from the café began to bring the cake stands in and place them on each table along with pots of tea and coffee. Classical music played in the background as the women chatted and ate finger sandwiches, mini quiches and a selection of fresh cream scones and cupcakes.

‘Look at us, eh?’ Granny Isla said. ‘We’re the pineapple of sophistimacation.’

Bella giggled. ‘I think you mean pinnacle, Granny, and sophistication.’

Isla took a big bite of her fresh cream scone, most of the cream ending up on her nose. ‘Aye, that’s what a said,’ she mumbled.

Isla clinked her spoon against her glass. ‘I’d like to make a wee speech if I may.’

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the purple-haired woman who suddenly looked like a rabbit in headlights.

‘Ahem… Thank you for coming today to celebrate my beautiful Arabella’s last day of being single.

I just wanted to say a few words. But now I’ve got your attention my mind’s gone blankety blank.

’ Everyone giggled. ‘My granddaughter has always had a special place in my heart. We’ve always been such good friends, and she has looked after me since she moved in with me a few years ago.

We had some fun times together and I can honestly say I am the luckiest old woman on earth to have such a special person in my life. ’

Her chin trembled. She turned to Bella. ‘You are the most important person in my life, dearie, aside from your brother, of course. And your dad. Oh, and your mum. Ooh, heck, and my new husband. And obviously Beau’s quite important but he isn’t really a person.

’ Giggles travelled the room. ‘Sorry, I think I’ve drunk too much coffee, I think I need to start drinking decapitated instead.

’ Everyone laughed. ‘What I mean to say is, Arabella, I’ve loved you from before I held you in my arms on the day you were born.

And I’m grateful to have you in my life. I’d love to give you this necklace.’

Isla reached into her handbag and took out a velvet box.

‘It was a wedding gift for me from your lovely grandad, God rest him, and I’d like you to have it as your something old.

’ She walked to stand behind Bella and fastened a white-gold chain around her neck with a heart-shaped pendant encrusted with tiny marcasite stones.

‘It’s not diamonds because we weren’t well off, but it may as well have been for how much it meant to me. ’

Bella touched the pendant where it sat perfectly just below her throat and tears spilled over from her eyes. She stood and pulled Isla into her arms. ‘Thank you, Granny. It’s perfect.’

* * *

The afternoon was wonderful and flew by.

Olivia set her phone up on a table, set the timer going and took a group shot of the friends, and Bella felt herself relaxing.

The worries of the previous week or so dissipated, leaving her shoulders where they were supposed to be instead of up by her ears.

The feeling of impending doom had been replaced with a feeling of love and excitement.

And at the end of afternoon, she hugged everyone goodbye and thanked them all, telling them she would see them tomorrow before retiring to her bedroom to get an early night.

Harris video called her at nine o’clock when she was in her pyjamas, sitting on the bed cuddling Bertie.

He was propped up in their bed at home, shirtless and ready for an early night too. ‘How was it?’ he asked.

‘Great fun. We ate cake and drank tea; we played pin the veil on the bride and apparently, I’m wearing mine all wrong because judging by the efforts of the afternoon it should be worn on the nose or the left boob.’

Harris laughed. ‘I mean, I’m all for breaking tradition, but I still think wearing it on your head would be best.’

Bella nodded. ‘Yeah, I think that’s what I’ll probably go with.’

‘Was it a nice surprise seeing everyone there?’

‘It was brilliant. I had just expected a small thing, so it was really lovely. But I’m ridiculously tired now.’

‘That’s the worry wearing you out. You’ll sleep like a log tonight, I bet. Well, that is if Bertie doesn’t keep you awake snoring anyway.’

Bella giggled. ‘It’ll make a change from you snoring.’

Harris gasped and feigned shock. ‘How very dare you?’

‘Just think, the next time I see you it’ll be at the chapel.’

‘Speaking of which, I’ve sent you a link to a Spotify playlist I’ve put together for you for while you girls are getting ready. I think you’ll like it.’

‘Aww, you’re so sweet, thank you.’

‘You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’ll let you go and get some sleep. And I’ll see you tomorrow at the chapel. Don’t forget your lines though, eh?’

She tapped her chin and pursed her lips. ‘It’s… erm… I’ll consider it, isn’t it? Wait no… It’s oh, go on then, if I must?’

He laughed. ‘Goodnight, Arabella Douglas. Tonight’s the last time you go to sleep with that name.’ Her heart skipped at his words. ‘I love you so, so much, and I can’t wait to be married to you.’

‘And I you. Sweet dreams.’

The call ended and Bella switched off her bedside lamp.