Page 28 of The Scottish Island Wedding

‘Um. Yeah, I did know. That was actually one of the things I was working on. I was going to tell you,’ he protested.

‘I cannot believe you!’ Heather cried. She got up and pushed past him.

‘Heather. Wait, please!’

‘No way. I need to get out of here.’ She ran out of the room, into the long corridor and out of the grand front door.

THIRTEEN

Heather headed to the stairs. She just needed to get away for a moment, and she was intending on hiding in the East Wing of the castle where nobody usually went. However, halfway up the palatial carved wood staircase, she ran into Matty’s sister.

‘Annie!’ she exclaimed, surprised but pleased to see her. She’d met Annie only once before, a month or so ago, when Matty had taken her over to Falkirk. They’d had a walk along the canal and ended up at a charming little pub where they’d played backgammon and several hands of cards. Matty had told Annie about the wedding after he’d proposed, he said – Heather had assumed that he’d also told the rest of his family then, but she now knew that he hadn’t.

‘Oh, hey there, Heather!’ Annie gave her a hug. ‘I was just coming to see if I could find the happy couple! I’ve just arrived.’

‘Oh, welcome!’ Heather slipped straight into gracious hostess mode. ‘Did you get here okay?’ She couldn’t very well say, I’m right in the middle of an argument with your brother; it wasn’t Annie’s fault.

‘Aye, not too bad. It’s further than you think, isn’t it? Ashamed to say I’ve never been to Skye before,’ Annie said. ‘It’s beautiful, though, isn’t it? So wild. I loved what I saw driving over. It would be great to go out and have a look around, if I could persuade anyone to be my tour guide?’

‘I’m sure that could be arranged.’ Heather felt a wash of relief at seeing a friendly face; unlike the rest of the Campbells, Annie had a calming aura that instantly made her feel better. Still, she was furious about what she’d just learned about the golf course. ‘In fact. I’ll take you now, if you like? I could do with getting out.’

‘Now? Um. Sure, okay!’ Annie nodded enthusiastically. ‘Is there somewhere we can get coffee?’

Heather clicked her fingers. ‘I know the perfect place. Muriel’s is our cute coffee-to-go spot.’

‘Is Matthew around? I should say hi,’ Annie said as they walked back down the stairs. ‘That said, I feel like I need to psych myself up before I say hi to Mother and her minions.’

‘And by minions, you mean…?’ Heather raised an eyebrow.

‘Her mini-mes. Estella and Clara. They drive me insane.’

‘Oh. Right. Well, they’re here, so we should probably duck out while we can. Matty’s… around.’

Heather’s face must have given her away, because Annie gave her a knowing look.

‘He not your favourite person at the moment?’ she asked.

They walked past the ballroom. Heather saw Matty being harangued by his mother and sisters-in-law through the half-open door. She pointed to them, indicating to Annie that they should be quiet.

‘Not right now, no.’ Heather picked up the keys to the Range Rover as they walked past the castle’s antiquated post nook: an anteroom near to the main entrance where post was arranged in a number of wooden cubbyholes and keys to the castle cars, vans, sheds and outhouses were arranged on a series of brass hooks.

‘Oh dear. What’s he done?’

They walked onto the drive and through the gardens to the private car park at the back of the castle.

‘I like how you assume it’s your brother and not me that’s done anything wrong.’ Heather chuckled.

‘I know my brother. He’s the best out of the three, but he’s still a Campbell, and a man. You, by comparison, are a straight-up goddess.’ Annie shrugged. ‘Come on, then. Spill it.’

Heather outlined what had been happening for Annie as she manoeuvred the car out of the car park and drove out of the castle grounds.

‘Wow. I had no idea. I’m so sorry, Heather.’ Annie sighed as Heather came to the end of the story, including the new information about the golf course. ‘I mean, I know that the family have various investments and that includes golf courses. I didn’t know they were planning one here – but then, I don’t get told about anything, being effectively disowned.’

‘No, I know that.’ Heather followed the long road away from the castle. ‘And, to add some weird into the mix, I just got this really odd letter in the post. Sort of threatening? About your mum. Here.’ Heather reached into her pocket for a moment and handed Annie the letter. ‘I don’t know what to make of it.’

Annie took it, unfolded the letter and read it. ‘Wow. Crackpot number 1,035 calling.’

‘What, you mean you’ve had something like this?’ Heather glanced at Annie, frowning. ‘I mean, I can definitely say I am not a fan of a crackpot knowing where I live. Or, well, I suppose I don’t live at the castle, but still.’