Page 64 of The Scottish Island Wedding

‘Okay. Let’s have a toast, then.’ Catriona raised her glass. ‘To Heather Balhennie: the most beautiful bride. Here’s to a lovely wedding day, and a wonderful life ahead.’

‘Cheers! Slainte Mhath!’ The sisters clinked their glasses.

‘Has Tom got the children now?’ Primrose asked, sipping her champagne.

‘No, Tam’s keeping them busy with Dad,’ Sorrel said. ‘He said he’d take them out in the snow to build snowmen.’

‘Aww. That’s lovely. Thanks, Sorrel.’ Blossom looked sad. ‘You’d think it would occur to Tom to do that, though. As their actual father.’

‘Well, Tam doesn’t mind.’ Sorrel looked slightly awkward. ‘He’s good with little ones.’

‘Do you think you’ll have any babies, Sorrel?’ Bluebell asked.

‘Oh, I don’t know. It’s very early days.’ Sorrel blushed a little, but she looked happy at the thought. ‘It would be nice, but we haven’t planned to. We’re just enjoying things as they are, for now.’

‘You’d make such a good mum.’ Catriona beamed. ‘As would you, Heather. And all of you, if that was what you chose to do. Of course, having a family isn’t the only option open to women any more.’ She held up a finger. ‘I want you all to know that it isn’t an expectation. All your father and I want is for you to be happy.’ Tears welled in Catriona’s eyes. ‘Sorry, girls. I just get so emotional these days. It’s not a bad thing, but…’ She shrugged. ‘I’m still getting used to letting my emotions out rather than pretending they don’t exist. And today is a very emotional day.’

‘Someone give her a hug,’ Violet chuckled. ‘I’ve got these curlers to set, and then I’ve got to do Heather’s make-up.’

Bluebell hugged her mother.

‘Come on, Mum. Have a bit of champagne,’ she suggested. ‘You’re going to be fine. It’s going to be such a lovely day.’

‘I don’t think we should go too mad on the champagne before the ceremony.’ Heather took her glass and sipped a little. ‘We don’t want to turn up tipsy.’

‘Heather, please chill. One bottle only makes a small glass each for seven people.’ Violet rolled her eyes. ‘We can open another one and it’s still one glass each. Here. Have some snacks. You get grumpy when you’re hungry.’ Violet handed her the bowl of cheese straws.

‘Okay. I mean, you can go crazy after the ceremony if you want.’ Heather bit into a deliciously buttery, cheesy pastry straw. ‘Well. After we’ve done the photos.’

‘Question: are we doing the photos in the snow?’ Primrose asked. ‘And follow-up question: if we are doing photos in the snow, can I wear my coat and some appropriate footwear? In fact, can I just wear trainers under this dress anyway? I hate these kitten heels.’ She picked them up and dangled them with a suspicious look on her face.

‘No, you cannot wear trainers!’ Heather glared at her sister.

‘Nobody’s going to look at my feet, for god’s sake,’ Primrose grumbled.

‘Well, they will, if you’re wearing an elegant bridesmaid’s dress and Nike Air Maxes. So, no,’ Heather retorted.

‘They’re Under Armour, actually. But sure. It’s your day.’ Primrose sighed. ‘I’ll just suffer in silence.’

‘I feel like I can still hear you.’ Violet shot Primrose a stern look.

‘Jeez. Okay, zipped.’ Primrose mimed zipping her lips. ‘But I reserve the right to put trainers on for the ceilidh. Which I would advise all of you to do, actually. A ceilidh in kitten heels is a sure-fire way to find yourself in A&E.’

‘I will take that risk,’ Heather laughed. ‘But I permit trainers for the ceilidh.’

‘Ah, you girls,’ Catriona said mistily. ‘I do love you all so much.’

‘We love you too, Mum.’ Sorrel popped open the second bottle of champagne and topped up everyone’s glasses. ‘This time, I think we should toast you. To Catriona Balhennie: Queen and Mother of the Bride!’ she exclaimed. ‘Come on, everyone. Let’s do this properly.’

The sisters gathered in a circle around Catriona and raised their glasses.

‘Catriona Balhennie, Queen!’

TWENTY-SEVEN

As Heather walked arm-in-arm with Angus into the castle’s large ballroom, she looked around her and took a sharp, indrawn breath. Suddenly, she felt shaky.

Everything was so beautiful that Heather hardly knew where to look first.