Chapter 10 #3
‘Rude.’ Violet frowned. ‘Listen, though. I was thinking of doing some stuff for socials while I’m here. Maybe what I’m doing for your make-up for the big day, my own make-up and skincare for being a bridesmaid, big up the whole “being back on the island” thing.’
‘Oh. I hadn’t thought you were… Violet, I want my wedding to be… private.’ Heather was trying to be nice, but the thought of Violet publicising her wedding – even if it was just a video of her having her make-up done – was too much, right in that moment.
‘Babe, you won’t know anything about it,’ Violet assured her. She flicked her long hair over her shoulder; even though she’d spent the night on a plane and then driven to the castle from Inverness in the early hours, she still looked as fresh as a daisy.
‘Violet, please…’ Heather wanted to explain just how overwhelmed she was feeling, and that, of all people, she needed her twin sister in her corner.
But before she could say anything more, she felt a hand on her arm and looked around to see one of the Campbell security personnel standing politely next to her.
‘Miss Balhennie? Would you come with me, please?’ he said, in a low voice.
‘Vi, come with me,’ Heather said, in a loaded tone. Violet grabbed another piece of cake and followed her.
Outside the room, the man handed Heather a box. It was the width of a large box of chocolates, but taller, like the sort of container you might pack cupcakes in.
‘Mr Matthew Campbell sends his regards, and hopes that you’ll find the contents pleasing,’ the man said, in an officious monotone. Heather looked curiously at Violet, who shrugged.
‘Nothing to do with me, babes,’ her twin said. ‘Come on. Let’s take it to my room.’
They climbed the stairs to the room that had been assigned to Violet for her stay: a grand room with a four-poster bed made from heavy wood, engraved with thistles and flowers.
The bed linen was a dark pink, and there was a tartan blanket folded over the end of the bed.
The room looked over the gardens, and it had an en-suite.
Some of the bathrooms at the castle still had 1930s-style baths and sinks with the original black and white tiling on the walls and on the floor. Heather had always liked those rooms.
Heather sat down on the four-poster and opened the box. It was baby pink and tied with a white ribbon. There was a card in a white envelope: when she opened it and read the message, Heather felt a warm glow of relief mixed with love fill her chest.
Dear Heather. Thinking of you, my love, and I can’t wait to marry you. These should help you to deal with my mother while I’m away. I’m sorry I’ve been incommunicado – I’ll be home soon.
All my love,
Matty xxxxx
Inside the box was another containing a pair of top-of-the-range headphones, which also had a noise-cancelling feature; Heather lifted them out of the box and showed them to Violet, who laughed.
‘Your husband-to-be knows his mum, I guess,’ she chuckled. ‘Hey. These are really nice.’
Also in the box was a lovely scented candle from a French range that Heather liked; a big bar of her favourite chocolate, a jar of lavender bath salts and a card.
In the card was a code that instructed her to scan it.
When she did, it led her to a playlist of music that Matty had made for her.
He’d called it ‘Coping With The In-Laws Wedding Jams’.
Heather squealed, putting her hand on her heart.
He did love her. She knew that he did, but, for a while there, she’d doubted it. What did that say about her, and the supposed untouchable strength of the love she thought she had for Matty?
Heather felt immediately guilty that she’d ever doubted him.
‘Look.’ She showed Violet the playlist. ‘Isn’t he sweet? Now I feel terrible. I should have trusted him.’
‘Heather, babe.’ Violet glanced at the playlist, and then looked seriously into her sister’s eyes.
‘This is lovely. I’m not saying that it isn’t.
But you should never feel guilty about your instincts, and, yeah.
This is a thoughtful gift. But the fact remains that your husband-to-be has gone AWOL in the days approaching your wedding, at exactly the same moment that his appalling mother arrived.
In my book, that’s still not okay. Regardless of how many cute presents he sends you. ’
Heather looked back at the box, feeling a little deflated. She’d been so happy to get it: to think that Matty was thinking of her and not ignoring her.
But Violet was right. Every time Heather ignored her instincts, things went wrong.
‘Babe,’ her sister said, softly, seeing Heather’s face fall. ‘Don’t be sad. I know he loves you. And this is darling, it really is. All I’m saying is, you should still probably have a chat about it all, when he finally reappears. Okay?’
Violet gathered her twin into a bear hug. ‘Okay?’ she repeated, squeezing Heather until she started to giggle.
‘Okay.’ Heather sighed. ‘This wedding business is sort of tough, you know. I wish we could elope, like that lady in the story about Huntingtower Castle.’
‘Oh, can you imagine?’ Violet chuckled. ‘Elizabeth really would have a fit.’