Chapter 25
Bex tore downstairs, barefoot and her hair half done. But she didn’t care. The last couple of weeks had been so stressful with so many worries coming from so many directions, but in this moment, they were all forgotten.
When she reached the hallway, she swung open the door, only to freeze.
Her parents and Claire were all beaming and laughing with Duncan, but Bex’s eyes were fixed on Daisy. Or rather, on Daisy’s middle.
She was there, wearing a tight summer dress. The blue colour perfectly suited her skin, but it was the shape that caused Bex’s breath to hitch. The way it accentuated the small but perfectly formed bump on her friend’s belly.
‘Oh my God,’ Bex said, throwing her hands up to cover her mouth as tears trickled down her cheeks. ‘You… you’re…’
‘Pregnant? Surprise!’ Daisy rushed towards the door, wrapping her arms around Bex and squeezing her so tightly it was as if she was trying to squeeze every worry out of her body. When she broke away, her eyes glistened.
‘I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA lately. It was silly, I know, but I really wanted to surprise you.
We wanted to surprise you,’ she added with a glance at Claire.
‘I didn’t know if it was going to work. Whether I was going to get the chance or I’d just have to ’fess up.
But then Claire spoke to you, and we’d just seen your folks, and we thought, why the hell not.
Sounded like you could do with some good news. ’
Bex’s eyes went to her parents, to Claire, and then back to Daisy.
‘You knew. All of you knew this.’
‘Well, in our defence, we only found out the other day,’ her mother said.
She looked at Duncan.
‘And you?’ she questioned, laughing even as the tears tumbled down her cheeks.
‘News to me. And I only knew about this little plan of theirs when they texted last night and said they’d all booked flights.’
Bex’s attention flew back to Daisy. ‘Oh God, you flew? Are you okay to fly?’
‘Yes.’ Daisy laughed. ‘I’m twenty weeks. Still not past the sickness, though. I’ll be honest, I can’t believe I kept it from you this long. I think it’s the longest I’ve ever kept anything from you in my life.’
More tear-filled laughter rolled from Bex. ‘Oh my God, I should be so mad at you. I am so mad at you. But this is amazing. Theo must be thrilled to bits.’
‘Of course, yes. He thinks we need to get a bigger boat. We are not getting a bigger boat.’
‘Well, you know we’ve got room for you to stay whenever you want.’
‘Which is good, because we hadn’t booked a room,’ Bex’s dad said as he stepped forward and kissed Bex on the cheek.
‘Is it me or does it seem bigger than the last time I was here?’ her mother commented, staring up at the castle.
‘It’s probably got bigger,’ Bex replied. ‘I swear it grows new rooms just so we’ve got more to endlessly clean.’
The laughter that floated into the air was the best sound Bex had heard in weeks, although it was cut short when Carrie stepped outside.
‘Hate to break up the party, but y’all know you’ve still got to get ready for this shoot, right?’ she said. ‘I think you’re meant to be dressed by now? At least have your hair and make-up done?’
‘Aye, and the dogs need a walk,’ Duncan piped up. ‘And feeding.’
Bex’s stomach dropped by a fraction. This, she remembered, was why she hadn’t invited anyone up the last few months: because she doubted she’d have time to see them.
‘You go get ready,’ Daisy said, placing a hand on her arm. ‘We’ll catch you later. We’re here for five days. That’s loads of time to catch up.’
Was it though? Bex thought. Today was the shoot. Tomorrow everyone would be setting up for the gala, and Sunday was the big day. Then Monday she was back to work. Or her hobby, as Fi preferred to think of it.
‘You’ve come all this way—’
‘We’re fine,’ Bex’s mother cut in. ‘We’ve got plenty we can do. And when, or if, you have time to see us, then we’ll be here.’
‘I’ve brought paints to keep busy,’ Daisy said. ‘And I need to go up and see Lorna, anyway. Apparently she’s got this éclair recipe that I have to try out at the coffee shop. Though I think she’s just hoping I’ll act as a sous-chef for her gala entries.’
‘You’re sure you’re all right?’ Bex said.
‘We’re grand,’ her mum promised.
‘How about we take the dogs for a walk?’ Bex’s dad suggested, looking at his wife and Claire. ‘I’m on a rest day today, so a long walk’ll be good.’
‘See, nothing to fuss about,’ Duncan replied, with a twinkle in his eye. ‘Now, let’s get ready.’
An hour later, the others were all keeping themselves busy while Carrie had finished the make-up and hair, and Bex had to admit she looked fabulous.
‘I just hope it meets the amazing Amanda’s approval,’ Carrie said.
‘Well, if it doesn’t, I don’t care. It’s fabulous. I’d have you do the wedding too, only, you know, I think you want to enjoy the day a bit more than that.’
‘I’ll enjoy the day no matter what, sweetie. You’re joining the family. Not that you’re not already a part of it, but you know what I mean.’
‘I do,’ Bex agreed, a light fluttering filling her chest. ‘I guess I should call Duncan. Tell him to get back here.’
As much as Duncan had promised he wasn’t going to work, there had been a few quick jobs that he wanted to deal with.
And given that nothing was gained by sitting in the house waiting for Amanda to arrive, Bex agreed it was probably best if he did them.
Now, however, they were getting dangerously closer to Amanda and the photographer showing up and finding there was no laird to shoot.
‘Y’all do that, I’m gonna fetch myself a drink,’ Carrie replied, though as she moved to the door a loud rumble, like a tractor or a lorry, growled from outside. Without saying anything, she changed direction and headed over to the window.
‘Bex, how big did y’all say that magazine was?’
Bex checked her reflection again. She’d never manage a style like this one on her own, but she really did love it. ‘Oh, I don’t think it’s that big. Just Amanda and a photographer. Why?’
‘Because it looks like there’s a whole trailer and crew just turned up.’