A Highland Family Affair (Highlands #3)

Epilogue

EIGHT MONTHS LATER – DECEMBER

Brodie sat beside Olivia on the drawing room sofa, massaging her feet as they watched the eighties classic, Pretty in Pink , on TV. Sir Lancelot had taken up his sentry position by her on the floor and Wilf and Marley were snuggled up snoring in front of the fire. Sir Lancelot had taken to guarding Olivia ever since he’d sensed that she was pregnant. She lazily stroked his head where it rested on the seat in front of her, his nose as close to the baby bump as he could get without sitting on her lap.

‘Oh, I forgot to say, Kerr was giddy as anything this morning,’ Olivia said.

‘Oh, aye? How come?’

‘The documentation has come through for Will’s name change. He’s officially Will MacBain now.’

Brodie smiled. ‘That’s awesome. I’m so happy for them. I’m glad Charlotte didn’t protest about that whole thing.’

‘I think Kerr has forgiven her for everything. I saw them at the nursery earlier in the week. She was buying a Christmas tree. She wiped some mud off his cheek and he looked like he was about to kiss her. There are still deep feelings there, I’m sure of it. I have a feeling they may get back together.’

‘Really? Oh, wow. That does surprise me. How do you feel about that?’

Olivia shrugged. ‘I just want him to be happy. And I think, in spite of everything that happened, she does make him happy.’

‘It would be so great for Will to have a proper family too. He’s been through a lot.’

‘I agree. He’s such a sweet boy.’

‘Aye, he’s a good kid.’ They fell silent for a moment as their attention turned back to the film.

‘Maybe I should have my hair done like Duckie,’ Brodie said with a chuckle as he nodded towards the screen at the quirky, quiffed character on screen.

‘Oh, absolutely, go for it. What should I have done?’ Olivia replied with a giggle.

‘I think you’d look amazing with an eighties bubble perm.’ He grinned.

‘Oh no, we’re going to be those embarrassing parents, aren’t we?’ she said with a laugh, stroking her large bump.

‘One hundred per cent. They’re the best kind.’

There was a knock on the drawing room door. ‘Come in,’ Olivia called from her position by the fire.

The door opened and her PA, Esme, walked in, a panicked expression on her face. ‘Lady Olivia, there’s an Eilidh Baird here to see you and there are loads of vehicles turning up too but there’s nothing in the diary.’

Olivia sat upright and removed her feet from Brodie’s lap. She glanced at him and widened her eyes. ‘Dammit, I’d completely forgotten. It’s the start of filming preparation today for the movie. I should have marked it on the calendar when I got Eilidh’s email earlier in the week. Sorry, Esme, I blame baby brain.’

Brodie nudged her. ‘I forgot too; I must be coming out in sympathy with you. Don’t worry, though, I’m sure she’ll understand under the circumstances. At least it’s only planning and not shooting.’

Olivia nodded. ‘That’s true.’ She smoothed down her hair and checked that her top was clean. ‘Okay, Esme, you can show her in.’

A couple of moments later, Eilidh walked in. She wore navy-blue trousers, a long navy smart wool coat and a sage-green blouse beneath. The woman walked confidently over to them and held out her hand as Olivia and Brodie stood.

‘Olivia, Brodie, great to see you again,’ she said with a wide smile and in a soft Scottish accent. There was still the very positive energy about the woman that Olivia remembered from last time they met.

‘And you too. I have to admit that I totally forgot to note down that you were coming today, or I would have been better prepared. I’m so sorry. My head is elsewhere at the moment.’

Eilidh waved a dismissive hand. ‘Oh, don’t you worry, honestly. You don’t need to do anything. You must not have long to go.’ She gestured towards Olivia’s bump.

‘Hopefully not. I’m a week overdue,’ Olivia replied with a huff. ‘Please do sit. Can I get you a tea, coffee?’

Eilidh held up a hand. ‘Oh, no, thank you. I had several at the hotel this morning before I got my cab,’ she said as she removed her coat and placed it over the sofa arm. ‘It’s lovely and warm in here, unlike outside, roll on spring, I say.’ They all sat and Eilidh glanced around her surroundings. ‘This really is a wonderful place. You must be so proud of what you’ve achieved.’

Olivia smiled. ‘We are, although there’s still a fair bit to do with the addition of a distillery now. My uncle has researched everything, so Drumblair gin is currently in the offing.’

Eilidh nodded. ‘Wow, that’s exciting. If you need taste testers, be sure to let me know. I love a good gin.’

‘So, what’s the plan for today?’ Olivia asked, intrigued about what went into planning to shoot a movie.

‘We’ll be storyboarding the scenes we’ll shoot first. The director, cinematographer, lighting crew, and myself as production coordinator on this shoot will walk through the rooms and map things out, checking camera angles and lighting and such. No actors on set yet, though. That will come later. This week is about pre-production, dotting Is and crossing Ts. Feel free to watch what we’re up to if you’re interested, although this isn’t the exciting bit, really. But we want you to still feel at home. There may be some scenes when we start shooting that will require the set to be closed but you’ll be notified of the schedule. And in the meantime, if you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to speak to me. You have my number and I’ll be on set for most of the time.’

There was a knock on the drawing room door and Brodie got up to answer it. He stepped aside to allow Mirren to bring a large tray of refreshments and place it on the coffee table. ‘I’m so sorry to interrupt and I know you didn’t request this, but you know what I’m like. I like to make sure everyone is fed and watered.’ She glanced at Olivia’s bump with a sweet smile.

‘Mirren, this is Eilidh Baird from Braw Narratives Productions in Edinburgh, the company who will be filming the movie. Eilidh, this is Mirren, my stepmum,’ Brodie said. ‘I don’t think you met last time you were here.’

Mirren looked lovingly at him and then at Eilidh. She held out her hand. ‘What he omitted to say is that I’m the housekeeper here at Drumblair and I’ve been here many years. I love watching historical dramas so I’m excited to see what happens.’

Eilidh shook her hand. ‘Oh, well, if you fancy being an extra we’d be happy to find you a costume.’

Mirren patted at her grey hair. ‘Och, me on the telly? I’d break the camera.’

Brodie put his arm around her shoulder. ‘Away with you, Ma. You’re a beautiful person inside and out,’ he said with a kiss to her cheek.

‘Oh, Brodie,’ she said, blushing and whacking his arm playfully. ‘Well, I’d best be off. I’ve to make Cullen skink for your dad. It was nice to meet you, Eilidh,’ Mirren said before leaving the room, a bright smile on her face.

‘So, the housekeeper is married to your dad, Brodie? How did that come about?’

‘My dad’s been the groundskeeper here since I was wee. That’s how Liv and I met,’ Brodie said as he sat by his wife once again. ‘We were childhood best friends for a long while.’

‘How romantic! The more I hear about this place, the more I think we were meant to film here. It has the perfect ambience and such a rich history.’

Brodie leaned forward. ‘That’s great and all but… I just want to check, I know you said we should still feel like we’re at home, but I’m a little concerned about the intrusion at a very busy time of our lives.’ Concern furrowed his brow as he placed a protective hand on Olivia’s belly.

Eilidh nodded. ‘I really do understand. But I promise it will all be handled as sensitively as possible. Filming on location is something we’ve done for a very long time, and we’ve had no issues up to now, I can assure you.’

Olivia was still unsure about the thought of having even more strangers in her home. She wasn’t aware she was pregnant when she had agreed to all of this and she couldn’t help the worry that niggled at the back of her mind.

Eilidh tilted her head as if reading her thoughts. ‘Olivia, we’re very much aware that there will be a new life in the castle very soon, and you can rest assured the crew will show the utmost respect to your circumstances. It’s not going to be overly noisy or intrusive, I promise you that. And I have to say that the actors are delighted that they will be staying in the apartments on site. There’ll be added security around, of course, especially since Miss Locke has had issues with a stalker in the past so we need to ensure her protection and yours too. But it will all be as discreet as possible. I hope I’ve reassured you. The last thing we want is to cause you stress. I sincerely hope you’re not regretting your decision to sign the contract.’ A crease of worry formed between her eyebrows.

Olivia smiled. ‘No, absolutely not. To be completely honest, the injection of funds is going towards the renovation of the largest barn in the grounds where I will have my new studio.’

Eilidh’s eyes brightened. ‘That’s amazing. When will that be completed?’

‘They should be fully functional by the spring,’ Brodie said.

‘Fantastic. I would love to get a sneak peek at some of your designs if you have the time, Olivia.’

‘Of course. I’m sure we can arrange that. I’ve been working on a maternity line recently, for obvious reasons.’ She laughed.

They chatted easily as they enjoyed the refreshments brought in by Mirren and once they were finished, Eilidh said, ‘Why don’t you come along and meet the crew? They’re around in the café sampling the cakes.’

Olivia smiled. ‘Oh, yes, that’d be lovely.’

Eilidh beamed. ‘Wonderful, they’ll be delighted to meet you and to thank you in person. I know they’re all excited to be working here.’

Brodie stood and held his hand out to Olivia. She took it and stood too. Once on her feet, she gasped and stared at the floor.

Brodie paled. ‘What is it, Liv? Are you okay?’

Olivia lifted her head, smiling widely as her heart danced merrily. ‘I’m great, but… My waters just broke.’