Text copyright © 2025 by De-ann Black

Cover Design & Illustration © 2025 by De-ann Black

Fabric Designs on Cover © 2025 by De-ann Black

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written consent of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published 2025

Crafting Bee

Cover design fabrics from:

De-ann Black’s fabric design collection on Spoonflower.

Cover embroidery from:

De-ann’s embroidery pattern books on Amazon.

Floral Garden Embroidery Patterns

Christmas & Winter Embroidery Patterns

Floral Spring Embroidery Patterns

Crafting Bee is the eighth book in the Scottish Loch Romance series.

Scottish Loch Romance series:

1. Sewing & Mending Cottage

2. Scottish Loch Summer Romance

3. Sweet Music

4. Knitting Bee

5. Autumn Romance

6. Christmas Ballroom Dancing

7. Scottish Highlands New Year Ball

8. Crafting Bee

Other books by De-ann Black (Romance, Action/Thrillers & Children’s books). See her Amazon Author page or website for further details about her books, screenplays, illustrations, art, fabric designs and embroidery patterns. www.De-annBlack.com

Romance books:

Music, Dance & Romance series:

1. The Sweetest Waltz

2. Knitting & Starlight

3. Ballroom Dancing Christmas Romance

Scottish Loch Romance series:

1. Sewing & Mending Cottage

2. Scottish Loch Summer Romance

3. Sweet Music

4. Knitting Bee

5. Autumn Romance

6. Christmas Ballroom Dancing

7. Scottish Highlands New Year Ball

8. Crafting Bee

Snow Bells Haven series:

1. Snow Bells Christmas

2. Snow Bells Wedding

3. Love & Lyrics

Scottish Highlands & Island Romance series:

1. Scottish Island Knitting Bee

2. Scottish Island Fairytale Castle

3. Vintage Dress Shop on the Island

4. Fairytale Christmas on the Island

The Cure for Love Romance series:

1. The Cure for Love

2. The Cure for Love at Christmas

Quilting Bee & Tea Shop series:

1. The Quilting Bee

2. The Tea Shop by the Sea

3. Embroidery Cottage

4. Knitting Shop by the Sea

5. Christmas Weddings

Sewing, Crafts & Quilting series:

1. The Sewing Bee

2. The Sewing Shop

3. Knitting Cottage (Scottish Highland romance)

4. Scottish Highlands Christmas Wedding (Embroidery, Knitting, Dressmaking & Textile Art)

Cottages, Cakes & Crafts series:

1. The Flower Hunter’s Cottage

2. The Sewing Bee by the Sea

3. The Beemaster’s Cottage

4. The Chocolatier’s Cottage

5. The Bookshop by the Seaside

6. The Dressmaker’s Cottage

Scottish Chateau, Colouring & Crafts series:

1. Christmas Cake Chateau

2. Colouring Book Cottage

Heather Park: Regency Romance

Summer Sewing Bee

Sewing, Knitting & Baking series:

1. The Tea Shop

2. The Sewing Bee & Afternoon Tea

3. The Christmas Knitting Bee

4. Champagne Chic Lemonade Money

5. The Vintage Sewing & Knitting Bee

The Tea Shop & Tearoom series:

1. The Christmas Tea Shop & Bakery

2. The Christmas Chocolatier

3. The Chocolate Cake Shop in New York at Christmas

4. The Bakery by the Seaside

5. Shed in the City

Tea Dress Shop series:

1. The Tea Dress Shop At Christmas

2. The Fairytale Tea Dress Shop In Edinburgh

3. The Vintage Tea Dress Shop In Summer

Christmas Romance series:

1. Christmas Romance in Paris

2. Christmas Romance in Scotland

Oops! I’m the Paparazzi series:

1. Oops! I’m the Paparazzi

2. Oops! I’m Up To Mischief

3. Oops! I’m the Paparazzi, Again

The Bitch-Proof Suit series:

1. The Bitch-Proof Suit

2. The Bitch-Proof Romance

3. The Bitch-Proof Bride

4. The Bitch-Proof Wedding

Dublin Girl

Why Are All The Good Guys Total Monsters?

I’m Holding Out For A Vampire Boyfriend

Action/Thriller books:

Knight in Miami

Agency Agenda

Love Him Forever

Someone Worse

Electric Shadows

The Strife Of Riley

Shadows Of Murder

Cast a Dark Shadow

Children’s books:

Faeriefied

Secondhand Spooks

Poison-Wynd

Wormhole Wynd

Science Fashion

School For Aliens

Colouring books:

Summer Nature

Flower Nature

Summer Garden

Spring Garden

Autumn Garden

Sea Dream

Festive Christmas

Christmas Garden

Christmas Theme

Flower Bee

Wild Garden

Faerie Garden Spring

Flower Hunter

Stargazer Space

Bee Garden

Scottish Garden Seasons

Embroidery Design books:

Sea Theme Embroidery Patterns

Floral Garden Embroidery Patterns

Christmas & Winter Embroidery Patterns

Floral Spring Embroidery Patterns

Floral Nature Embroidery Designs

Scottish Garden Embroidery Designs

CHAPTER ONE

Gaven, the laird, owner of the castle in the Scottish Highlands, ran down the spiral staircase from his turret to the stylish reception.

The magnificent castle was set within a forest estate, near a beautiful loch and the local village’s main street with its pretty shops.

Snow had created a fairytale effect in the heart of winter, but now the bright mornings of the new year had melted the last of the snow to reveal the snowdrops against the vivid greenery.

The first spring flowers of the year — lilac, white and yellow crocus, had forced their way through the icy cold and were accompanied by hardy winter pansies, daffodils, primroses and Scottish bluebells.

Patches of purple, white and pink heather carpeted parts of the landscape, including the beemasters’ fields near the loch.

In the distance, the sea at the nearby cove looked like varying shades of turquoise watercolour, crested with white waves washing on to the coast.

The whole area was waking up to a fresh and exciting new year. And Gaven had plans that he wanted to discuss with the ladies of the local crafting bee later on when they arrived for their weekly craft evening in the castle’s function room. But first, he had other aspects of his plan to attend to.

Gaven clasped the notes he’d made for the refurbishment of the large storeroom near the kitchen at the back of the castle. He was tall and fit, in his early thirties, with stylishly–cut auburn hair, and was well–dressed in a tailored suit.

Jessy was working at the reception desk. A key member of staff, Jessy was in her fifties, neatly dressed with her hair pinned up in a tidy chignon, and was one of Gaven’s main assistants, helping to run the castle’s hotel facilities. A keen crafter, Jessy was a member of the crafting bee, but Gaven had requested that she keep his current plan a secret until he was sure it would work.

‘Jessy, where’s Walter?’ said Gaven.

‘He’s through helping Campbell in the storeroom.’

Walter was another key member of staff, a mature man with a cheerful nature, assisting at reception and the castle’s handyman.

Gaven nodded and hurried on through to the large kitchen where chef and his staff were preparing the lunches for the guests. The delicious aroma of Scotch broth and other savoury dishes reminded Gaven that he’d skipped breakfast.

Hurrying through the kitchen, taking a short–cut to the storeroom, Gaven called over to chef. ‘Would you add cake to the tea and scones for the ladies crafting bee tonight.’

‘Will do, Gaven. I’ve made chocolate cake and lemon drizzle.’

Gaven smiled and continued on to the back door of the kitchen.

Chef called after him. ‘You never had your breakfast this morning!’

Raising his hand in acknowledgement, Gaven headed outside.

The castle’s rear garden with its lawns and flower beds stretched over to the edge of the forest where a carpet of Scottish bluebells amid the trees looked like blue mist. The air was filled with the scent of the greenery and fragrant flowers.

Spring had announced itself early, and there was a strong sense of renewal in the morning sunlight as he walked along to the back entrance of the storeroom. The glass doors were open and he went inside.

Campbell and Walter were busy clearing up the last of the alterations. Dust sheets were rolled up and the boarding had been taken down that had separated part of the store. Now it was back to its original large rectangular design.

‘There you go, Gaven,’ Campbell announced, putting his tools in his bag. ‘I took the boarding down, and once the stoor has been swept up, all you’ll need is a lick of paint on that wall to freshen up the decor.’

Similar in age and height to Gaven, Campbell had joined his father, Sean, to work as a beemaster, but his career path had included architectural work, and he sometimes became involved in local building work, particularly for the laird. This included redesigning the additional new self–catering, luxury cabins that were part of the castle’s creative break accommodation.

Gaven stood in the middle of the room, looking around. ‘Great work, Campbell.’ He nodded acknowledgement to Walter for assisting.

‘I’ve got a tin of white paint that I could use for the wall,’ Walter offered.

‘Do that, Walter,’ Gaven confirmed.

The main walls of the storeroom were painted white, and new lights had been installed to create a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The polished wood flooring would be fine once the dust had been cleaned up from the minor alterations. The main clearance had been getting rid of items that were of no use. Other smaller storerooms were utilised to better capacity.

Campbell ran his hands through his blond hair. A wave of burnished gold swept up from his brow, emphasising his handsome face and green eyes flecked with gold. Sophisticated in appearance, even when tackling building work, Campbell had a hardiness to him and enjoyed an outdoors lifestyle.

Since he’d moved to the village in the autumn, Campbell had been dating Beitris, known as Bee, an expert knitter and a member of the crafting bee. He’d been renovating a cottage in a corner of one of the beekeeping fields, making it a home for himself. And hopefully, for Bee, when he plucked up the courage to propose. In the meantime, he was living at Sean’s farmhouse property.

Joining Sean in their beekeeping and honey business in the autumn, Campbell was eager to start working on the hives now that winter had given way to the spring. The fortunate location of the village, set in the Scottish Highlands, with an extensive patchwork of fields, provided a sheltered niche, guarded by rolling hills and the castle’s forest. Snow was guaranteed during the winter, but the springs were invariably mild with bright sunny days leading to warm summers where people enjoyed venturing to the coast for a swim in the turquoise sea with its white sand stretching along the beautiful bay.

The three of them discussed the next part of the plan.

Gaven referenced his notes. ‘I’m going to kit the room out with tables and chairs, but before I order those, I want to discuss this with the ladies at tonight’s crafting bee.’

Campbell nodded. ‘They’ll know what types of tables are ideal for sewing and crafting.’

‘Jessy hasn’t said a peep to any of the ladies,’ Walter assured Gaven. ‘She’s waiting for you to talk to them.’

‘I’ll buy sewing machines that they can use,’ said Gaven. He’d already bought three sewing machines that were kept at the castle and set up in the function room for the weekly bee nights, but he wanted the new machines to be specifically used for the castle’s crafting workshops.

Campbell glanced up at the lights. ‘The room is bright enough, but Bee likes to have lamps when she’s working on her knitting. Maybe the ladies will need those.’

‘I’ll mention this to them,’ Gaven said, grateful for the advice.

‘The walls are bit bare,’ Walter remarked. ‘I could bring paintings from other parts of the castle and hang them up.’

‘I was thinking of buying a couple of Oliver’s large, floral watercolour paintings,’ said Gaven, clearly having given this some thought. ‘And I’ve seen textile art on Robin’s website that could be framed and hung up too.’

Oliver owned the art shop in the main street, and apart from selling his paintings, he’d secured a publishing deal for illustrated story books. He was engaged to Robin, a textile artist. They were both in their early thirties. She’d moved from the city to the village in the summer and lived in one of the cottages dotted around the hillside at the loch. Robin worked from home selling her textile art. Many of her new designs were based on the local scenery.

The plans agreed, Walter went outside to his shed to get the tin of paint, Gaven headed through to his office behind the reception desk to order the artwork, and Campbell drove away from the castle, down the forest road that led to the loch and the beekeeping fields on the wilder side of it.

Trees arched over part of the forest road and sunlight flickered through, promising a bright day. It was a short drive down from the castle to the loch. The surface was calm and the sun glinted off the deep water that was edged with grass and a sprinkling of flowers.

Campbell and Sean’s fields were accessed via a narrow road from one side of the loch, and as Campbell drove along it, he decided to drop by Bee’s cottage. Since the autumn, she’d been looking after the cottage for her aunt and uncle while they were away on business, and they’d recently extended their trips, enabling Bee to continue working from there on her knitting. Originally from the Shetland and Orkney islands in the Scottish Highlands, Bee had led a well–travelled but unsettled life. Now the village felt like home. She’d no plans to leave, especially as she’d met and fallen in love with Campbell.

Building up her knitting business, selling her knitted garments and hand–spun and dyed yarn from her website, Bee’s small venture had thrived since she’d moved to the village.

Campbell drove up and parked at the edge of her cottage garden. The cottage was a white painted traditional design.

The garden had emerged from the winter in fine style. He’d helped Bee tame it during the autumn. It was a well–established garden, but Bee admitted she didn’t have green fingers. Her skill was in knitting, particularly fast. And so he’d trimmed the excess greenery and prepped it for the winter. Now, the grass glistened with morning dew, and clusters of crocus, primroses and daffodils added dashes of bright colour.

Campbell knocked on the front door and stepped inside, knowing he was always welcome to do this.

Bee’s knitting room was at the rear of the cottage and overlooked the back garden and the fields and countryside beyond.

Walking along the hallway, he heard the rhythmic sound of her spinning wheel and headed through to the knitting room.

She was sitting near the window spinning lovely pale yellow yarn for her latest collection of new colours for the spring, and looked pleased to see Campbell when he walked in.

Morning sunlight poured in the window, highlighting her shoulder–length amber blonde hair. Bee was thirty, attractive, with blue eyes and a petite build. She wore a long vintage denim skirt, teamed with a lilac jumper she’d knitted. The jumper was part of the new colour range, and she’d demonstrated knitting it for one of her videos that she put up on her website. Customers enjoyed her videos. And there had been increased demand for her new spring range of items and yarn.

‘I was about to stop and put the kettle on for a cup of tea,’ she said. ‘Would you like a cup, or are you in a hurry?’

He leaned down and kissed her lovingly. ‘No hurry. I’ll put the kettle on.’ He went through to the kitchen.

Bee continued her spinning, and judging by the sound of her spinning wheel, she was working faster to finish filling the bobbin with the fine yarn. The lace weight shawls she knitted with their intricate patterns were some of her popular designs, along with the jumpers, cardigans, knitted waistcoats, hats, scarves, gloves and other accessories she knitted. They were all her own designs, and she was kept busy with orders from customers locally and online.

The shelves in her knitting room were filled with all sorts of yarn, ranging from double knit and Aran to the lace weight textures. Skeins, hanks, cakes and balls of yarn were stacked tidily on the shelves or in storage boxes.

Knitting needles in every size and shape were kept within easy reach of the comfy chair by the window. The natural daylight was ideal for her knitting, and she used two lamps to light her work area during the evenings. It was a comfy and cosy niche.

A sturdy wooden table was tucked into the far corner and she used it for drawing her designs, measuring patterns, and packing customer orders ready for posting down at the main street.

Bee was one of the most skilled knitters in the village, though other members of the crafting bee were proficient and made their living too from selling their knitted items. But she was the only one selling her own hand–spun yarn. And she was the fastest knitter. Knitting at speed was second nature to her as she’d been knitting since she was a young girl.

The kitchen was old–fashioned, square and spacious, with a few modern elements.

A pot of homemade lentil and vegetable soup simmered on the stove. Since she’d moved to the cottage, Bee had used the recipe books on the shelves to try to improve her cooking skills. The soup was easy to make and she often rustled up a pot of it for lunch as it was a tasty and handy standby when she was busy working on her knitting. She’d baked scones and Victoria sponge cakes a few times, and used the jars of her aunt’s homemade raspberry, strawberry and bramble jam that were in one of the cupboards. A jam pan hung on the wall, but Bee hadn’t yet attempted jam–making or baking her own bread. But these were things she planned to try, especially as the kitchen was kitted–out with pots, pans, ceramic and glass bowls, and other accoutrements for cooking from scratch.

Campbell lifted the pot lid a fraction. ‘This soup smells tasty.’

‘Stay for lunch if you want,’ Bee called through to him.

He put the kettle on to boil and set up the cups for tea. ‘Thanks, I will.’

Campbell wandered back through to the knitting room while the kettle boiled. He admired the colours of the yarn she was spinning and the selection of skeins on the table beside her. ‘I love those colours. They remind me of the crocus, primroses and daffodils in the garden.’

‘Lilac, yellow, white and fresh greens are part of my new spring collection.’ She teased the final strands of yarn to a fine finish and stopped the spinning wheel. ‘I’m going to knit a jumper with this gorgeous yellow yarn.’

‘It’ll suit you, as does that lilac colour you’re wearing.’

Campbell wore a honeycomb knit jumper she’d made for him in a deep amber shade that was a nod to his beemaster work and it suited his burnished blond hair.

She smiled at him and tidied up the yarn she’d spun, wrapping the end pieces securely and tucked them into a storage box for further preparation.

He lifted up one of the skeins of rich, dark purple yarn. ‘This colour reminds me of heather and thistles.’

Bee gestured to a rail where items she’d knitted or was working on were hung up. ‘I’ve knitted a man’s jumper using that yarn. Would you like to put it on and model it for me?’ She’d planned to take photos of her recent garments and add them to her website.

The kettle clicked off. ‘I’ll make the tea and then I’ll put it on,’ he agreed.

Bee got her phone ready to take the pictures and looked around the knitting room, wondering where Campbell should stand to show the jumper to full advantage. Then she glanced out the window at the back garden. ‘An outdoor shot would look nice in this light.’

Campbell poured two mugs of tea, left them on the kitchen table and went through to put the jumper on.

Even though she was accustomed to Campbell’s fit build, her heart pounded seeing him strip off the honeycomb jumper, revealing that he wore nothing else underneath. The recent Christmas festivities hadn’t made a dent in his leanly muscled body and his six–pack was in full view in the sunlight pouring in.

Unaware of the effect he was having on her, Campbell unhooked the purple jumper and put it on. It was a generous medium size and fitted him well.

Brushing his hair back from his face and hoping he looked tidy enough in his jeans and boots, Campbell stood there for Bee’s approval. ‘What do you think?’

‘Model material,’ she said with such assurance that his handsome face broke into a wide smile.

Campbell pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms and gazed down at her. ‘But does the jumper pass the snuggle test? Marks out of ten.’

Bee played along and cuddled into him. ‘Eleven. And ten for the jumper.’

He kissed her and then released her from his loving embrace. ‘Okay, let’s take the photos before our tea gets cold,’ he said, striding through to the kitchen and outside into the back garden.

It was similar to the front garden with a lawn and spring flowers amid the greenery. A garden shed was in the background. It hadn’t been opened since Campbell locked it in the late autumn. The sturdy structure had weathered the winter well.

‘Can you stand over there, away from the shed, near the crocus and primroses, so I can capture the fields in the background to show the beautiful countryside.’

Campbell stood where she suggested and although he’d been a makeshift model for several of her website photos to promote her knitwear, he still needed prompted to smile.

‘Give me a cheery smile,’ she said.

Campbell’s smile was more on the sexy side, even though he didn’t know this.

Bee took several pictures of him and then scrolled through them to see that she had what she needed. ‘These look great.’

He came over and stood beside her. She barely came up to his broad shoulders. Wrapping his arms around her, he viewed the pictures.

Both of them were happy with the pictures, and she leaned back against his chest, savouring being outside in the garden with him before they went inside for their tea.

Bee stirred the soup before sitting down at the kitchen table. ‘The soup should be ready soon.’

Campbell opened the biscuit tin and helped himself to a piece of shortbread.

‘You’ll ruin your appetite for lunch,’ she scolded him with a smile.

He took a bite of the shortbread and sat down opposite her. With a mouthful of the shortbread he shook his head.

‘And I’m sorry, but you’ll have to take the new jumper off,’ she reminded him. ‘I’ve listed it for sale on the website.’

‘Sold!’ Campbell announced.

Bee sighed and sipped her tea. ‘You can’t keep buying the new jumpers I knit.’

Campbell pretended to frown. ‘Why not? I like this one. I’ve never owned a purple jumper before. I rather like the colour. And you said it suited me.’

‘It does, but—’

Campbell pulled his phone out, accessed her website, clicked the button to purchase the jumper and then put his phone away, smirking.

Bee smiled across at him. ‘You’re a scallywag. I’m going to have to knit a replacement for that one.’

‘At the speed you knit, you’ll have it finished this evening,’ he joked with her.

She swiped at him playfully, and they continued to drink their tea while he ate his shortbread.

‘What have you been up to this morning?’ she said. ‘Working on the beehives?’

He washed the shortbread down with a gulp of tea. ‘No, I was doing a wee job for Gaven at the castle.’ He didn’t elaborate, and she was so used to him doing building work for the laird that she didn’t pry.

‘Are you going to the crafting bee tonight?’ he said.

‘Yes, and Etta phoned to say she wants some of my new lilac yarn to knit scarf and hat sets for her customers. I told her I’d bring it along to the bee.’

Etta was one of the key members of the crafting bee and worked from home, selling her knitting from her cottage on the other side of the loch. The less wild side. In her fifties with silvery blonde hair, Etta had struck up a friendship that had romantic potential with Mullcairn, a mature and successful radio presenter from Edinburgh.

Romance had flourished in the village during the past few seasons, with several local couples finding love. Two couples recently became engaged and one couple, Penny and Neil, got married just before Christmas.

Penny ran her sewing and mending business from her cottage near the loch, and sold the items she made or repaired, including vintage designs, particularly vintage tea dresses, evening gowns and wedding dresses. She’d worked as a designer and pattern cutter for a fashion company for several years. Leaving her life in Glasgow behind the previous January, she’d set up home in the cosy cottage and met Neil, the local goldsmith.

Now another wedding was due soon between Robin and Oliver. Bee and Campbell had been invited to the wedding and were looking forward to attending the ceremony beside the loch and the buffet dinner and dancing later at the castle.

Campbell hoped to add a celebration of his own when he proposed to Bee. He knew he could just pop the question, but he wanted it to be romantic, memorable, though he hadn’t yet settled on how to create something that Bee would love. And hopefully, she’d accept his proposal. They hadn’t spoken about making their relationship official, but it was clear it was headed that way. Maybe now that spring was in the air, he’d find the perfect proposal plan.

The recently engaged couples had bought their engagement rings from Neil. His rings were exquisite, and Campbell had already approached the goldsmith to order a ring to be designed for Bee.

‘Are you okay?’ Bee’s voice broke into his faraway thoughts.

‘Yes, just thinking about things I need to do, to plan,’ he said.

‘Getting the hives ready for the spring?’ she surmised.

Campbell nodded. This was true. He’d been helping his father, Sean, attend to the bees that had overwintered in the hives in their fields. But planning a special way to propose to her was going to make him a really busy bee.

CHAPTER TWO

‘Quilting, knitting, embroidery, dressmaking, sewing and mending, crochet, textile art, needle felting and rag doll making.’ Gaven read the list of crafts from his notes that he wanted to include in the castle’s new craft workshops. ‘Have I missed any other crafts you think guests would enjoy learning?’ he said to Jessy. ‘I checked the types of stalls that were at our autumn craft fair.’

Jessy stood at the door of his office. ‘Tapestry, cross stitching, lace making, papercraft, and appliqué.’

Gaven noted these. ‘Great suggestions. The autumn craft fair was a huge success, and most of the participants stay locally and are members of the crafting bee.’

Jessy nodded. ‘We’ve got lots of skilled and experienced crafters in the village. And remember, a few of us are adept at more than one craft. Etta is a wonderful knitter, but she’s an excellent quilter. Bee is one of the most skilled knitters we’ve ever had, but she’s into dressmaking and designs her own wrap skirts.’

‘And you’re a multi–skilled crafter too,’ Gaven added.

Jessy fiddled with the buttons on her hand–knitted cardigan and tried not to blush. ‘I enjoy knitting, quilting and embroidery. I’d be happy to help with the workshops.’

Gaven wrote Jessy’s name down as the first crafter to participate in the venture.

‘I’ve bought two floral watercolour paintings from Oliver,’ Gaven told Jessy. ‘And two pieces of Robin’s textile art. They’ll brighten up the storeroom walls and give an artistic and crafty feeling.’

‘You should consider buying one of Aileen’s lovely quilts,’ Jessy suggested. ‘Quilts look beautiful displayed on the wall. You can see the fabric and intricate design of the quilt.’

Aileen owned the quilt shop in the main street. She was an expert quilter and sold a range of quilting weight cotton and other fabrics, along with her own handmade quilts. The crafting bee members often bought their fabric from Aileen’s shop.

‘I’ll do that,’ Gaven agreed, and began to look at the quilts listed on Aileen’s website. ‘They’re all lovely. What one would you suggest?’

Jessy viewed them. ‘The colours in that patchwork quilt are gorgeous. Patchwork is surely one of the quilting methods that will be shown in the workshops. This would be a beautiful example of how to mix and match the fabrics. Buy one of the wall hanging kits too.’

Gaven pressed the buy button and added a note to the order. Please bring this quilt and the wall hanging kit with you to the crafting bee tonight, Aileen. Thanks, Gaven.

‘That’s the wall painted,’ Walter called through to them. ‘It was a fast job using my spongy roller. I’ll let it dry, and then get everything tidied.’

‘Thank you, Walter,’ said Gaven.

‘I was thinking,’ Walter added. ‘We have those dining tables and chairs in storage. The original wooden ones from years ago. They could be handy for the crafting tables and add a bit of old–fashioned class.’

Gaven brightened. ‘That’s right. I hadn’t considered those. Where are they?’

‘Tucked in the back of the bits and bobs storeroom. Come on, I’ll show you.’ Walter led the way and Gaven followed after him.

Jessy went back to attend to the reception desk, but her mind was whirring with ideas of what crafts could be taught at the castle. She was sure Etta, Bee, Penny, Robin and Aileen would be willing to teach their skills at the workshops.

Aileen saw the order pop up on her computer in the quilt shop. Initially, she assumed that Gaven wanted the bed–size quilt for one of the self–catering cabins, and then she saw the note to include the wall hanging kit.

The quilt was tucked neatly on one of the shelves and she lifted it down, studying the patchwork design that included various floral print fabric. There were roses, pansies, thistles and bluebells teamed with other pretty prints. It included pastel tone solids, and there was a spring and summer quality to the design. The backing was a single print, a ditsy flower design. The binding was a rose print. Overall, it was a beautiful quilt, and she’d loved making it. But she wondered what Gaven planned to do with it.

The shop window had new quilts on display, and Aileen had selected bright spring colours. She’d added bargain bundles of pre–cut fabric for quilting, and these bundles were popular with customers wanting to use the fabric for appliqué, rag doll making and other crafts as well as quilting.

Through the window she saw Fyn striding over from his flower shop carrying a bunch of daffodils. He smiled when he saw her looking out and stepped up his pace.

Aileen had started dating Fyn fairly recently. Their romance was new even though they’d known each other for quite a while before he’d invited her to have dinner with him.

She was attractive, in her early thirties and wore her dark brown hair swept up at the sides with clasps. Fyn was in his early thirties too, tall and lean with thick blond hair and light blue eyes. He often came over to see her during the day, especially as their shops were only across the road from each other, and their romance was flourishing.

Fyn stepped inside, as always, making the quilt shop seem smaller. ‘These are the first daffodils of the new year. I thought you’d like them.’ He handed them to her.

‘They’re lovely, thank you. I’ll put them in water.’ Aileen went through to the small kitchen at the back of the shop where she kept the vases she needed for the flowers he regularly brought her. She lived above the shop, but had a kitchen area downstairs too. ‘Gaven has ordered a patchwork quilt from me,’ she called through to him.

Fyn saw the quilt on the shop counter. ‘Is this it?’

Aileen came back through with the vase of daffodils. ‘Yes, I was wondering what he wants it for.’ She put the flowers in the window display.

‘For one of the guest bedrooms,’ Fyn suggested.

‘I think he wants it as a wall hanging.’ She told him about the kit he’d ordered. ‘I’m taking it up to the castle tonight when I go to the crafting bee.’ She began to refold the quilt.

Fyn grabbed an end and together they made a neat job of it, meeting in the middle as they folded it. Fyn stole a kiss, causing her to giggle.

A customer came in, interrupting them.

Fyn smiled. ‘I’ll see you later, Aileen.’

‘Thanks again for the daffodils.’

Fyn nodded and then walked back over to his flower shop, waving across to Oliver in the front window of his art shop.

Oliver waved back cheerfully as he lifted a painting out of the window display. He had dark brown hair and green eyes, and wore classic casuals in muted tones. His paintings ranged from watercolours to oils and acrylics. Flowers and local landscapes were the core of his work. He lived above the shop, and like many of the shops in the main street, the premises had been converted to include accommodation.

Gaven had purchased the large floral watercolour on display in the window. Oliver remembered the day he’d sketched it and taken photos of the flowers so that he could finish it at a later date. It was a summery day and he’d been walking through the gardens at the castle’s estate looking for picturesque settings for his paintings. The flowers and greenery captured the feeling of the summer, and he’d painted a few variations of the scene. This one was his latest, and he’d emphasised the gorgeous blues of the cornflowers and forget–me–nots, pink roses and yellow sunflowers.

Oliver’s floral artwork was based on real flowers, but he painted his own artistic version. The flowers were usually large, showing the details of the petals and bold splashes of colours. The soft watercolour effect of the greenery in this particular painting looked lovely with the flowers. A hint of the castle itself was in the background.

He put the painting down on the counter and replaced it with another floral design in the front window.

The second painting Gaven wanted hung on the art shop wall, and Oliver lifted it down, gazing at it, wondering where the laird intended hanging his work. Gaven had previously bought Oliver’s paintings for the castle’s new piano bar, but those were more of an illustrative style to suit the Art Deco theme of the bar with its baby grand piano.

Oliver was about to polish the glass and frames before wrapping the paintings for delivery, but a customer walked in, so he stopped what he was doing to serve them.

Robin checked the edges of the two pieces of textile art that Gaven had bought from her. His purchase was totally unexpected, but she’d listed them on her website and was delighted when she saw that the laird had snapped them up.

The only issue involved the frames. It was a short notice order. He’d requested a quick delivery. But as the two pieces of textile art were quite large, she didn’t have frames big enough in her current stock to fit them. Usually, she’d order the frames, adding a few days for the delivery time. She’d sold a lot of her work over Christmas, as gifts, and had yet to replenish her stock.

Apart from being a textile artist, Robin was a knitwear model with long, strawberry blonde hair, porcelain skin and blue eyes. The jeans she was wearing with a cosy pink jumper suited her slender figure. Her modelling earnings had helped to support her while she established herself as a textile artist, and enabled her to set up home in the pretty cottage by the loch the previous year. It was near Etta’s cottage, and had a front and back garden that bloomed with flowers during the warmer months. The jasmine, wisteria, roses and night–scented stock were part of one of the designs Gaven had bought. She’d included the loch in the design, emphasising the greenery and wildflowers that edged it.

The second design was drawn up at the castle’s estate.

Running her fingers lightly over the surface of the textile art, she remembered adding layers of different fabric, from watercolour painted cotton to sheer chiffon in wispy blue and pastel tones to create the atmosphere of the flowers at the castle. Gaven was happy for her to wander around the estate and depict the scenery in her designs. As the laird, Gaven took his responsibilities seriously, and did his utmost to support the local community. Like Oliver, Robin was welcome to use the castle and its gardens for her art.

She’d painted strips of lace with watercolour and overlaid them on the cotton fabric that was the base of her designs. Her work was a mix of realistic and abstract, and she loved the feeling of the textures within each piece. As an artist, she’d been drawn to the effects she could create with the fabrics, and she found it both relaxing and joyful.

Robin’s studio was set up in the cottage. From her original sketches, she created the artwork using mainly watercolour paint on white cotton fabric, adding layers of other fabrics for texture and hand stitching them with embroidery thread and crewel wool. Raw edge appliqué was often part of her work.

Her art materials and desk were along one wall in the living room. A work table was set up with a sewing machine, and machine stitching was often included in the designs. A chest of drawers was brimming with her fabric stash, and a vintage dresser had shelves filled with paints and brushes, jars of beads and a wonderful selection of embroidery thread, crewel wool and ribbons.

The room was fairly large, with beige walls, and a wide window at the back that let in plenty of natural light and offered a view of the garden. It had a real log fire and she enjoyed many an evening snuggled up at the fireside with Oliver.

Lately, they’d been organising everything for their forthcoming wedding. Oliver had proposed to her in the autumn, down by the loch, so they’d chosen to have a small ceremony there, exchanging their vows before heading up to the castle for the wedding buffet dinner and dance.

They planned to make the cottage their home, but Oliver would continue to work from his shop.

Giving the two pieces of textile art a final check, Robin carefully rolled them up, put her jacket and boots on, and walked down to Oliver’s shop. In the past, he’d helped her frame a few pieces of her work, having all the equipment to hand that he used for his own artwork framing.

The brisk air blew through her hair as she walked along the edge of the loch to the main street. It was only a two minute stroll, and she savoured the freshness and the scent of the greenery and flowers emerging from their winter slumber.

Oliver was wrapping the paintings when Robin walked in.

‘Gaven has bought these two watercolours,’ Oliver told her.

‘He’s bought two of my textile art designs.’ Robin unrolled them at the side of the counter.

Oliver frowned. ‘Gaven must be planning to redecorate or give the castle a new look for the spring.’

‘I suppose so,’ Robin said, sounding unconvinced. ‘I don’t have frames for them. I wondered if you could help me. Gaven wants them quickly. I’d like to take them with me to the crafting bee tonight.’

‘Yes, I’ve several spare frames that would do.’ He went through the back to get them.

Robin admired the watercolour paintings. ‘These are beautiful. I notice that one includes the castle.’

Oliver came back through with the classic light beige frames and matching mounting boards for around the edges of her textile art. ‘Yes, and the other painting includes the loch.’

Robin frowned. ‘That’s an odd coincidence. My textile art is more abstract, but this one depicts the flowers and scenery from the castle’s gardens, and this is my version of flowers at the loch.’

They looked at each other.

‘Do you think Gaven is up to something?’ said Oliver.

Robin nodded slowly. ‘Could he be planning some sort of surprise for us at our wedding reception at the castle?’

Oliver looked thoughtful. ‘He could. So let’s pretend we don’t think anything is suspicious.’

Robin agreed. ‘We don’t want to spoil the surprise.’

Aileen came rushing in. ‘Sorry to barge in, Oliver, but I can’t leave my shop for long. Do you have any of those wall hooks that you use for hanging up your paintings?’

Oliver opened a drawer and scooped up a few. ‘What size do you need, and how many? And what’s it for?’

‘Gaven has bought a quilt from me and wants a wall hanging kit with it. I’d like to add a few of your hooks for safe measure just in case he needs them to secure the fixings.’

‘The laird has bought paintings and textile art from us this morning,’ Robin told Aileen.

‘He’s up to something, but I don’t know what it is,’ said Aileen.

Oliver gave Aileen a small handful of hooks. She went to pay for them, but he brushed her offer aside. ‘I’ve plenty of these.’

‘Thanks, Oliver,’ said Aileen. ‘See you at the crafting bee tonight,’ she said to Robin and then dashed back to her quilt shop, leaving Oliver and Robin even more puzzled about Gaven’s intentions.

‘Maybe he’s up to something else, and it has nothing to do with our wedding,’ said Oliver, and then set about framing Robin’s textile art.

‘Do you fancy an early lunch?’ Robin offered while Oliver made a professional job of the framing. ‘I could pop across to Bradoch’s bakery and pick up something tasty for us.’

‘Oh, yes.’ He’d been up at the crack of dawn to finish illustrations for his latest book before starting work downstairs in the shop. The tea and a slice of toast he’d had for breakfast was long burned up in the whirlwind morning.

Knowing what Oliver liked, as their tastes were similar, Robin went over to the bakery.

The tempting aroma of fresh baked bread, scones and savoury pastries wafted past her as she went inside the vintage style bakery. Light and airy, it had a small fire burning in the hearth in the front area where a few tables were available for people to sit down for morning or afternoon teas. The window gave a view of the main street.

Bradoch was behind the counter, dressed in his bakery whites, a fine looking man with dark hair, dark blue eyes, and in his mid–thirties. Like the laird, he was single by circumstances rather than choice, but he was hopeful that this year the woman of his dreams would waltz into his world. In the meantime, he was happy working in his bakery that sold a delicious range of fresh bread, Scotch morning rolls, cakes, scones and savoury pastries.

Celebration cakes were on display in a glass cabinet and included Robin and Oliver’s two–tier wedding cake. They’d chosen a traditional design and Bradoch had decorated the cake with white royal icing and pastel fondant flowers. Robin loved seeing it every time she walked in. Her heart raced in anticipation of cutting the cake with Oliver at their wedding reception. Not long now.

Robin had another fitting for her wedding dress, a vintage design that Penny had made for her, but apart from that, everything was planned and ready for their big day. It was almost too easy, but the ladies of the crafting bee had helped smooth things over, taking on tasks to ensure that Robin’s wedding was hassle–free.

‘What can I get for you, Robin?’

Bradoch’s friendly voice jolted Robin from her thoughts. ‘What’s your special lunch offer today?’

‘A savoury pastry with a scoop of tomato and greentail salad, a tattie scone, and a snowball or a cream meringue.’

‘I’ll have two specials with snowballs, please.’

Bradoch wrapped up Robin’s order. ‘Folk have been admiring your wedding cake. Not long now until your big day.’

‘I was just thinking that.’ She heard herself sounding tense. ‘Everything’s more or less set, but now I’m thinking I’ve forgotten something.’

Bradoch popped two of his chocolate truffles in with her order. ‘You need to relax a wee bit. You’re winding yourself up into a tizzy for nothing. From what I’ve heard, everyone from Gaven and Walter and the crafting bee ladies have got your back covered.’

Robin took a deep breath and paid for her order. ‘You’re right. Thanks, Bradoch.’

‘Nae bother, now away and enjoy your lunch with Oliver.’

Robin smiled at Bradoch. He knew everyone’s business and correctly surmised she was having lunch with Oliver at the art shop. The bakery was a hub for the local gossip. There was very little news that Bradoch wasn’t privy to first.

Picking up her order, Robin hesitated. ‘Have you heard anything about what Gaven’s up to at the castle?’

Bradoch’s reaction showed he knew fine well, but had been told to keep it a secret.

Robin got the message. ‘It’s okay. I’m sure I’ll find out tonight at the crafting bee.’

Bradoch gave her a knowing smile, and she left the bakery and headed over to the art shop.

‘I’ll just be a wee minute,’ Bradoch told the next customer. ‘I need to make a quick phone call.’

‘I’m in no rush, Bradoch,’ said Fyn, taking time to view the savoury pastry and tattie scones he planned to have for his lunch.

Bradoch hurried through to his kitchen at the back of the bakery and phoned Walter. ‘Robin suspects something. And so do a few others, including Aileen. She couldn’t decide whether she wanted a chocolate cupcake or a chocolate éclair for quizzing me about why Gaven bought one of her quilts this morning.’

‘No worries,’ Walter assured Bradoch. ‘Gaven is going to reveal all tonight at the crafting bee.’

CHAPTER THREE

‘Have you ever taken your spinning wheel to the crafting bee at the castle?’ Campbell said to Bee as they ate their soup and bread sitting at the table in her cottage kitchen.

Bee lifted a slice of bread and paused. ‘No, but I’ve taken the little drop spindles to show the ladies how to spin their own yarn. And I’ve held a couple of knitting nights here at the cottage where they’ve had a go at using the spinning wheel, and the drop spindles.’

Even Campbell had tried his hand at using the spindles, with a modicum of success, for fun, and he could see the appeal of spinning your own yarn.

The drop spindles were little wooden spindles that didn’t cost much, and were easy to handle and small enough to pop in a craft bag. A spindle looked like a wooden stick with a circular piece and hook at the top for looping the yarn through.

‘Why did you wonder about the spinning wheel?’ said Bee.

Campbell concentrated on his soup and shrugged. ‘No particular reason,’ he lied. Perhaps Gaven would buy a spinning wheel for the new craft room for Bee to use if she took part in the workshops.

Bee looked thoughtful. ‘Maybe I’ll take a couple of wee spindles with me this evening and some wool fibres so they can try hand–spinning some yarn.’

Campbell nodded and ate his soup. ‘I’m going up to the castle tonight to check on the building work for Gaven. Do you want me to give you a lift instead of taking two cars?’

Bee smiled and nodded. ‘Yes, that would be handy.’

They continued eating their lunch and chatting about Robin and Oliver’s wedding.

‘I’ve wrapped the tea set we’re giving them,’ Bee told him. ‘Rose has quilted placemats to match the floral design. She found fabric in one of the bundles from Aileen’s quilt shop that has wee robins in the print. All the ladies are trying to coordinate the wedding presents.’

Rose was an expert quilter and was another newcomer to the village, moving into a quaint cottage in one of the fields nearby. She’d started dating Ian, a professional dancer in his early thirties. He was another recent resident and lived in a larger cottage in the same field. Currently, Ian was away a lot rehearsing for his forthcoming show in a theatre in Edinburgh. Ian had taught the ladies of the crafting bee, and others, how to waltz and foxtrot for the Christmas and New Year balls. Campbell had taken part in the lessons, dancing with Bee, and had participated in trying to learn the samba too.

‘I think Rose is missing Ian a wee bit, even though he’s travelling back and forth from Edinburgh to help keep the flames of their new romance burning bright,’ Bee commented. ‘Everyone’s expecting an engagement soon.’

‘They’re a well–matched couple.’

‘Especially as Ian has been teaching Rose to dance to a really high standard.’

‘You dance beautifully,’ Campbell told her.

Bee gazed warmly at him. ‘I enjoy dancing with you, even if our foxtrot leaves a lot to be desired.’

‘We dance for fun, for the love of it. And in that respect, I think we’re a well–matched couple too.’

‘We are,’ Bee agreed, and started to clear the dishes away, lifting them over to the sink.

Campbell got up and wrapped his arms around her.

‘I’d better go and let you get on with your knitting,’ he said, hugging her close. ‘Thanks for lunch. That soup was tasty. I’ll pick you up in plenty of time for the crafting bee.’

She leaned back against him. ‘Okay, I’ll see you later.’

Campbell gave her a kiss and then saw himself out, taking his other jumper with him.

Glancing up at the sky before getting into his car, he noted that the sky showed no signs of rain. He planned to tackle the work needed for the beehives, and drove the short distance to the field where Sean’s farmhouse was situated.

Campbell’s whitewashed cottage looked picturesque tucked into a corner of the field, and although he was eager to add a few extras to it, he saw his father working with the hives.

‘I’ll get myself kitted and join you in a few minutes,’ Campbell said to Sean as he got out of his car.

‘I see you’ve been to Bee’s cottage,’ Sean said with a wry smile.

Campbell frowned, and then he realised. ‘Ah, yes, do you like my new jumper?’

‘I do. That’s a nice colour. It reminds me of purple heather and thistles.’

‘That’s what I thought.’ He pulled the jumper down and stood to show Sean the full design. ‘I was modelling it for Bee, but I decided to buy it.’

‘A man can never have too many jumpers, especially when we’re still at the beginning of the year. The air was brisk early in the morning. It’s milder now, but we’ve a number of weeks to go before the woolly jumper weather fades into a warm and sunny spring.’

Campbell agreed. ‘I’ll get changed and be right back.’ He hurried into the farmhouse, took his jumper off in his bedroom, put the other one aside, pulled on a long sleeve top and then went through to the hallway near the kitchen where they kept their beekeeping outfits.

Wearing his white beekeeping suit, he pulled the veil down on his fencing style hood and headed outside to join Sean. Zipped up from head to toe, he put white gauntlets on to complete his protective outfit.

Striding over to one of the hives, he checked on the bees inside it, lifting the top off carefully so as not to disturb them. During the winter, the honey bees sheltered inside the hives, hardly venturing outside in the cold.

Sean and Campbell had covered the hives to shield the bees from the harsh cold, and regularly checked they were doing okay. Now that the weather was milder, they planned to help the bees become accustomed again to the outdoor elements, bringing a buzz back into the white–painted hives.

Oliver had put the closed sign up on his shop, and was upstairs finishing his lunch with Robin. He’d opted to finish framing the textile art, making a fine job of it, and then they had lunch upstairs.

Robin had heated the pastries in the oven and buttered the potato scones while Oliver made a pot of tea.

He topped up their mugs with tea, and both of them tried not to make a mess with the coconut and cake crumbs from the snowballs. The round sponge cakes were sandwiched with strawberry jam, coated in white icing and rolled in coconut.

The upstairs accommodation consisted of a comfy flat. The living room had a view of the main street and the scenery beyond it. In the evenings, Oliver enjoyed looking at the clear night skies while he worked on his book illustrations or other artwork. His large floral watercolour paintings hung on the walls, and although he felt relaxed there, he was looking forward to making a home with Robin at the cottage by the loch.

A call came through for Robin as she finished her tea and cake. ‘It’s Penny. I’d better take this.’

Oliver made himself scarce, knowing they’d be talking about Robin’s wedding dress.

He went downstairs and reopened the shop.

‘Are you free to come over for a fitting?’ Penny said to Robin.

‘Yes, I’ve just had lunch with Oliver. I’m at the art shop. I’ll be there in a few minutes,’ Robin told her.

‘See you soon,’ said Penny.

‘I’m away to do secret stuff,’ Robin summarised to Oliver as she went downstairs. She put her jacket on, gave him a kiss and hurried out.

They’d agreed he’d drive them up to the castle at night in time for the crafting bee and bring the watercolours and textile art with them.

From the main street it was a two minute walk to the loch. Robin relished the fresh air as she looked at the stillness of the water, picturing the wedding ceremony that would soon take place there. If the weather was like this, everything would be fine. The current forecast was promising.

Robin walked past the spot where Oliver had proposed one night, and she still kept glancing at the sparkling diamond ring on her finger. She doubted the feeling would ever wear off, and soon she’d be wearing a band of gold too.

Heading around the loch to where Penny’s cottage was situated. she considered Penny and Neil’s circumstances and how they’d made their lives merge, combining practical measures for their work and building a home life together. Penny’s cottage where she ran her sewing and mending business was just along from Neil’s where he had his goldsmith studio set up. They’d continued working from their cottages, but lived as a married couple at Neil’s.

Penny’s cottage didn’t have room to accommodate both their businesses, especially as she kept a stock of vintage clothes that she mended and redesigned for sale on her website. Robin felt this was a variation to her set–up plans with Oliver. She’d continue to work on her textile art from her cottage and Oliver would work at the shop and come to the cottage in the evenings.

Plans, hopes and dreams were still filtering through her mind when she arrived outside Penny’s cottage. The garden was blooming with the loveliness of spring, and the door was open in welcoming.

Robin knocked and went inside.

‘Are you on your own?’ Penny said, prepared to shield the wedding dress that was hanging up on a rail in the living room in case Oliver was with her.

‘It’s just me,’ Robin assured her.

Penny stepped aside and made a dramatic sweep of her hand to reveal the finished dress.

Robin had seen the progress of the design, from the basic toile to the almost finished bridal gown. The previous fitting had established the actual fit of the dress, that the shoulders sat well, and the classic neckline and bodice were perfect, and the hem on the gorgeous white satin was the correct length, brushing the tip of the bridal shoes.

‘I’ve finished the crystal beading and embroidery work,’ Penny announced.

Robin gasped and walked slowly towards the dress, mesmerised by the sparkling effect of the crystals on the bodice and the beautiful whitework embroidery depicting flowers that were Robin’s favourites — roses, and these were going to be in the bridal bouquet that Fyn was making.

‘Want to try it on?’ Penny offered.

‘Wow! It’s so beautiful. Your dressmaking and embroidery is gorgeous.’

‘Come on, put it on. I’m eager to see that it fits perfectly. Your shoes are there with the dress so we can get the full effect. Hopefully this will be your final fitting before you wear it on your wedding day.’

Robin started to put the dress on. ‘My heart starts fluttering every time I think about the wedding.’

‘Enjoy all the flutterings,’ said Penny. ‘I know I did when I married Neil.’ She helped Robin adjust the dress. ‘I don’t think I’ve entirely unfluttered yet, if there is such a thing. And I’m happy with that.’

They laughed, and then Robin stepped into the satin, low heel courts and stood in front of the full–length mirror.

‘Well?’ Penny said, sounding excited. ‘Will it do?’

‘It’s beautiful. Perfect. I’m going to have trouble taking it off. I. Love. It!’

‘Phew! That’s a relief,’ Penny joked.

Rechecking the dress, Penny then helped Robin take it off and carefully hung it up for safe keeping under a protective wrap.

‘I’ll bring the dress over on the morning of your wedding,’ Penny assured her. Robin wasn’t getting married until the afternoon. But the crafting bee ladies were helping Robin with her hair, makeup and bolstering around her.

‘These arrived.’ Penny handed Robin two diamante clasps for her hair. ‘The clasps are from me. I hope you like them.’

Robin gave her a hug and pinned up the sides of her long, strawberry blonde hair with them. She’d chosen to wear her hair down rather than pin it up. The clasps sparkled under the lights in the cottage.

‘Thank you so much, Penny.’

‘Okay, I think a celebratory tea is in order to help us both settle our flutterings. I’m so looking forward to your wedding. I love weddings.’

‘I loved your wedding, and your dress and the function at the castle,’ Robin gushed.

Penny went through to the kitchen and filled the kettle for tea. They sat down at the kitchen table to chat about wedding dresses, bouquets and music for the dancing at the castle while it boiled.

‘Bee says she’s finished knitting a lace shawl for me to wear with my wedding dress if it’s a cold day,’ said Robin.

‘Her lace weight shawls are exquisite. It’ll be ideal to wear around your shoulders as you walk down from your cottage to the loch.’ Robin had told Penny the details of where they were planning to exchange their vows.

‘I’ll be able to wear the shawl later for other special events, like the ceilidhs and dances at the castle.’

Penny agreed. ‘I still have the white lace bolero Bee knitted for me.’ Penny had worn it over her wedding dress.

Bee sat in her cottage knitting a lace weight shawl in one of the new lilac shades of yarn. The white bridal shawl was hung up under a protective covering ready to be taken to Robin’s cottage on the morning of the wedding.

While she knitted, she couldn’t help but wonder if and when she’d ever marry Campbell. His hints that they were a well–matched couple were less than subtle, though there hadn’t been mention of a proposal. If he did propose she’d say—’

A call jarred her from her wayward thoughts. It was Etta.

‘Have you heard rumblings about Gaven up to something at the castle?’ Etta sounded perturbed. She rattled off the items he’d bought that morning. ‘Has Gaven bought anything from you?’

‘No, but Campbell was doing some building work for Gaven at the castle this morning,’ Bee revealed.

‘Och, that’ll just be for the new cabins or something else for the guests.’

‘But Campbell did want to know if I’d ever taken my spinning wheel to the crafting bee nights.’

‘The laird’s up to something sneaky. I spoke to Jessy, and she’s such a bad liar. I know he’s told her not to tell us what he’s doing, and it’s not her fault if she’s to keep her lips buttoned.’

‘What about Walter?’

‘Nah, I couldn’t winkle anything out of him either.’ Etta sighed huffily. ‘But I’ll find out what’s going on tonight. Are you going to the crafting bee?’

‘Oh, yes, I’ll be there. Campbell’s driving me up. He said he’s got to check on the building work.’

‘It all sounds like jiggery–pokery to me.’ Etta huffed again. ‘Bradoch knows. I’ve been to the bakery twice today to try and wangle the gossip out of him, but he’s in on their secretive scheming.’

‘Don’t upset yourself, Etta. I’m sure the laird would never do anything detrimental or cancel our crafting bee nights at the castle.’

Etta took a calming breath. ‘You’re right, thanks Bee. I’ll let you get on with your knitting and see you tonight. I unintentionally bought one of Bradoch’s sausage rolls and a yum yum from the bakery, so at least I won’t have to make anything for my dinner before I go to the crafting bee.’

Bee stifled a giggle.

Etta gave in and laughed as they ended the call.

Campbell and Sean finished working on the hives, and as the late afternoon light started to fade into a pink and lilac twilight, they went into the farmhouse and took their white beekeeping kits off and got cleaned up.

They were both going to the castle later. Sean was driving Muira up. Muira was an attractive woman in her fifties and owned the sweet shop in the main street along with her niece, Sylvia. Sean had been dating Muira and their relationship was a happy and hopeful one. And Sylvia had become engaged to Laurie at New Year. Laurie was a successful singer songwriter and lived in a house not far from the castle that he’d recently had refurbished to include a recording studio for his personal use.

‘I’ll rustle us up some dinner,’ Sean said as they both walked into the kitchen looking clean and smartly dressed.

Sean enjoyed cooking, and although Campbell could cater for himself, it was usually his father that took charge of their dinners.

‘What’s on the menu?’ said Campbell.

Sean opened the fridge and had a look in one of the cupboards. ‘Pot luck.’

‘My favourite.’

Sean laughed and began to rattle around the kitchen, preparing a spicy tomato pasta dish for them, topped with a sprinkling of Scottish cheddar.

Campbell made the tea and cut thick slices of bread while they discussed the beehives, and then the conversation veered to romance.

‘Are you taking Muira as your date to Robin and Oliver’s wedding?’ said Campbell.

‘I certainly am. And I’m wearing my kilt. Oliver says we can decide to be kilted or wear a suit, it’s up to ourselves, but the groom’s wearing a kilt and I know that the laird will as well, and Walter.’

‘Kilts it is then,’ Campbell stated firmly.

‘What about you and Bee? Any plans yet on your proposal?’

‘No, but I’m thinking that I should wait until after the wedding,’ said Campbell. ‘I don’t want our engagement to steal any of the limelight from Robin and Oliver’s special day.’

Sean nodded. ‘It’ll give you more time to think of how to do it. Has Neil started work on the engagement ring?’

‘He has. I’ve told him what type of rings I’ve heard Bee chatting about to the other ladies. And she tried Sylvia’s new engagement ring on and I noticed that it was a nice fit. Neil made that ring too, so he knows the size.’

Sean put the pasta dish under the grill for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese before serving up two plates of the rich and tasty dinner.

Campbell poured the tea and they sat down at the kitchen table.

‘This is delicious,’ Campbell said, tucking in. Then he added, ‘I think it’s a romantic idea having their wedding ceremony at the loch where Oliver proposed to Robin.’

Sean agreed. ‘Maybe you could propose to Bee at the loch. After all, that’s where she first saw you causing a commotion that night when the ladies were having a craft night at Etta’s cottage.’ Sean smiled to himself. ‘A golden haired troublemaker. That’s what they called you.’

‘Don’t remind me.’ Campbell squirmed at the trouble he’d caused.

‘Skinny dipping in the cold loch at night, in the dark.’ Sean shook his head, but he was teasing him.

‘I was wearing trunks.’

Sean smirked. ‘Skimpy dipping then.’

‘I’m glad you find it funny. None of the ladies did, including Bee.’

‘But it was sort of love at first sight, when you saw her standing with the other ladies getting ready to dive in to save you.’

‘I still squirm at the thought of it. But I’d only just arrived from Edinburgh. I didn’t know that folk didn’t go swimming in the loch after dark.’

‘Common sense.’

‘Aye, well...’ Campbell shrugged and ate his dinner.

‘That’s where your romance began with Bee.’

‘I don’t want to propose at night beside the loch. It’ll seem like I’m copying Oliver.’

‘That’s true,’ Sean admitted.

‘But maybe it’ll spark ideas of how to make the proposal special,’ said Campbell.

‘Neil proposed to Penny at night in his garden and had it all done up with twinkle lights,’ said Sean. ‘Oliver chose the loch in the evening. And Laurie proposed outside in the snow at the castle during the bells at New Year.’

‘Outdoor proposals seem to be a success,’ Campbell admitted. ‘I could take Bee to the shore and get down on one knee on the sand. She loves swimming so that would be an alternative to the loch.’

Sean nodded. ‘Or...?’

‘What?’

‘Where else could you propose that’s special to you?’

Campbell looked thoughtful, and then it dawned on him. ‘In our beekeeping fields?’

Sean shrugged. ‘It’s just a thought.’

Campbell felt a surge of enthusiasm as the spark of a plan started to ignite.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sylvia locked the sweet shop up for the night after Muira left. They’d had a busy day working at the shop. In the afternoon they’d received an order from chef at the castle for additional chocolate truffles, chocolate toffee hearts and chocolate dipped fudge.

These were Robin’s favourites, and Oliver had requested that they be included in the wedding buffet. Chef had pre–ordered enough, but during lunch, some of the wedding chocolates had inadvertently been served to the castle’s guests, leaving chef a few chocolates short for the full buffet.

Sylvia had spent the afternoon making a second order of chocolate truffles using her own recipes that had increased demand for the sweet shop’s confectionery since she’d come to work there with her aunt. Sylvia lived in the cosy accommodation at the back of the shop that had a small garden with a shed. Living and working in a sweet shop was a dream come true.

While Sylvia made the chocolates in the kitchen, Muira had served customers and packed the online customer orders and taken them to the post office.

Now it was time to head to the crafting bee night. Muira had been picked up by Sean and taken her knitting with her.

Sylvia had packed her bag with the needle felting projects she was making, having learned the craft from Muira. A needle felted little robin that Sylvia had made was perched on one of the shelves in the shop. Her current project was a bumblebee.

The evening air had a crispness to it, but the bitter cold of the winter had gone and she breathed in the sense of a forthcoming mild spring. Sylvia was an attractive young woman in her early thirties with shoulder–length blonde hair. The engagement ring from Laurie sparkled in the glow from the shop window’s display lights as she got into her car to head up to the castle.

A date for their wedding hadn’t yet been planned, but she felt secure in her relationship with Laurie. He was busy writing and recording songs for his new album, and after the crafting bee Sylvia was due to finish her evening at his studio playing the baby grand piano he’d gifted her.

Apart from making sweets and creating her own recipes for various products such as her special chocolates, Scottish tablet, and nougat made with the beemasters’ honey, she was a talented pianist. Becoming involved in Laurie’s world of music was something she enjoyed.

As she drove along the side of the loch she saw Campbell’s car heading up the forest road to the castle. Bee waved to Sylvia from the passenger seat and she waved back.

‘I wonder when Sylvia and Laurie will get married,’ Bee commented to Campbell as he navigated the forest road. His car headlights lit up the trees that overarched the route, and they chatted during the short drive to the castle.

‘Soon I would imagine,’ said Campbell. ‘They’re clearly smitten, and Sylvia’s involved in Laurie’s music, so they’ve got a lot in common.’

Bee was thoughtful for a moment. What did she have in common with Campbell, she wondered.

‘I’m not hinting that you should learn to work with the bees or build a cottage,’ he assured her.

‘You’ve worked hard on the renovations to your cottage.’

‘The repair work is done, and the decor and furnishings are complete. But as you know, I’ve been staying in the farmhouse during the winter. I’ll move into the cottage soon now that the weather is starting to get milder. I want to add wee bits and pieces to the decor. And fence off an area around the cottage to create a garden, adding hedging and a couple of trees to separate it from the field. Make it feel like home.’

‘You’ve put a lot of effort into it.’ Bee had seen the work in progress, and she’d had a couple of peeks inside the cottage. He’d even painted the kitchen a light sky blue for her.

‘I’d like to invite you over soon, maybe after Robin and Oliver’s wedding. I’d love your opinion on it.’ Campbell had added a couple of rooms to the design, renewed the roof, and repaired the windows and exterior doors. He’d laid a polished wooden floor throughout the cottage, and decorated it in light neutral tones. Sean had helped him tackle parts of the work.

Bee smiled brightly. ‘Okay, it’s a date.’

‘You might see me pottering around, sorting the garden,’ he said.

‘You should put outdoor twinkle lights in the garden, like the little bee solar lights you helped me entwine through the rambling roses and hedging in mine.’

‘I’ll do that,’ he said. ‘I liked your wee bumblebee lights.’

‘They’d suit the theme of your beemaster’s cottage garden.’

Campbell agreed, but the one thing that would truly make his home complete was having Bee there with him, building a life together.

Rose was running late. She’d been busy finishing a quilt for a customer and the time had gotten away from her.

Throwing on a warm coat over her jumper and jeans, she grabbed her craft bag filled with a set of quilted cushion covers she was stitching with appliqué, and hurried out to her car. Rose was thirty with dark chestnut hair and blue eyes. Her boyfriend, Ian, was staying overnight in Edinburgh because he had dance rehearsals and promotional interviews to attend the following day. She missed him, but their romance was flourishing well.

Rose was the last member of the crafting bee to arrive. Hurrying inside the reception, she went through to the function room. Gaven gave them the use of the room for their weekly craft nights. A fire burned in the hearth, adding a welcoming warmth to the large room that had glass patio doors leading out to the castle’s back garden area and the forest beyond.

The ladies were sitting at the tables chatting, preparing to start their knitting, sewing and other crafts.

Rose hung her coat on the back of a chair and sat down beside Etta and Bee.

Jessy came hurrying through from reception. ‘Gaven wants to have a word with you,’ she announced to the ladies.

Gaven walked in, clasping his notes and addressed the members.

‘Good evening, ladies. I’d like to talk to you about something I’m planning for the castle. I’ve been receiving a lot of enquiries from guests regarding crafting. Guests are interested in learning how to knit, quilt, crochet, all sorts of popular crafts.’

The ladies exchanged surprised but interested glances as the laird continued to tell them his plan.

‘I’m planning to hold crafting workshops at the castle for guests to attend,’ Gaven explained.

‘Workshops?’ said Etta. ‘Here in the function room?’

‘No, I’ve had the large storeroom cleared out. I’d like to show you this before you start your crafting bee evening,’ Gaven told them.’ It won’t take long, and then I’ll leave you to discuss my plans, and decide whether you want to be involved in the workshops.’

‘What would be have to do?’ said Bee.

‘Demonstrate your crafts to the guests, let them try their hand at making things. I’m going to need skilled crafters to instruct at the workshops.’ Gaven gestured around him. ‘And I’d like to invite members of the crafting bee to do it.’

The ladies looked interested.

‘Let me show you what we’ve done with the storeroom.’ Gaven went over to the patio doors, opened them and led the ladies along to the back entrance to the store.

Oliver and Campbell were there helping Walter hang the paintings and textile art. Aileen’s quilt was already displayed as a wall hanging.

Aileen gasped when she saw her quilt. ‘So that’s what you wanted it for,’ she said to Gaven.

The laird smiled. ‘I wanted to have the storeroom looking like a craft room. The concept is something I needed all of you to see together so you could decide whether you’d like to be part of the workshops.’

Robin saw her textile art hanging opposite Oliver’s paintings. The colours went well together and added splashes of colour and artistry to the room.

Etta stood beside Jessy and looked around. ‘This is lovely. I knew you and Gaven were up to something, but I never thought it would be a craft room.’

‘What do you think?’ Jessy said in a confiding whisper to Etta. ‘Should the crafting bee members become involved in the workshops?’

Etta kept her voice down. ‘Oh, I think this would be a great opportunity for us. It depends on what Gaven has in mind exactly.’

‘These are the original tables from when this was a dining room,’ Walter told them as Oliver finished hanging the watercolours. He went over and leaned on one of the tables. ‘They’re sturdy and the chairs are the ideal height for sitting at them.’

Etta, Rose, Aileen and Penny went over to look at the tables.

‘I’m going to buy more sewing machines that will be kept here permanently for the workshops,’ Gaven told them.

‘So we won’t be using the ones from our bee nights in the function room?’ Etta wanted to clarify.

‘No, those will be for your crafting bee nights,’ Gaven explained.

‘These tables are sturdy,’ said Etta. ‘They’d be perfect for setting up the sewing machines for quilting, sewing and dressmaking.’

‘We could make quilted seat cushions for the wooden chairs,’ Rose suggested.

The plans started to form and soon the air was filled with excited chatter as the ladies discussed what they’d make for the new room.

‘I don’t want to curtail your crafting bee night,’ said Gaven.

His comment was brushed aside amid more chit–chat from the ladies.

‘I want to make it clear that I don’t want this to interfere with any of your businesses,’ Gaven announced, making sure they understood.

The chatter subsided as they listened to him continue.

‘Many of you run your craft businesses from home or shops in the main street,’ said Gaven. ‘The last thing I want is for the workshops to affect your own crafting. The workshops will be held mainly in the mornings and afternoons, occasionally in the evenings depending on the demand for these. Those of you, like Aileen, Muira and Sylvia, have your shops to tend to during the day, so your involvement would be in the evenings.’

‘Will the workshops be held every day?’ said Etta.

‘No, I’d like to introduce them three times a week at first and see what works,’ said Gaven.

‘Gaven’s been taking heed of the comments from guests,’ Jessy piped–up. ‘They’ve been leaving remarks on how much they’d love to try the crafts they’ve heard about. The autumn craft fair stirred up quite an interest, and with Mullcairn mentioning the castle’s hotel and cabin accommodation on the radio, the publicity has really sparked folks eagerness to try quilting, knitting, embroidery, you name it.’

‘Each workshop would last for a couple of hours, or whatever you think is suitable,’ Gaven said to the ladies. ‘Morning and afternoon tea would be included after each workshop. I’ve spoken to chef, and he’s happy to handle this.’

‘We’d be letting guests try a bit of quilting, show them how to make hexies for instance,’ Jessy explained. ‘Between us, we need to decide what we could demonstrate that guests could achieve.’

‘I’d be willing to show them how to spin their own yarn with the wee drop spindles,’ Bee offered.

Gaven spoke up. ‘I wanted to talk to you about that. Would it be of use to have a spinning wheel set up here along with the sewing machines?’

‘Yes, but I could bring mine along—’

Gaven cut–in. ‘No, Bee, I don’t want you using your own equipment. I’ll buy a spinning wheel. You tell me what type.’

Bee nodded. ‘Okay.’

‘The same applies for all of your equipment,’ Gaven added to the ladies. ‘Make a list of what else I need to buy for the craft room. Sewing boxes, paints for the textile art, yarn, embroidery hoops. Whatever is needed.’

The ladies nodded and chatted, planning what the craft room required.

‘Fabric, thread, wool...tell me,’ said Gaven.

‘Will each workshop be a mix of crafts?’ said Penny. ‘Sewing and knitting, textile art and crochet?’

Gaven shook his head. ‘No, each workshop will have a specific craft. These will be advertised on the castle’s website, and at reception for the guests to see. So there could be a morning of knitting, a sewing afternoon and evening of embroidery.’

The ladies understood and agreed with Gaven’s plans for the workshops.

‘Did you know this was why Gaven bought my textile art and your paintings?’ Robin whispered to Oliver.

‘No, I only found out when I brought them into reception and Walter whisked me through here to help set things up so you could all see them on the walls,’ Oliver whispered back.

‘I’m going to get my notebook.’ Etta hurried out the back door and along to the function room where it was tucked in her craft bag.

Penny, Robin, Aileen, Rose and others went too, and came back armed to take notes.

Rose and Aileen had brought their measuring tapes and began sizing up the quilted seat cushions required.

Etta wrote the workshops suggested by the ladies on her notebook, beginning by listing — knitting and quilting.

‘Sewing and mending,’ said Penny. ‘Embroidery and dressmaking.’

Etta and others continued to list the categories one by one.

‘Needle felting,’ said Sylvia.

‘Spinning yarn.’ Bee frowned. ‘Or would that be included in knitting?’

‘No, we’ll list everything and then divide them into subcategories,’ Etta advised.

Gaven read the items he’d listed. ‘Tapestry.’

‘I could take that workshop,’ one of the ladies said.

‘I’ll add your name as one of the crafters willing to participate,’ Etta told her.

‘Appliqué,’ said Rose. ‘Add my name for appliqué and quilting.’

Gaven continued. ‘Crochet, rag doll making, cross stitch, papercraft, and textile art.’

‘Will you be including a watercolour art class?’ Robin said to Gaven.

‘Not at the moment,’ said Gaven. ‘These are the crafts that guests have mentioned and Jessy added a few as she knew what all the members specialised in.’

Etta studied her list. ‘We’ve got plenty of popular crafts to get us started.’

Gaven nodded firmly. ‘That’s what I’d like to do. Get the ball rolling, set up the craft room, begin with a crafting afternoon. See if the guests enjoy it.’

‘What should we start with?’ said Sylvia.

‘That’s up to you,’ said Gaven. ‘You’re the experts. But I would suggest that whatever you demonstrate, that those attending the workshop should be able to make something that they can take away with them, a keepsake, to show that they took part.’

‘Learn how to do visible mending,’ said Penny. ‘They could bring an item of clothing and I’ll show them how to make an artistic patch to mend a tear or stain, using embroidery thread and crewel wool. I’ll demonstrate stitching a pretty patch on a vintage denim jacket to mend wear and tear, or just to add a bit of interest. If they don’t have an item, I could give them a piece of fabric to learn the technique. It’s easy to learn, and so handy, and it adds a touch of creative style to a garment.’

Several of the ladies were nodding.

‘Penny’s sewing and mending techniques are great to learn, and are ideal for beginners,’ Etta acknowledged.

Gaven closed his notebook. ‘We have a plan!’

‘Do the ladies want their tea and cake now?’ Chef called into them from outside.

Etta frowned at Jessy? ‘Cake? As well as our usual scones and jam?’

Chef overheard them. ‘Chocolate cake, lemon drizzle, scones with cream and jam, tea...and a big pot of hot chocolate.’

‘Thank you, chef,’ Gaven called to him. ‘The ladies will be right through.’ Gaven swept them outside and back along to the function room. He closed the patio doors against the brisk night air.

‘I’ll let you enjoy your crafting bee evening,’ Gaven told them. ‘But there’s one thing I’d like to emphasise. All those participating in the workshops will be paid for their time.’

‘We’ll work out a fair amount,’ Jessy added, seeing the surprised looks on their faces.

‘And I’m happy for you to bring items you make and usually sell on your websites or the local shops, and make them available for the guests to buy.’ Gaven smiled at them. ‘I’ve always held back from having a gift shop at the castle as I like to encourage guests to pop down to the village main street, and purchase items direct from yourselves. But if you have items you’d like to sell, you’re welcome to do this.’

‘That would be handy,’ said Muira. ‘A lot of us sold a fair amount of our handmade items at our stalls at the craft fair.’

‘Well, think of it like that,’ said Gaven. ‘And I hope you won’t mind, but I’ve hired Gare to take short videos of the workshops and these will be put up on the castle’s website.’

The ladies were happy with all of Gaven’s plans.

‘Right, enjoy your tea,’ he said. ‘And cake...and hot chocolate.’ Tempted by the rich aroma of chocolate, Gaven headed out of the function room and went through to the kitchen to order this for himself from chef.

The staff in the kitchen were efficiently busy, and chef was putting a large pot of hot chocolate and a cake stand brimming with cakes and scones on to a silver tea trolley.

‘There you go, Walter,’ said chef.

‘Cheers.’ Walter wheeled it away and smiled at Gaven as he walked by.

Reading Gaven’s puzzled expression, chef explained. ‘Walter’s having his tea break, or should I say, hot chocolate break, through in the piano bar along with Campbell, Oliver and Sean.’

‘Ah,’ Gaven said, realising the men were waiting, as they did many nights during the crafting bee, to take some of the ladies home afterwards.

Chef poured a mug of hot chocolate and topped it with cream. ‘But here’s yours, Gaven. And a slice of chocolate cake.’

‘Thank you, chef,’ Gaven said with a smile, and took his tasty treat away with him to his office behind the reception.

Fyn strode in, sweeping his thick blond hair back from his face, encountering Gaven in reception. ‘It’s blowing a hoolie oot there tonight.’

Gaven had his mug of hot chocolate in one hand, a plate of cake in the other, and his notebook tucked under his arm. ‘The forecast said it was going to be a wild and windy evening.’

Fyn smirked at Gaven.

‘Walter and the lads are having this in the piano bar. You’d better hurry if you want share.’

Fyn laughed and hurried through to join them. He often drove Aileen home from her bee night and had a cup of tea while he was there at the castle.

The crafting bee ladies shared the tea, hot chocolate, cake and scones while they discussed the workshops.

‘I’m certainly interested in taking part,’ said Etta.

All of the ladies were excited to join in.

‘The crafting room looks lovely,’ Penny remarked. ‘I love that it’s decorated with a craft theme. The artwork and the quilt are perfect.’

‘Remember,’ said Jessy, sipping her hot chocolate. ‘Gaven wants to organise this soon, so we’ll have to decide on the sewing machines and other equipment.’

‘The sewing machines Gaven bought for our bee nights are excellent for all sorts of quilting and sewing. He could order more of these,’ Etta suggested.

Jessy nodded. ‘I’ll tell him to order those. And we can use the ones from in here in the meantime until the new ones arrive.’

Etta sipped her tea, nodded and then took a bite of the lemon drizzle cake.

Bee was scrolling through spinning wheels for sale online on her phone. ‘This spinning wheel is similar to the one I use.’ She showed it to Jessy. ‘It’s quite a bargain.’

Jessy peered at the images and details. ‘Send me a link to it and I’ll show Gaven.’

‘Rails would be handy for hanging up any garments we sew.’ Penny gave Jessy a link to the ones she’d bought for the vintage clothes she made and mended. ‘I’ve got a spare rail that could be used. It’s lightweight, packs away, has wheels and is height–adjustable. If I demonstrate the sewing and mending, the clothes can easily be hung up on the rail to keep things looking professional and tidy.’

Muira and Sylvia suggested items for needle felting.

Penny added darning mushrooms to the list. ‘The mushrooms make mending a rip in a jumper sleeve or other knitted item so much easier. And they’re not expensive.’

Although the laird was wealthy, and the castle’s hotel facilities were thriving and making a profit, the ladies still wanted to find bargains. A few of the crafts could be done on a small budget, and they agreed that they wanted to keep the costs down.

Bundles of quilting weight cotton and thread were selected from Aileen’s quilt shop, along with cutting mats, other quilting equipment, embroidery hoops, and a couple of the pretty sewing baskets she sold.

Gradually, the ladies began to shop for what they needed, giving Jessy the information for Gaven.

Despite Gaven saying he didn’t want them having to supply their own equipment, the ladies decided that until the workshops were properly up and running, they’d bring along items that could be used.

Jessy went through to Gaven’s office to show him what they needed ordered.

Walter was behind the reception desk talking to a couple of guests. ‘Yes, Gaven’s planning to hold craft workshops in the castle.’ He saw Jessy and smiled. ‘Here’s Jessy. She’ll explain about the crafting better than me.’

Jessy did, surprised that the guests hoped the workshops would be starting while they were still enjoying a week’s break at the castle.

‘We’re organising the workshops as fast as we can,’ Jessy told them. ‘Penny is an expert at sewing and mending.’ She showed them Penny’s website.

‘I’d love to learn how to do visible mending,’ one of the guests said. She sounded particularly keen on Penny’s vintage buys, restoring pre–loved items like the popular denim jackets and skirts.

‘Tell the laird to put our names on the workshop list for the sewing and mending,’ the woman said to Jessy.

‘I’ll do that,’ Jessy assured her, and then went through to find Gaven sitting at his office desk checking items on his computer.

‘What do you think of these sewing machines?’ he said. ‘This is where I bought the other ones.’

Jessy gave him the links to the items required.

Gaven smiled, relieved that they’d organised this so quickly.

‘We like the sewing machines you bought, so order more of those,’ Jessy told him.

‘I’ll do that, and have them delivered soon.’

Jessy told him about the guests she’d just spoken to.

‘I think the workshops will be popular with guests,’ said Gaven. ‘When do you think Penny could take the first one?’

‘Pretty soon. We’ll use some of our own items until the new stuff is delivered. So...’ Jessy shrugged. ‘You could do what you did with the impromptu ballroom dance lessons you organised with Ian. Put a notice up in reception. Add details to the website.’

‘Is Penny still here?’

‘Yes, she’s in the function room.’

Gaven got up and headed through, followed by Jessy.

‘Penny!’ Gaven said, marching up to her as she was about to bite into a piece of chocolate cake. ‘If I put a notice up in reception saying that a sewing and mending workshop was being held in the new craft room tomorrow afternoon, would you be able to do that? Would it give you enough time to organise your schedule? Organise the things you need?’

‘Yes, and I think that would ease us into the workshops, as only a handful of guests would turn up to take part,’ Penny reasoned.

Gaven and Jessy agreed.

‘Right, I’ll get a notice pinned up. Thank you, Penny, for stepping up ready for the task.’ Filled with enthusiasm, Gaven strode away through to his office.

The ladies smiled at each other.

‘What have we let ourselves in for?’ Bee said with a smile.

‘Fun and maybe a complete fiasco,’ Etta joked.

They all laughed.

‘It wouldn’t be us if we didn’t stir things up a wee bit,’ said Jessy.

CHAPTER FIVE

Gaven pinned the notice up in the castle’s reception inviting guests to come along to the first of the new crafting workshops the following afternoon.

He highlighted that Penny, a local crafter, would be demonstrating her sewing and mending techniques, and invited the guests to participate. Details are on the castle’s website, or enquire at reception. Afternoon tea will be served after the workshop.

Walter was behind the reception desk and read the notice. ‘I’ll make sure everything in the room is set up ready for the workshop.’

‘Thank you, Walter. Penny says she’ll bring along what she needs for the demonstration and to let the guests try their hand at the mending techniques. It’s short notice, but the guests check the daily itinerary at reception, and I think a few of them will join in.’

‘It worked fine with Ian’s afternoon dance lessons,’ said Walter.

Gaven nodded. ‘Yes, so let’s push ahead with the workshops.’

Jessy came through from the function room. ‘The ladies are still coming up with ideas for the workshops.’ She had additions to the list. ‘Bee says she’s not busy the day after Penny’s sewing and mending afternoon. We wondered if you’d like to try a morning workshop, after breakfast, showing guests how to spin their own yarn using the wee drop spindles. Bee has plenty in stock that she sells to her customers.’

Gaven was delighted. ‘Great, I’ll make another notice and get it pinned up,’ he said to Jessy. ‘And take a look at what I’ve posted on our website’s latest news about the new workshops.’

‘I’ve got it here,’ said Walter as he read it on the computer screen.

Jessy stood beside Walter, eager to see what Gaven had posted.

The laird had detailed what was on the notice in reception, and given a link to Penny’s website showing two of her videos where she demonstrated her creative mending skills, repairing clothes and making them wearable again. Penny’s skills were excellent and she’d been featured in sewing and craft magazines.

Although her invisible mending was wonderful, Penny had become known in crafting circles for her visible mending — using bright coloured thread and embroidery motifs and various stitching techniques to mend a tear or worn fabric on jackets, jeans, dresses, skirts and other items.

Penny’s skill at embroidery, fashion and dressmaking made the repairs a design feature of the garments. Darning, appliqué, and quilting using hexies for patchwork repairs, were part of her methods and these were what she intended demonstrating at the workshops.

‘Penny’s videos are ideal for showing what will be included in the craft workshop,’ Jessy said to Gaven.

He nodded. ‘I think guests will be interested in taking part.’

‘Bee has videos of her knitting and spinning techniques on her website too,’ Jessy added.

‘I’ll give links to those for Bee’s workshop,’ said Gaven.

‘Most of the crafting bee members have videos on their websites,’ Jessy told Gaven. ‘This could be a great way to demonstrate the crafts that will be included and spark interest in the workshops.’

‘There are other wee tables and chairs in storage that I’ll dust down and set up in the craft room,’ said Walter. ‘I’ll away and check on them just now.’

‘I’d like to put you in charge of paying the ladies for their time, skills and whatever items they use,’ Gaven said to Jessy.

‘I’m happy to deal with that,’ Jessy assured him.

Gaven then hurried after Walter, and Jessy went back through to the function room.

‘Check the castle’s website,’ Jessy told the ladies, sounding excited. ‘Gaven’s started promoting the workshops — and he’s giving links to your websites. He’s started with Penny demonstrating her sewing and mending, and later he’s adding Bee’s knitting and yarn spinning.’

The ladies were keen to see the news updates and were happy with Gaven’s plans.

‘And Gaven’s put me in charge of all the payments to you,’ Jessy announced. ‘So tell me anything you use for the workshops — fabric, thread, things like that. Your costs will be covered.’

‘This will give a fair boost to a few of our wee craft businesses,’ said Etta.

The other ladies agreed, and there was a feeling of excitement during the remainder of their evening as they chatted about the new venture.

‘I’m working in my shop during the day,’ said Aileen. ‘But I’d be willing to take an evening workshop. I could show guests how to make a patchwork quilt using hexies.’

Jessy was keen to include a quilting workshop from Aileen. ‘We could start the workshops with a morning, an afternoon and an evening one. This would let us see what works well.’

Gaven called into the function room to the ladies. ‘Could you give me your opinion on these tables and chairs for the craft room?’ He’d helped Walter set them up.

Several of the ladies, including Jessy, followed him through.

‘We’ve kept the large tables at the sides of the room for the sewing machines,’ Gaven began. ‘But these smaller tables and chairs fit nicely into the middle of the room and there’s still space for things like the clothes rail and whatever else you decide the room needs.’

‘This layout is ideal,’ said Penny. ‘My sewing and mending class doesn’t even need the use of a sewing machine. It’s all sewing by hand.’

‘We’ve been talking about making sure the workshops are fun and encourage people to be creative,’ Etta said to Gaven. She glanced around. ‘There’s a wonderful atmosphere to the room already.’

‘Some of us have cushions and other pretty items that they’re going to drop off at my cottage tomorrow morning,’ said Penny. ‘I’ll drive up to the castle in plenty of time to put these on the chairs and added a crafty touch to the room before the workshop begins.’

‘I appreciate you all getting involved,’ Gaven told them.

‘We think it sounds like fun,’ Robin remarked.

Seeing Robin reminded Gaven that chef wanted to chat to her. ‘Before you leave this evening, chef wants a word with you and Oliver about your wedding buffet.’

Etta nudged Robin. ‘Not long now.’

A wave of excitement swept over Robin as she smiled at Etta. Only a handful of days.

Gaven noticed the mild panic on Robin’s face. ‘We have everything in hand for your wedding reception and the dance,’ he assured her. ‘Chef just wants to offer a few little treats for the buffet menu.’

‘Thank you, Gaven.’ Robin felt the tension ease.

Jessy checked the time. ‘Oh, my, look at the time. Our crafting bee night has usually finished by now.’

‘None of you are on the clock this evening,’ Gaven said, and ushered them back through to the function room so they could continue chatting and get some crafting done.

Another round of tea was organised for them, and the ladies continued to talk about the workshops while knitting, sewing and quilting.

The ladies were eager to find out about Robin’s wedding dress.

‘I had the final fitting today,’ Robin told them. ‘I love the dress, the white satin fabric, everything. Penny’s made a wonderful job of it. The crystal beading and embroidery work is gorgeous.’

‘The vintage style suits you so well,’ Penny said to Robin. ‘Wait until Oliver sees you.’

Robin smiled. ‘Oliver has no idea what type of wedding dress I’m wearing. I’ve kept it so secret. And Penny has given me diamante clasps for my hair—’

At that moment Oliver looked into the function room.

‘Shh!’ Etta said to Robin, signalling towards the doorway.

Robin smiled tightly as Oliver walked towards her.

‘Your textile art looks lovely in the new craft room,’ Etta said to Robin so Oliver would overhear her.

‘Sorry to interrupt,’ Oliver said to the ladies, and then spoke to Robin. ‘Chef wants to chat to us about the buffet.’

Robin stood up. ‘Gaven mentioned this. Our craft night is running a bit late, but do you want to go through to the kitchen and talk to chef now?’

‘Yes,’ said Oliver. ‘Walter says that chef has a few additions to the menu he’d like us to approve.’

Robin picked up her bag and headed out of the function room with Oliver.

‘The castle caters for lots of weddings,’ Oliver said to her as they went along to the kitchen. ‘I don’t know much about bridal buffets, so I thought we should take chef’s advice on what he’d like to add to the menu.’

Robin agreed. ‘I’m happy that chef, Gaven and the castle’s staff are arranging the reception. I keep getting butterflies when I think how close our wedding day is now.’

Our wedding day. Oliver felt his heart react to her words. He’d hoped that Robin would accept his proposal, and now they were getting married, he could barely contain his happiness.

The kitchen door was open, but they stood there and waved over to chef, not wanting to intrude. The guests’ dinners were finished being served, but preparations were underway for the next day’s menu, including cakes being baked for the following day. The air was rich with the aroma of fruit cake, gingerbread and vanilla.

Chef saw them at the doorway and beckoned them in, leading them over to a table where he’d laid out their menu. ‘I wondered if you’d like me to include a selection of cupcakes, shortbread and Scottish tablet at the wedding buffet.’

Robin and Oliver glanced at each other and nodded.

‘Yes, we’d like all of those,’ Oliver told him.

‘They’re popular for our wedding buffets and I think they’ll go well with your savoury selection of dishes,’ chef told them. ‘And I’d a wee peek at the new craft room and saw your watercolours and textile art on the walls,’ he added. ‘They look lovely.’

‘Thank you,’ said Robin. ‘Gaven wants the crafting bee ladies to become involved in the workshops, and we’re all abuzz with excitement.’

‘A wedding and new workshops.’ Chef smiled brightly. ‘A great start to the new year.’

The ladies were starting to pack up their bags in the function room, bringing their crafting bee night to a close.

Bee was putting on her coat and talking to Jessy and Etta about her plans for the morning workshop she’d agreed to do, when Campbell walked in, wondering if she was ready to go home.

She told him about the workshop. ‘I’m going to show guests how to spin their own yarn using the spindles. Gaven’s ordered a spinning wheel for the craft room too.’

Fyn walked in, looking for Aileen, and became part of the conversation.

‘Come and have a peek at the new craft room before we go,’ said Aileen.

Interested to see it, Fyn headed out of the patio doors, feeling the cold night air sweep past him.

Aileen opened the craft room door and they stepped inside. ‘Walter and Gaven have added tables and chairs, and my quilt has been hung up as part of the artwork.’

Fyn went over for a closer look at Aileen’s quilt. ‘It’s a piece of art in itself.’

Aileen looked pleased. ‘I’m taking an evening workshop in quilting for the guests. Probably patchwork, but we’re still agreeing the schedule with Gaven.’

‘Craft workshops sound like a fine idea,’ said Fyn. ‘Folk will enjoy learning quilting from you.’

Muira brought Sean into the craft room for a look around.

‘Will you be taking a class?’ Sean said to Muira.

‘I’m not sure yet, but perhaps I could teach guests how to make a needle felt bee or other wee creatures,’ Muira told him.

‘Ah, there you are, Aileen,’ Gaven said, hurrying in. ‘Jessy tells me you’ll teach a quilting workshop one evening.’

‘Yes, if you want me to,’ said Aileen.

‘I would. Could you come through to reception and we’ll organise a date?’

Aileen and Fyn followed Gaven to the reception and into his office.

Gaven scrolled through Aileen’s website videos that he had on his computer. ‘I’d like to add a link to one or two videos of the style of quilting you’ll be teaching.’

‘Patchwork. That video there is a great example. And this one shows how to make hexies.’ Aileen helped Gaven select the videos from the substantial selection she had on her website. And they agreed on a date for the evening workshop.

Then Aileen and Fyn headed outside, along with the others, all chatting about the new venture.

Campbell drove Bee away from the castle while she chatted about what she’d take with her to show guests how to spin their own yarn at the workshop.

‘I’ll take the drop spindles I have in stock, and plenty of wool fibres that they can use to spin the yarn,’ said Bee. She tapped her knitting bag. ‘We were so busy organising and planning the workshops tonight that I didn’t get a chance to let the ladies try hand–spinning any yarn. But while Robin was away with Oliver to talk to chef in the kitchen, Aileen showed us the finished wedding quilt she’d made for them. It’s beautiful. Robin knows we’ve all been involved in making their quilt, but it’ll still be a lovely surprise when they see it.’

It was customary for a wedding quilt to be given to any local couple of the bee members’ acquaintance, and although Aileen had quilted it, the ladies had helped to select the design and the fabrics.

‘The quilt includes a robin print fabric, prints with little artist palettes, and pretty floral designs,’ Bee told him.

‘It sounds lovely,’ said Campbell, wondering what theme the ladies would select for them. Bees probably, and flowers.

They continued to chat during the short drive down the forest road to the loch and then along to Bee’s cottage.

Campbell pulled up outside the cottage. It was late, so rather than go inside for his usual cup of tea and some cosy time together, he kissed Bee goodnight, waited to see that she got inside and waved as he drove off to the farmhouse nearby.

Getting out of his car, he looked over at his cottage in a corner of the field. He planned to make a start on the garden in the morning and add little bee solar lights.

Robin and Oliver were still at the castle discussing their plans for the wedding reception with Gaven and Walter.

Everyone had gone home from the crafting bee evening, and Gaven gestured around the function room. ‘The buffet will be set on tables along here at one side of the room. Did you discuss the menu with chef?’

‘We did, and we’re delighted with it,’ said Oliver.

Robin and Oliver had attended a few dances and parties, including the Christmas and New Year balls in the function room and were familiar with the buffet layout. This allowed some tables to be set around the large dance floor.

‘I got your list of songs that you’d like for the dancing,’ Walter told them. He had an extensive collection of music that was used for the castle’s parties and dances, from ballroom dancing to ceilidhs. ‘I have all the songs lined up ready to play.’

‘That’s wonderful,’ said Robin. ‘We weren’t sure what song to play for our first dance, but we remembered liking a few songs that Ian used to teach the ballroom dancing, so we thought one of those would be perfect for our wedding waltz.’

Oliver hadn’t been able to waltz properly, but after attending a couple of Ian’s dance lessons with Robin, he felt confident that he could dance the first waltz at their wedding reception.

‘If it’s a cold day, we’ll keep the fire lit,’ Gaven explained. ‘It looks like spring, and the forecast for your wedding day is dry and sunny, but we’re only just emerging from the winter, so we’ll make sure the function room is cosy.’

‘We can always open the patio doors to let cold air in if the dancing gets a bit wild,’ Walter added.

Robin and Oliver laughed.

‘Wild isn’t what we have on our list,’ Robin joked. ‘But it sounds like fun.’

‘You’ll be wearing your kilt,’ Gaven said to Oliver. ‘As will most of the men attending the wedding reception, so we’ll include plenty of ceilidh dances — reels and jigs, to keep things lively. These are always popular at our wedding parties.’

‘We want to thank you for helping us organise the buffet dinner and dancing,’ Oliver said to Gaven and Walter.

‘That reminds me, do you want us to set up the floral wedding arch outside on the patio for the wedding photos?’ Gaven said to them.

Robin brightened. ‘Yes, please.’

Oliver nodded. ‘We’ve hired Gare to take the wedding photos and video the ceremony at the loch and the reception at the castle.’

Gare was Fyn’s brother, and worked on the family’s farm. Slightly younger than Fyn, he’d started offering his video and photography services for local events, and the laird often hired him to film special functions. Robin and Oliver had seen Gare’s work featured on the castle’s website and liked his presentations.

Discussing other little details of the wedding function, Robin and Oliver then headed out. Oliver drove Robin down the forest road to her cottage by the loch.

‘I’m so excited about the wedding that I don’t know if I’ll sleep tonight,’ Robin said as Oliver parked the car outside the cottage garden.

‘I feel the same, even though it’s a handful of days away,’ said Oliver. ‘But working on my paintings relaxes me.’

‘Your watercolours looked lovely hung up in the craft workshop.’

‘So did your textile art.’

Oliver leaned over and kissed her goodnight. ‘Come by the shop for lunch if you’ve time tomorrow.’

Robin kissed him. ‘I will, and I’ll bring something tasty for us.’

She got out of the car and waved to him as he drove the short distance to the main street.

Before closing the cottage door, she gazed down at the loch, barely a few steps away. Moonlight shone across the calm surface, adding to the beauty of the scenery. Taking a long breath of the night air, Robin went inside and got ready for bed.

CHAPTER SIX

A pink dawn cast a glow across the sky, highlighting the beemasters’ fields. Lights shone from the windows of the farmhouse. Inside, Sean and Campbell were sitting at the kitchen table having breakfast, getting the day off to an early start with bowls of porridge topped with creamy milk, and mugs of tea.

Campbell glanced out the kitchen window, seeing the whitewashed cottage in the pink glow, picturing how he’d tackle the garden. Currently, no garden existed, so he had to start from scratch, but this appealed to his architectural streak, creating something from nothing but an idea, a sketch on paper. Perhaps this was the way to go about it, he thought.

‘Are you planning to work on your cottage garden today?’ said Sean. Campbell had been talking about his plans, intending to start the work once the snow had melted.

‘I’ll help you with the hives first, and then get stuck into the gardening.’

Sean shook his head. ‘I can manage the hives fine. You go and tackle the garden. Any plans what you’re going to do?’

‘I was just thinking of sketching a few ideas, like I do with the architectural drawings. It’ll let me have a look at the overall structure, the design. Bee says I should add wee solar lights, like the ones she has in her garden. I thought I’d order a couple of sets of those.’

‘They’ll be nice, and if Bee likes them, she’ll be happy too.’ Sean downed the remainder of his tea, lifted his mug and their empty bowls over to the sink and started to clear up the breakfast dishes.

Campbell lifted his half–finished tea through to the living room where he had his drawing desk set up in the far corner. Drawings of the new cabins he’d designed for the castle’s estate were carefully pinned to a board and covered with a large sheet of tracing paper for protection. Campbell kept all of his technical drawings in a chest of drawers by the side of his desk. When he moved from the farmhouse to live in the cottage, these would go with him. This was one of the reasons he’d added two rooms to the original cottage — one for his work, whether it was the beekeeping notes, books and other things for his beemaster tasks, and his architectural drawing desk and drawers. The second room was for Bee, so she could have her own knitting room, like the one in her aunt and uncle’s cottage, when hopefully she’d move into the cottage with him when they were married.

He took a deep breath. Sometimes his plans seemed so far in the future that they were unattainable. Then he’d have evenings like the previous night when he saw how feasible it was for Robin and Oliver to have fallen in love, become engaged and now he was going to attend their wedding in a few days. This gave him hope, and spurred him on to sketch the outline of the cottage, drawing a rough area around the perimeter, figuring out where the garden’s lawn would be, flower beds, a shed, he definitely wanted a shed of his own.

As the drawing took shape, the ideas flowed as they usually did when he designed buildings.

Sean walked in, ready to head out, buttoning up his white protective clothing. He peered at the sketch. ‘Fast work. I like it.’

‘If only the gardening work would be as fast.’

Sean grinned. ‘You’ll handle it the same as you do everything — full on. Once you get the ground work done, I’ll help you with planting the flowers, hedging and trees.’ Sean pointed to the sketch. ‘I see you’re planning to add a couple of trees to the garden.’

‘An apple tree and something else, maybe a cherry tree. Not too near the cottage. At the edges of the garden. I’ll build a seat where we can sit and have our tea and admire the flowers and the fields.’ Campbell smiled, realising he was getting ahead of himself yet again, picturing the life he longed for with Bee.

Sean patted him on the shoulder. ‘There’s nothing wrong with mapping out what you want and going for it. Look at where you are now after all the hard work, the travelling, learning about the bees, and the architecture training. It’s all coming together now, here at the village. You’ve made a fine job of restoring the cottage. That was the hardest job. Now make yourself a nice garden to set it off.’

Campbell smiled at his father, as ever offering encouragement.

Putting on his protective hood, Sean walked away to deal with the beehives.

Finishing his sketch, Campbell unclipped it from the drawing board, rolled it up, put a warm jacket on, and headed outside.

The morning air wasn’t as crisp as it had been. A sure sign that milder weather was on its way.

The pink in the sky had merged with a soft grey hue as the daylight streamed through the Scottish haar. Soon the mist would fade, lightening the sky several shades to a fresh spring blue.

Opening up the door of the farmhouse shed, Campbell picked the tools he needed to make a start on the gardening including a shovel and hoe. A thick pair of gloves were on a shelf, and he put them on. Then armed with his drawing, he walked across the field to the cottage. Heather in shades of white, purple and pink felt soft beneath his sturdy boots. The grass was sprouting again, with long strands wafting in the light breeze, and patches of wildflowers added flashes of yellow and blue to the greenery. It was times like this he wished he had Oliver’s artistic talent because he’d paint the natural beauty of the fields. And add the pretty cottage in the heart of it.

Instead, he took his phone out and snapped a picture of it. Maybe Oliver, once he’d settled from all the activity of the wedding, would paint it so he could hang it up in the cottage. A gift for Bee. She’d surely love something like this.

Oliver wasn’t having a best man at the wedding, and Robin wasn’t having bridesmaids. But Oliver wanted Campbell, Sean, Neil, Bradoch and Fyn by his side, along with Walter and Gaven. Campbell was pleased to feel part of the happy event. Robin had invited several ladies from the crafting bee to be at her side during the ceremony.

Campbell remembered that Penny and Neil’s wedding at Christmastime had started as a small, intimate affair, and then spun into quite a grand event. Oliver and Robin’s wedding had taken a similar route, though the ceremony at the side of the loch was, by all accounts, still going to be a small, romantic ceremony. Their closest friends from the village were all invited to attend the exchange of vows and rings at the loch.

This was the type of wedding Campbell pictured if he married Bee.

Campbell trudged across to the cottage, pushing his wayward thoughts aside. He put the tools down, unrolled the sketch and held it up, figuring out where to start the work.

On the other side of the field, the white beekeeping clothes his father was wearing glowed in the light. Sean raised his hand and waved to him. Campbell waved back, and then picked up the shovel and started digging the garden of his dreams.

Oliver’s new kilt hung in his wardrobe. He’d gone to Edinburgh to buy a new kilt, shirt, tie, jacket, waistcoat and other accessories to wear at his wedding. He already had a kilt that he’d worn to Penny and Neil’s wedding, and to ceilidh dances and other events at the castle, but he wanted a new outfit and had it specially made–to–measure.

The accessories included a pair of new brogues, and while the kettle boiled for a cup of breakfast tea, he put the brogues on to break them in so that they’d be comfy for dancing at the wedding.

Robin knew he’d bought a new kilt, but he’d kept it as secret as her bridal gown.

He sat on the edge of the bed and tied the shoe laces, glancing at the kilt hanging in the wardrobe. The tartan was traditional in style, and he’d decided to wear one in shades of subtle blues and greens, with a black jacket and waistcoat and a white shirt and dark blue tie.

Standing up, he felt the shoes were quite comfy, but kept them on, while wearing his usual cords, shirt and jumper in muted tones.

As the kettle came to the boil, Oliver made the tea and slices of toast and bramble jam for his breakfast.

Sitting in the kitchen, he looked out the window as the day brightened. A feeling of hope washed over him. Soon, he’d be standing at the side of the loch marrying Robin. He couldn’t wait.

Munching on a piece of toast, he picked up his mug of tea and went downstairs to the art shop, and was surprised to see Etta peering through the window. He flipped the closed sign to open and invited her in.

‘I’m sure you’re busy, Oliver,’ she said. ‘But I just wanted to say that if there’s anything you need help with — your kilt for the wedding, that sort of thing, phone me, Aileen or Sylvia and Muira over at the sweet shop, and we’ll be happy to help.’

Oliver was taken aback. ‘That’s very kind of you, Etta. I will, if I need anything.’ He showed her his brogues. ‘These are my new brogues that I’m wearing with my kilt. I’m going to wear them around the shop to break them in.’

‘That’s a great idea. And is everything fitting okay with your kilt and jacket?’

‘It is,’ Oliver confirmed. ‘I had it made–to–measure and I’m delighted with it. I’ve got my outfit hanging in my wardrobe so Robin doesn’t see it until our wedding day.’

‘Well, it sounds as if you’ve got yourself all kitted out, so I’ll let you get on with your day. I’m popping along to Aileen’s quilt shop. She wants me to see the fabrics she has in mind for the quilting workshop she’s offered to teach at the castle.’

‘Robin intends taking a workshop in textile art, but not until after the wedding. She’s already a wee bit wound up with all the preparations. Though everyone’s been so helpful.’

‘No, Robin shouldn’t even think about demonstrating her textile art at the moment,’ said Etta. ‘Her wedding day is closing in. We’re all abuzz about it.’

‘Thanks for stopping by, Etta,’ Oliver said, waving her off as she headed out and along to the quilt shop.

Aileen was putting her latest bargain bundles of pre–cut quilting weight fabric in her front window display. Etta waved to her and went inside.

‘Are those the new fabrics you were telling me about last night?’ said Etta, enticed by the fresh spring colours and lovely floral prints.

‘They are.’ Aileen put the bundles at the side of the display. Two quilts were already on show in the window.

Etta saw samples of the off–cuts on the counter where Aileen had been cutting them to size. She picked some up and admired the quality. ‘Oh these are a lovely rich cotton. You know I won’t be able to leave this shop without buying a bundle for myself.’

Aileen laughed and pointed to a bundle she’d put aside for herself. ‘I’ve plenty of fabric in my stash upstairs, but I couldn’t resist keeping these. I’m itching to make a patchwork quilt with them. I’ll probably take these samples and a few bundles to the craft workshop. Folk would like learning to quilt with lovely fabric like these prints.’

‘They certainly would,’ Etta agreed. ‘The mix of colours and prints in the bundles are perfect for quilting.’

‘Gaven said he’d see what the chatter was today when the guests start to hear about the workshops. And the response to Penny’s sewing and mending class this afternoon.’

‘Don’t tell Gaven, but I’d love to go along to Penny’s workshop,’ Etta confided.

Aileen laughed. ‘So would I. But the workshops aren’t for us. They’re for the guests.’

‘Ach, never mind. I’ll have a bee night at my cottage soon. Or maybe Penny will organise one like she did before at her cottage.’

Aileen nodded. ‘I think these workshops are going to keep us busy in more ways than one. But I love crafting, so I’m happy.’

‘The more crafting the merrier,’ Etta said, giggling.

‘Do you want a cup of tea while you’re here?’ Aileen offered.

‘Yes, and I’m keen to see the patterns and ideas you have for the quilting workshop.’

Aileen went through to the kitchen at the back of the shop and put the kettle on to boil.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Penny was in her cottage preparing everything she needed to take with her to the castle later. She’d had breakfast with Neil at his cottage, that they’d made into their home, and was now ticking off all the items she intended using for the sewing and mending workshop.

Neil was busy with his goldwork. He’d already made the gold wedding rings for Robin and Oliver. His jewellery designs were exclusive, but having a goldsmith in their village had been so handy for local couples to buy rings direct from Neil. Robin and Oliver’s rings were tucked securely in the small safe Neil kept in his cottage workshop. Neil had agreed with Oliver to be responsible for bringing the wedding rings to the ceremony.

Bee’s engagement ring had been designed and crafted by Neil for Campbell. Even Penny hadn’t seen the gorgeous diamond engagement ring. Neil kept his clients’ business private, and as gossip could so easy spoil someone’s proposal plans, Neil never told anyone about the rings. Penny preferred this. She didn’t want to let slip a secret about someone’s forthcoming engagement.

Penny packed a couple of craft storage boxes with pieces of fabric from her stash.

Sewing needles and other items that she used for her work were in her sewing basket and she intended taking it with her.

On her shelves were pretty biscuit tins and tea caddies that she liked to use for storing her selection of embroidery thread and crewel wool. She lifted a few of them down and put them in the craft storage box.

Strawberry and bramble jam jars were filled with sparkling sequins and beads that Penny used to embellish evening gowns and wedding dresses. One of the beemasters’ empty honey jars was brimming with buttons.

She looked through her stock of the products she sold and selected packs of needles that could be used by the guests, along with other items for the sewing and mending including two different sizes of darning mushrooms for knitwear repairs.

Checking the clothes rails, she picked out a vintage denim jacket, a denim skirt, a pre–loved tea dress and a jumper, folded them and put them into another storage box.

Jessy had phoned Penny to say that a few guests were set to attend the workshop and others would probably turn up once they’d read the notice. And she sent Jessy a copy of the list of hints and tips for sewing and mending from her website. Jessy intended printing out copies to be given to the guests attending the workshop.

Penny didn’t expect the first workshop to be busy, but she wanted to make sure she’d have enough sewing supplies to share with the guests.

Jessy phoned Penny again. ‘I’m printing out copies of your handy hints. Is there anything else that you think you’ll need?’

‘No, I’ve packed up plenty of things to bring with me, including a handful of clothing, but I don’t even need a rail for those.’

‘Some of the things that Gaven ordered are on their way, but won’t be delivered until tomorrow or in a few days,’ Jessy explained.

‘That’s fine. I’ll mainly be showing them how to do visible mending techniques and I’ve packed plenty of items for this.’

‘Guests have been popping back and forth from their rooms showing me what they intend bringing with them to practise with you.’

‘Really?’ Penny sounded surprised.

‘Yes, so be prepared to be a wee bit busier than you imagine.’

‘I’ll make sure I’m there in plenty of time to set things up,’ Penny assured Jessy.

‘Walter is setting up the three sewing machines we use for our bee nights,’ said Jessy. ‘The craft room is looking lovely. And the new sewing machines are due to arrive soon.’

‘Jessy!’ Walter called to her. ‘Can you come and see that the sewing machines are set up right.’

‘I’ll have to go and help Walter,’ Jessy said to Penny. ‘See you this afternoon.’

Penny smiled to herself, and then began to carry the storage boxes out to her car ready for when she drove up to the castle.

Mid–morning sunlight glinted off the loch and it seemed as if more flowers had bloomed overnight in her garden. Primroses had popped up and there was a lovely scent of spring flowers in the air.

If the weather stayed like this, the glass doors of the craft room would probably remain open during the workshop. The flowers in the castle gardens were lovely. It would help with the creative atmosphere of the afternoon, especially as some of the mending techniques included embroidering flowers. Penny had patterns she was taking with her. Easy but effective techniques was what she had in mind to show the guests, and hopefully encourage them to try their hand at the sewing and mending.

Cutting back the wildness from around his cottage, Campbell saw that there had been an original garden years ago. Sean had moved to the farmhouse and acquired the fields in the past three years, and the cottage garden dated further back than that, so even Sean wouldn’t have seen what it looked like in its former glory.

As a beemaster, Campbell had extensive knowledge of plants and flowers. He planned to have some of his favourites in the garden — cornflowers, lilies, freesias, jasmine and roses. Night scented stock with their lovely scent in the evenings would be planted near the cottage so that the fragrance could be enjoyed.

Unrolling his drawing, he studied where he’d sketched the lawn, and smiled when he saw that this was where the original lawn had been, along with flower beds that were a close match with his plan.

Campbell rolled up the drawing and put it aside. A little robin perched on a nearby branch and happily watched Campbell continue to tame the garden.

Aileen and Etta finished their tea and discussed the new range of fabrics in the quilt shop.

Aileen lifted down a bolt of fabric from a shelf. ‘This is one of the latest backing fabrics.’ She sold extra wide cotton fabric that was used as quilt backings.

Etta admired the design. ‘I love the mix of flowers with little strawberries and cherries.’

Aileen showed her another print. ‘I like the bees and butterflies with the flowers in this fabric. It has a vintage quality to it.’

‘Oh, it’s lovely.’

‘There are fat quarter pieces of these fabrics in the pre–cut bundle you picked.’

‘I’ll use them to make quilted tea cosies,’ said Etta. Knitting was Etta’s main craft and her knitted tea cosies were popular, but she sold small quilted items on her website too.

Aileen then showed Etta the patterns she planned to use for the quilting workshop. ‘I’ve got lots of ideas for what to teach, but I’ll start by showing them how to make hexies — the English paper piecing method, from cutting the fabric, hand–stitching them, and then piecing them together to create a quilt.’

The small fabric hexagons were made individually. Fabric was folded around a hexagon–shaped piece of paper, thread basted with stitches to hold the shape in place, and then the hexies were sewn together before the papers were finally removed.

‘Hexies are easy and fun to make.’

Aileen nodded. ‘I’ll use a mix prints with solid colours. And show them that the hexies can be made from scraps of fabric. I’ve looked out plenty of pre–cut hexie papers to take to the workshop.’

‘A quilt workshop is sure to be popular,’ said Etta.

While they were chatting, Rose phoned Aileen. ‘I’ve looked through my stock and I have two sets of quilted seat cushions.’

‘I plan to make a set later,’ said Aileen. ‘But I won’t have them made in time for the workshop this afternoon.’

‘It’s okay,’ said Rose. ‘I have so many items stashed away and these sets will be enough for today. I’m going to drop them off at Penny’s cottage.’

Rose packed the seat cushions into her handmade quilted tote bags, put her coat on and walked the short distance down to Penny’s cottage by the loch. Rose enjoyed the stroll along the side of the loch, and admired the flowers and scenery.

Penny was carrying another box of crafting items out to her car. She saw Rose approach.

‘I brought the seat cushions.’ Rose added them to the boot. She kept them in the tote bags.

‘I’ll bring your bags back later, but they’ll be handy to show the guests examples of quilted bags they could make. Maybe a quilted tote could be taught at a later workshop. These bags have appliqué and that could be part of the lesson.’

Rose nodded. ‘Aileen’s first quilting workshop be will in an evening, but I could teach quilting in a morning or afternoon. How to make a quilted tote bag.’

Penny agreed. She wore a pale blue cotton shirt, and grey jeans she’d mended with colourful embroidery stitching — a perfect example of her visible mending. She’d satin stitched small flowers on the jeans, and created colourful patches stitched with embroidery thread.

The thread was stitched across the tears and then another colour was woven through the straight stitches. She’d used two strands of variegated cobalt blue embroidery thread along with two strands of a hot pink colour. The embroidery patches were a prime example of how to jazz up rips on the legs of a pair of jeans.

The collar and cuffs of her shirt had become worn and she’d mended them with lots of tiny seed stitches, sewn with various colours of embroidery thread.

Over her shirt she wore a white cardigan. She’d darned the cardigan with crewel wool to mend the holes on the sleeves using Scotch darning. For this method she used a wooden darning mushroom and stitched contrasting colours of crewel wool across the worn elbows to repair the holes.

Her clothes, although repaired, had an artistically enhanced quality to them, something she wanted to show at the workshop.

‘Come and see what I’ve found in one of the other storerooms,’ Walter called to Jessy.

She’d finished booking in a couple of guests at reception and hurried to see what it was.

Walter led her along a corridor and opened the door. ‘I was rummaging around for more chairs, and came across this.’ He grinned as he presented his find — an old–fashioned wardrobe.

‘It’s in excellent condition,’ said Jessy.

‘I thought it would be handy for the craft room. Lots of shelves and dookits for storing things. These shelves were for folded jumpers and things like that. And folk used to keep their hats in these compartments, and shoes down here. There’s a ton of room in it.’

‘Have you shown it to Gaven?’

‘He’s on his way down from his turret,’ said Walter.

‘It’ll be heavy to move.’

‘Me and a couple of the staff shifted it from one of the rooms to store it here ages ago. We could move it through to the craft room, nae bother.’

‘I’ll give you a hand.’ Gaven’s voice startled them.

Leaving them to organise this, Jessy went back through to tend to the reception.

Robin mixed cerulean blue watercolour and painted a light wash over the sky area of a piece of textile art she was working on in her cottage. Pinned on the wall in front of her was a picture she’d taken of the sea at the cove one day when the sun was shining and reflecting off the surface. Long fronds of grass wafted in the sea breeze and the coastal sand dunes were scattered with flowers. A close–up photo showed bees buzzing amid the pink sea thrift, and butterflies fluttering around.

A large, rectangular piece of white cotton fabric was secured around the edges and taped to her work area. It was her intention to create an artistic impression of the scene, adding layers of watercolour paint, letting it dry, and overlaying other fabrics for texture. Finally, she’d embroider parts of it with thread and crewel wool. Robin particularly wanted to embroider the bees with the crewel wool for a soft, fluffy texture. The butterflies would be a mix of satin stitch and back stitch.

The calming beauty of the scene and the colours soothed her frayed nerves. She knew the wedding plans were in hand, but she couldn’t help feeling the butterflies of excitement fluttering through her.

Adding turquoise to the watercolour mix, she then painted the next part of the design, fading from the skyline to the sea. She finished with light greens and the white sand dunes.

Checking the time, she noted that she’d promised to go down to the main street soon to have lunch with Oliver at the art shop.

Robin started to clean her brushes and tidy up. This would give her textile art time to dry, ready for the fabric layering and embroidery work when she came back after lunch.

Walter gave the wardrobe a dusting down once they’d moved it to the craft room.

‘It’s nice and clean,’ Walter said, stepping back and admiring where they’d put it at the far end of the room.

The other staff left to get on with their work, while Gaven and Walter chatted.

Gaven noticed a selection of items on one of the tables where the sewing machines were set up.

‘The ladies left a few wee bits and pieces from the crafting bee last night,’ Walter explained. ‘A crochet scarf, two rag dolls, one of Sylvia’s needle felted robins and a felted owl.’ He frowned and looked around. ‘Where’s the bumblebee tea cosy Etta knitted?’

‘I’ve got it,’ chef spoke up, walking in. ‘Jessy wanted a teapot that fitted the cosy.’ He held up the classic white teapot. ‘The cosy fits this nicely.’ He put it down on the table beside the rag dolls and other items. ‘I need to check on the lunches.’ And off he went, hurrying out the back entrance of the craft room and along to the kitchen.

‘Jessy said these would give a crafty feeling to the room for the first workshop,’ Walter added.

Gaven nodded and looked around. ‘They do. And well done finding the wardrobe.’

Walter glanced at two of the guests peering through the glass doors. ‘We’re being watched,’ he whispered to Gaven.

The laird went over to them.

‘Sorry for being nosy,’ one of the guests apologised. ‘We just wanted a look at the new craft room. We’re coming along to Penny’s workshop.’

‘Come in,’ Gaven gestured in welcoming. ‘We’re getting everything ready for the sewing and mending workshop.’

Two excited faces admired the room, and went over to look at the framed textile art.

‘These were created by one of the ladies of our crafting bee — Robin. She’s getting married in a few days, but after she’s settled, she’ll be teaching her textile art techniques.’

CHAPTER EIGHT

Penny drove up the forest road to the castle. The early afternoon light gave a bright look to the day. Further along the road was the entrance to the castle situated in the heart of the estate.

The impressive turreted structure was highlighted against the blue sky, and as she parked outside the castle and stepped out of her car, the scent of the flowers and greenery in the air was quite invigorating.

Penny lifted two of the boxes into reception.

‘Let me give you a hand with those,’ Walter offered, taking hold of them.

‘I’ve another couple of boxes and the seat cushions in the car,’ said Penny.

Hearing Penny talking to Walter, Gaven came out of his office.

‘I’ll help you bring them in,’ Gaven said, accompanying her outside.

Gaven took charge of the boxes and bags of seat cushions, and Penny picked up her craft bag and sewing basket and followed the laird into reception and through to the craft room. It could be accessed via the hallway, or from the doors at the rear of the castle. Gaven led Penny along the hallway and put the boxes down.

‘Thank you again for doing this at such short notice, Penny,’ said Gaven.

‘I’m happy to do it.’ She glanced around. ‘The room is looking even better.’

‘Walter found the wardrobe in storage,’ Gaven told her. ‘We thought it would be handy for keeping things tidy and ready for the workshops.’

‘Yes,’ Penny agreed.

‘I’ll let you get your things sorted,’ said Gaven, leaving her to unpack her boxes and put the cushions on the chairs. Walter went with him.

‘Oh, you’ve arrived!’ Jessy said, walking in with a handful of coat hangers. ‘I was going to put these in the wardrobe.’

‘I’ll hang up the clothes I brought.’

Jessy helped her hang the denim jacket, skirt, tea dress and jumper.

‘Would you like a cup of tea before everyone arrives?’ Jessy offered.

‘Yes, please. Lunch was a blur,’ Penny confessed.

‘I’ll be back in a few minutes.’ Jessy exited out the back doors as it was the fastest way to the kitchen.

Penny put her sewing box on a table, along with the biscuit tins and tea caddies storing her embroidery thread and crewel wool, a jam jar filled with sequins and beads, packs of sewing needles, two darning mushrooms, paper patterns for embroidery and pieces of fabric.

She’d almost finished setting up her things when Jessy came back with a cup of tea and a scone with cream and jam. Jessy put the tray down on a side table out of the way of spillage.

‘Thanks, Jessy.’ Penny picked up the tea and took a sip. Then she bit into the scone.

‘I’ve left the handy hint sheets in reception,’ said Jessy. ‘I added your name and website at the top of every sheet. I’ll go and get them.’

Jessy lifted the copies she’d printed out from behind the reception desk.

‘Penny seems so well organised,’ Gaven remarked, stepping out of his office.

‘She is,’ Jessy agreed, ‘And it’s such a lovely day to begin the workshops. The light is streaming through the glass doors giving a nice view of the garden.’

Gare walked in armed with his video camera. ‘Has the workshop started yet?’

‘It starts soon,’ Gaven told him. ‘Penny has arrived. She’s in the craft room getting ready to greet the guests.’

‘I’ll go through and get some footage of Penny on her own,’ said Gare. ‘Have you told guests they’ll be included in the video?’

‘I have and they’re all happy to be part of it,’ Gaven assured him. ‘Some of them are keen to see themselves on our website, so make sure to capture everyone. There won’t be too many people to begin with. But once we start promoting the workshops we expect them to be busy.’

Jessy had a doubtful expression on her face.

‘Something wrong, Jessy?’ Gaven said to her.

‘From the number of guests that have been telling me they’re interested in the sewing and mending workshop, it could be busier than we imagine,’ said Jessy.

Gaven wasn’t fazed. ‘All the better to have it buzzing. A hive of creativity. I think I’ll use that as the title for the first post.’ He headed through to his office to make a note of it.

Jessy clasped the printouts and took them through to Penny.

Gare went with Jessy to start filming.

Penny had finished her tea and scone and was hanging up the light blue denim jacket she’d worn. She hung it alongside the other deeper blue one on the wardrobe rail.

‘Is it okay if I film you before the guests arrive?’ Gare said to Penny.

‘Yes, what would you like me to do? Should I look as if I’m working on a piece of mending?’ Penny suggested.

Gare nodded. ‘Could you stand over there so I can show the craft room in the background with everything you’ve set up on your table.’

Penny stood where Gare suggested, and he began to film a couple of minutes of her apparently sorting her embroidery thread and fabric.

‘Walk over to the wardrobe now,’ said Gare.

Jessy made sure she wasn’t in the shots as Gare filmed Penny unhooking her light denim jacket. He took close–ups of the embroidery and visible mending patches on it.

‘I’ve switched the sound recording on,’ Gare told Penny. ‘Could you explain about your sewing and mending.’

Taking a deep breath, Penny began to chat about her techniques.

‘These two vintage denim jackets are great examples of how visible mending can be used to repair tears and areas that have become worn. I’ve embroidered motifs and colourful patches on both jackets using embroidery thread. The patches were particularly easy to make. The thread was stitched across the tear and then another colour was woven through the straight stitches to make a patch. I used bold colours — red, vibrant blue and sea green for the dark denim. And pastel pink, yellow, soft greens and lilac for the lighter denim jacket.’

Gare gave Penny the thumbs up, encouraging her to continue.

‘I often add motifs sewn with satin stitch, using floral, butterfly and bee patterns. A pretty flower — rose, daisy, primrose or bluebell can be outlined on a garment and then stitched with embroidery thread. The same applies to a butterfly or a bee.’

Penny then went over to the glass doors, and stood in the light pouring in to show the colourful patches stitched with embroidery thread on her grey jeans.

‘My jeans are mended with patches sewn with various colours of embroidery thread. Visible mending makes a feature of the repair, adding a splash of fashionable colour and interest to them.’ She referred to the cuffs of her pale blue cotton shirt. ‘The cuffs and collar of my shirt were worn and I repaired them with little seed stitches to mend the frays. These tiny but colourful seed stitches are easy to sew and it’s a handy way to extend the wear of a much–loved but well–worn shirt. I’ve also sewn pieces of fabric along the edges of the cuffs to add to the design.’

Jessy started to look anxious and tapped her wrist, indicating that it was nearly time for the guests to arrive.

Penny quickly showed the mending on the elbows of her white cardigan. ‘I darned the holes on the sleeves of my cardigan with crewel wool.’

Gare finished filming, and Penny sighed. ‘Was that okay?’

‘More than okay,’ said Gare, showing Penny and Jessy what he’d filmed. ‘I’ll edit it if necessary, but I’m sure Gaven will want to put this up on the castle’s website.’

The guests started to arrive from the hallway and from outside. Within minutes, the craft room was a hive of creativity. Walter brought more chairs through from the function room, and the workshop began with a brief introduction to sewing and mending by Penny.

Several guests had brought items of clothing with them, hoping Penny would show them how to enhance them with her creative techniques.

One woman had a denim jacket with her. ‘Jessy said you’d demonstrate ways to decorate jackets. I love my denim jacket, but parts of it are looking worn.’

Penny lifted the denim jackets from the wardrobe. ‘I’ve repaired these with embroidery thread using visible mending. The patches are easy to sew.’ She began to demonstrate the technique, starting some of the stitching on the guest’s jacket, and then encouraging her to sew it herself.

Other guests looked on and tried their hand at sewing colourful patches on to garments they’d brought, including jeans, a skirt and a t–shirt.

‘I also like to embroider small motifs on to clothes,’ said Penny. ‘They’re handy for mending a tear, covering a stain or just to add a touch of flair to the garments.’ She showed them her patterns and helped them draw flowers, butterflies and bees on their clothes. ‘I like to use satin stitch as it gives a nice, smooth finish to the motifs. The stitches don’t have to be perfect.’

‘I’ve never done embroidery before,’ one of the guests said to Penny. ‘But this has put me in the mood to learn.’

‘Satin stitch is very handy to learn,’ said Penny. ‘The more you practise, obviously the better you’ll get. Other useful stitches that are easy to do are straight stitch, running stitch, back stitch and seed stitch.’ Penny showed them the repairs she’d made to the cuffs and collar of her shirt with the little seed stitches.

There was a lot of interest shown in all of these embroidery stitches, and Penny helped them practise on their garments, or on pieces of fabric she’d given them.

‘I like the colourful embroidery on your grey jeans,’ one of the guests commented.

Penny discussed the mending on the clothes she was wearing, and showed them the tea dress she’d repaired and the denim skirt.

‘I love vintage fashion,’ a guest told Penny. ‘But sometimes items need minor repairs and I’m never sure what to do to sort them. I had a look at the videos on your website that Jessy told me about, and now I’m keen to give the sewing and mending a go.’

Penny was delighted with the response she was receiving from those attending the workshop.

‘I like your handy hints worksheet,’ a guest said. ‘I plan to order things from your website, like the sewing needles and embroidery thread.’

‘Any tips on how to get started making this type of crafting into a hobby?’ said one of the ladies.

Penny tapped her sewing box. ‘Buy a pretty sewing box. Then have fun filling it with a selection of embroidery thread, crewel wool, and an assortment of sewing items. Sit your sewing box somewhere you’ll see it, to remind you of your crafting, and have easy access to it. I love mine. I keep it in the living room of my cottage and use it all the time. And I have chests of drawers that I painted cream and pale pink to store my work. My sewing box usually sits on top of one of the chest of drawers.’

Several guests sounded eager to get themselves a sewing box.

‘I like the idea of painting a chest of drawers too,’ said another guest.

‘Having your sewing handy, you’ll be more likely to feel like making something, and there’s very little set up. Everything is stored neat and tidy,’ said Penny. ‘You could also start with a large biscuit tin.’ Penny showed them her biscuit tins and tea caddie. ‘And I use jam jars to store my sequins and beads.’

‘I can’t wait to do something like this when I get home,’ a guest said. ‘It’s a great excuse for buying a big tin of biscuits or shortbread.’

‘Where do you get your fabric?’ A guest admired Penny’s fabric scraps.

‘These are from my stash, and I buy pre–cut bundles of quilting weight cotton fabric from Aileen’s quilt shop in the main street,’ said Penny. ‘The pieces are usually fat quarter size. The fabric is great for adding appliqué patches and trims to garments.’

‘I must have a wander down to the quilt shop,’ said the guest.

‘The bundles are handy because they have a mix of fabric prints and often solid colours,’ Penny explained. ‘And I keep scraps of fabric from items I’ve been working on, especially pieces of lace and velvet. Ribbons are ideal too. I’ve built up a wonderful fabric stash that I use for my sewing and mending.’

‘I noticed that you have vintage dresses for sale on your website,’ a guest remarked. ‘Are you a dress designer?’

‘I run my sewing and mending business from my cottage,’ said Penny. ‘I sell items I’ve made or repaired, including vintage designs, particularly vintage tea dresses, evening gowns and wedding dresses. I worked as a designer and pattern cutter for a fashion company for several years in the city before I moved here.’

‘My husband booked a week’s holiday here at the castle to celebrate our wedding anniversary,’ one of the guests told Penny. ‘If I ordered a pre–loved dress from your website, and maybe a few colours of embroidery thread and sewing items, could I have them delivered to the castle?’

‘Yes, I’ll drop off your order,’ Penny promised.

Others wanted their orders delivered to the castle as well.

‘I’ll bring all the orders here,’ Penny assured them.

‘I brought this jumper with me.’ A guest stepped forward to show Penny the lovely pale lilac cashmere jumper. ‘It’s my favourite, but the elbows are slightly worn. Jessy said to bring it along because your techniques work for knitwear too.’

Penny took charge of the jumper, and showed the woman the repairs she’d made to her white cardigan.

‘Oh, I see you’ve sewn colourful patches on your cardigan,’ said the woman.

Penny reached for one of the darning mushrooms and demonstrated how to put it underneath the worn area of the jumper. ‘The mushroom makes it easy to sew a patch of yarn or crewel wool across the bit that’s worn. I have crewel wool in a gorgeous violet–blue colour and lilac if you want the patch to tone in rather than stand out as a design element.’

‘What would you suggest I do with it, Penny?’ said the woman.

‘I’d use three shades of crewel wool — the violet–blue, lavender and heliotrope.’ Penny selected the colours and laid them on the jumper to show how the colours worked well. ‘Then I’d use straight stitches to create the patch.’

The woman was eager for Penny to continue.

Penny threaded a large, wide–eyed needle with the lavender crewel wool and began to add straight stitches across the worn area. Next, she threaded the heliotrope and worked the stitches across in the opposite direction. Then she threaded the violet–blue and handed the mending over to the woman, supervising her as she stitched.

Others came over to watch the darning technique.

‘I have a jumper that doesn’t have holes or wear in it.’ One of the guests showed Penny the jumper. ‘But I’ve snagged it a few times and I wondered if I should sew beads on it to disguise these.’

‘You could,’ said Penny. ‘Crystals work well too because they catch the light from the colour of the yarn and look like they match the jumper. But there’s a little tool that I use to pull the tugs through to the back of the jumper so that they’re not seen.’ Penny rummaged through her sewing box and lifted up the tool. Then she used it to pull the snags through to the inside of the jumper.

Penny continued to show the guests various techniques for sewing and mending and helped them to practise. Some were complete beginners when it came to sewing, and others had different levels of skill.

‘Remember, at home, practise your stitches,’ Penny told the guests as the workshop finished. ‘Begin with a few easy, straight stitches, running stitches and seed stitches on a scrap piece of fabric, or an old tea towel or pillowcase for practise. Use anything where you can try out the mending stitches without fussing about getting them right first time. Practise satin stitch. There are videos on my website.’

Smiles and chatter filled the craft room as the guests said they’d enjoyed the workshop and then headed through to the function room for their afternoon tea.

Penny tidied up her things, packed them away in the boxes again, and Walter helped her to carry them out to her car.

Gaven came out to talk to Penny before she left. ‘The guests enjoyed your workshop. I hope we can do another one at a later date.’

‘Yes, we’ll schedule another afternoon,’ Penny agreed. ‘And they liked Rose’s handmade quilted tote bags. I think she’d be willing to take a workshop showing them how to make the bags and decorate them with needle–turn appliqué.’

‘Thank you, Penny. I’ll speak to Rose about that,’ said Gaven.

‘I’m going to drive home and pack up the orders for the guests and bring them back to the castle,’ Penny told him. ‘I won’t be long, and I think it’ll help to keep the excitement and interest going. Some of them have ordered embroidery thread and crewel wool and sewing needles, so they’ll probably have a go at their sewing and mending later on their own.’

‘That’s wonderful,’ said Gaven.

Penny drove off down the forest road, and as she parked outside her cottage and went inside, Aileen phoned her.

‘I’ve had a flurry of orders this afternoon from various customers,’ said Aileen. ‘They all want their orders delivered to the castle. So I assume this has something to do with your workshop.’

‘I told the guests that I buy fabric from your quilt shop.’ Penny explained the details.

‘Thanks for doing that,’ said Aileen. ‘I’ve packed up fabric bundles, thread, other items they’ve bought from my haberdashery, and two sewing boxes!’

‘Yes, I showed them my sewing box and they’re keen to have a real go at crafting,’ said Penny. ‘I’m about to pack up the things they’ve ordered from me and deliver them to the castle. Do you want me to pick your parcels up and drop them off too?’

‘That would be so handy.’

‘I’ll be there soon.’

Penny then packed up her orders, and added little extras from her stash of fabric scraps, beads, crystals, sequins, lots of pretty embellishments that she thought they’d enjoy. She had plenty that she used for her work.

Then she drove down to Aileen’s quilt shop and parked outside.

‘I have all the orders packed,’ Aileen said as Penny walked in. The parcels were sitting on the shop counter, and Aileen helped carry them out to Penny’s car.

‘I’ll tell you all about the workshop later,’ said Penny. ‘But it was fun, and I’m sure they’ll love a quilting workshop from you one evening.’

‘Phone me later. I’d love to hear all about it.’

‘I’ll will,’ Penny promised, and then drove off past the loch and up to the castle.

The guests were still having their afternoon tea when Penny arrived at reception loaded with parcels.

Again, Walter and Gaven gave her a hand to carry them.

‘I have orders from Aileen as well,’ Penny explained.

‘The guests will be delighted with these,’ said Gaven, striding through to the function room.

‘Penny has brought your orders and the orders from Aileen’s quilt shop,’ Gaven announced.

The guests were indeed delighted to receive their orders and began opening them up and showing each other what they’d bought.

A few of them noticed the extras that Penny had added and thanked her.

‘I hope you enjoy your crafting,’ Penny told them, and waved as she left with Gaven and Walter.

Penny chatted to Gaven and Jessy at reception about the success of the workshop, and then drove home to relax with her own sewing and mending. And as promised, she phoned Aileen to tell her about the workshop.

CHAPTER NINE

The late afternoon sunlight gave way to an amber glow over the beemasters’ fields, highlighting the white cottage where Campbell worked in the garden.

He looked over at the farmhouse, seeing the lights on in the windows, and no sign of Sean tending to the beehives. Sean was inside now, the day’s work complete.

Campbell eased the tension from his well–worked muscles, though he was used to hard, physical tasks and relished being outdoors. The garden he’d designed around the cottage now looked like his original sketch, and he’d made enormous headway with it. A chill wind swept across the field and even though his cottage was sheltered in a corner niche, he felt the bite of it through his warm clothing. Time to call it a day, until tomorrow when he’d have another run at it, adding more plants and hedging.

Gaven was in his office at the castle when Gare phoned.

‘I’ve sent you the video of Penny’s workshop,’ said Gare.

‘That was fast work.’ Gaven accessed the video on his computer.

‘It didn’t need much editing, and it’s only a few minutes long,’ Gare explained. ‘Penny comes across well as she talks about her sewing and mending. I cut in a couple of shots of the new craft room from outside, and one of the castle, so that people will have an idea where it’s located.’

Gaven watched the video. ‘This is excellent. The colours of the artwork and quilt on the walls look bright and inviting.’

‘The lighting in the room is great for filming, so any other videos you want should be equally easy to make,’ said Gare.

‘Penny’s sewing looks lovely, and I like that you’ve included close–ups of the clothes hanging in the wardrobe,’ Gaven remarked. ‘Bee’s workshop is tomorrow morning. I know you’re usually busy at the farm but...’

‘I’ll pop along and do what I did for Penny’s video,’ said Gare. ‘It won’t take long.’

‘Thank you, Gare. ‘I’ll phone Bee once I’ve put this up on the castle’s website.’

Bee was in the main street. She’d taken her customer orders to the post office, and as she walked past the quilt shop, Aileen waved her to come in.

‘Penny’s workshop was a huge success!’ Aileen said as Bee stepped in.

‘I’m so pleased,’ said Bee.

Aileen then told her about the orders from the guests. ‘Penny mentioned my shop, and the guests placed orders for fabric bundles and other items including sewing boxes.’

‘Sewing boxes!’ Bee exclaimed.

‘I only had two left, as I don’t keep many in my haberdashery. I’ve had to order more in. Penny took my orders up to the castle along with her own parcels.’ Aileen explained the details. ‘Make sure you’ve got enough of your wee drop spindles with you tomorrow morning. Guests will probably want to buy them, and order your yarn.’

Bee hadn’t been prepared to be so busy. ‘Okay, thanks for letting me know. I’ll pack plenty in my car. And if they don’t order anything, that’s fine, but it’ll save time if I have them with me.’

‘These workshops could be a handy boost to our businesses,’ said Aileen. ‘And we’ll probably only need to take one workshop each per month.’

A call came through for Bee. ‘It’s Gaven,’ she said to Aileen.

‘Gare made a short video of Penny’s workshop,’ Gaven began. ‘I’ve put it up on the website. He’s coming along to do the same for your workshop in the morning. I thought this would give you an idea of what to say and how well it’s presented.’

‘Hang on,’ said Bee. ‘I’m in Aileen’s quilt shop.’ She turned to Aileen. ‘Could you check the new video on the castle’s website. It’s Penny’s workshop. Gare filmed it.’

Aileen pulled up the website and played the video.

‘We’re watching it now,’ Bee said to Gaven.

‘The crafting room looks wonderful,’ said Gaven.

Bee and Aileen agreed.

‘It looks so bright and cheery,’ Bee told Gaven.

‘So are you okay if we do a similar video for your workshop?’ Gaven said to Bee.

‘Yes, I’ll watch this again later and think up something interesting to say,’ Bee assured him.

‘Is Aileen still there?’ said Gaven.

‘Yes, she’s right here.’ Bee held her phone up to show Aileen standing there, listening to what he was saying.

‘The guests are overjoyed with their sewing boxes and fabric,’ Gaven told Aileen. ‘They’ve been buzzing around delighted with the workshop, what they learned, and their purchases. And thank you for adding a few things to their sewing boxes.’

‘I put in a wee pack of needles and thread, and other wee bits to help get them started,’ Aileen told Gaven.

‘Well, it was appreciated,’ said Gaven.

After the call, Bee sounded excited. ‘I’d better get back and think what I’ll say at the workshop tomorrow.’

‘You’ll do great,’ Aileen said, smiling at her.

Bee left the quilt shop and headed home, walking back along the edge of the loch. The amber glow from the fading sunlight reflected off the surface, and as she walked across to where her cottage was situated, she glanced over at the beemasters’ fields. She hadn’t seen Campbell all day, and wondered what he’d been up to. A busy day no doubt, working with Sean.

She continued on to her cottage with thoughts of what she needed to get ready for the morning workshop.

Unlocking the door she went inside, lit the fire, and then began to pack the things she needed, keeping in mind what Aileen had said about taking extra spindles with her.

Checking her stock, she was pleased to see that she had plenty of drop spindles. The small wooden spindles were easy to pack. Then she packed plenty of wool fibres in a variety of colours that the guests could use to spin the yarn.

Aileen had mentioned that Jessy printed out a handy hint sheet for the guests, so Bee sent a copy of her handy hints and tips from her website to Jessy.

Knitting wasn’t scheduled to be part of the workshop, but Bee thought that she’d take sets of knitting needles, yarn and patterns with her, and packed them up too.

She put everything on top of her work table ready to pick up in the morning.

Jessy phoned to confirm she’d received the handy hints list.

‘I’ll print out the sheets, include your name and website at the top, and have them ready for the workshop,’ said Jessy.

‘Aileen said that Penny’s sewing and mending went well. And Gaven phoned me. He seems happy with the video. I’m going to watch it again and think about what I’ll say about hand–spinning the yarn.’

‘Tell them the things that you explain in your videos,’ Jessy advised her. ‘The guests have already been enquiring about your workshop. They’re keen to have a go at spinning their own yarn.’

‘I’m pleased they’re interested, and I’ll bring plenty of spindles and yarn fibres that they can use.’

‘Gaven’s had guests enquiring about watercolour art workshops from Oliver, and pottery painting and ceramics were mentioned.’

‘It all sounds great,’ said Bee.

‘We’ll see you in the morning, and Gaven says you’re welcome to have breakfast at the castle so you’re not having to rush to get here and set things up,’ said Jessy.

‘Thanks, I’ll do that, Jessy.’

After the call, Bee watched Penny’s video again, and then a couple of her own videos, deciding how to present her workshop.

With lots of ideas in mind, she cooked an easy dinner, a warming stew and a thick–cut slice of bread and ate it in the kitchen.

As she cleared away the dishes, Campbell phoned.

‘Are you all set for your workshop in the morning?’ said Campbell. ‘I thought you’d be busy getting ready or I would’ve come over.’

She smiled, hearing his voice. ‘I’ve packed what I need.’ She told him about the calls from Jessy and Gaven. ‘And Penny’s workshop is on the website.’

‘I’ll take a look,’ said Campbell.

‘I’m going to relax with my knitting for a wee while and then have an early night.’

‘If you need me to help you with anything in the morning, let me know,’ Campbell offered. ‘I was working on the cottage garden today, and I plan to do the same tomorrow while helping Sean with the hives.’

‘Promise to give me a tour of it when it’s done.’

His heart ached to tell her how much he wanted her to be part of his life at the cottage. But the timing wasn’t right. ‘I promise.’

Bidding each other goodnight, Bee made herself a cup of tea and settled down by the fireside to relax with her knitting.

Listening to the homely sounds of the fire crackling she worked on a light blue lace weight shawl, finishing the intricate pattern.

She’d laid out the clothes she’d wear in the morning — a mid–length wrap skirt that she’d made herself from blue chambray fabric using her own pattern. A sky blue jumper knitted from her own hand–spun yarn. And the new shawl. The blue tones of her outfit went well together.

Knitting was her main craft, but Bee enjoyed sewing too and had made a few wrap skirts in various fabrics that were handy items in her wardrobe — comfy and stylish. The dressmaking pattern for the wrap skirt was easy to make, especially as she didn’t have to fuss with fitting darts or put a zip in. Whenever she saw fabric she liked, she’d buy it to make a skirt from the pattern. She had light cotton versions for the spring and summer, and cord and velvet designs for the winter months.

Bee planned to wear her outfit with her cream wool coat, warm boots, and a blue hat, scarf and gloves set from her own collection of knitwear patterns.

Campbell ate dinner with Sean in the farmhouse kitchen. They’d both watched Penny’s sewing and mending workshop video, and were now tucking into their home cooked fish and chips.

Campbell helped himself to another slice of bread and butter. ‘Bee’s getting ready tonight for her workshop in the morning. Her video will go up tomorrow, so we’ll get to see what it was like.’

Sean took a gulp of his tea. ‘Bee’s an expert knitter so I expect she’ll do a fine job.’

‘The spinning wheel won’t have arrived in time, but Bee says she always intended showing the guests how to use the wee spindles.’

‘The type you got yourself into a fankle with.’ Sean tried to stifle a grin.

‘Aye, well, I’m a futter when it comes to anything involving yarn — spinning it, knitting with it. I leave that to Bee. But I have to admit, it was fun giving it a go, so I’m sure the folk turning up for the workshop will enjoy it.’

Sean nodded. ‘The new craft room looks great. If they ever taught something I was interested in learning, I’d go along to it.’

‘Embroidery, quilting, crochet, needle felting?’ Campbell said lightly.

Sean smiled. ‘Eh, no, but Muira says Gaven phoned her to confirm that she’ll take a workshop in needle felting. I won’t be going to that either. But if they ever have something arty, I could be tempted.’

‘Bee says that Gaven is starting with these core craft workshops, and then at a later date, maybe introducing watercolour art, probably taught by Oliver. And there was mention of pottery painting and ceramics.’

‘I’d have a go at those. And speaking of pottery and ceramics...’ Sean thumbed behind him. ‘The ceramic kitchenware gifts I ordered for Robin and Oliver’s wedding arrived.’

Campbell noted the storage items for tea and sugar, but he was drawn to the set of four mugs that had a bee print on them. ‘I like the mugs.’

‘I’m glad, because they’re yours.’

Campbell frowned. ‘Mine?’

‘I wanted to get you a wee something for your cottage.’ Sean shrugged. ‘I thought you’d like the mugs. You and Bee can sit on the garden seat for two you’re making and enjoy a cup of tea.’

Campbell got up and went over to the mugs. He picked one up and smiled. ‘That’s a really kind thought, thanks. I’ll put these in my kitchen.’ Then he sat back down to finish his dinner.

‘You’ve done well with the garden today. A lot of hard work,’ Sean acknowledged.

‘I unearthed part of the original garden and some of it matched my sketch. I plan to add more plants and hedging tomorrow, and help you with the hives. And finish making the garden seat.’

‘Another busy bee of a day for us.’

‘I wouldn’t have it any other way,’ said Campbell.

‘Neither would I. Now finish your fish and chips. I’ve got apple crumble for afters. And maybe you’d help me wrap the wedding gifts. I’m rubbish at wrapping presents. They always look like they’ve been through the mangle.’

‘I’ll parcel them up, if there’s custard or cream to go with the crumble,’ Campbell joked.

‘I’ve got both. Want a wee drop of the two?’

Campbell nodded and smiled. ‘Deal.’

The shops in the village main street were closed to customers for the night, but the lights still shone from Oliver’s art shop, Fyn’s flower shop, Muira and Sylvia’s sweet shop, Aileen’s quilt shop and Bradoch’s bakery.

The large Christmas tree that had adorned the main street during the festive season was long gone, but instead of the street quietening down in the new year, it was aglow with activity.

It was usual for the bakery to be lit up after hours, as Bradoch often worked late into the evening baking cakes, particularly his celebratory designs that were decorated with layers of icing and fondant. Robin and Oliver’s wedding cake was on display in the cabinet but was due to be delivered to chef at the castle the following day, along with a selection of Bradoch’s small, individual iced cakes that were part of the wedding buffet. Bradoch was working on these so they were ready to be taken to the castle along with the two–tier wedding cake. He was always up early to bake the fresh bread, morning rolls and scones for his shop, but special orders like the one for the wedding were part of his work.

Across the street, Bradoch saw the lights on in the quilt shop. He’d heard about the workshop at the castle being a success and leading to extra orders, so he rightly assumed that Aileen was busy with that or restocking due to what she’d sold.

Aileen waved across to Bradoch as she put a new selection of fabric bundles in her front window. More orders had indeed come in later in the day, and had depleted her display. She often had dinner with Fyn, but he was also working late, preparing flowers for a special delivery to be picked up in the morning, and sorting the ribbons for Robin’s wedding bouquet.

Fyn sent a message to Aileen:

I’ll be finished the flowers in about half an hour. Fyn peered out the flower shop window and saw the lights were on in the quilt shop further along on the other side of the street. I see you’re still working.

Aileen replied:

I’m stopping work soon. I’ve cut plenty of new fabric bundles. Just clearing up. Want to come over for a cuppa?

Yes, I won’t be long.

A lot of us are working late tonight. I can see Muira and Sylvia busy in the sweet shop.

Fyn peered across at the art shop. Oliver’s working late in his shop. Robin is with him.

Maybe making last minute preparations for their wedding.

Probably. Okay, I’ll push on and then come over. Fyn. x.

‘I love the colours of the blue flowers in your painting,’ Robin said to Oliver, watching him add details to his large watercolour. ‘Are those delphiniums?’

‘Yes. Delphiniums, bluebells, asters and cornflowers. The customer has bought watercolours from me before, and wants lots of blue flowers to match their decor.’

‘A painting like that with those gorgeous shades of blue would look nice in our living room,’ said Robin. ‘And with blue butterflies, and a dragonfly like the ones at the loch.’

Oliver’s heart squeezed, hearing Robin refer to her cottage as their home. ‘It would. I’ll paint it.’

Robin smiled.

The sweet shop across from the art shop was filled with the delicious scent of vanilla and chocolate. Muira finished packing the order for chocolate truffles and other sweets that Sean said he’d deliver to the castle the following day when he dropped off his honey order for chef.

‘Nearly done,’ said Sylvia, cutting up the tray of Scottish tablet she’d made as part of the wedding buffet order. The bite–size squares were like a creamy fudge.

‘Will Laurie be coming to Robin and Oliver’s wedding?’ said Muira.

Sylvia shook her head. ‘No, he phoned to say that he’s got other interviews to do to promote his new album. But it’s fine. I’m happy to go with you and Sean. And I’m glad we invited Rose to come with us. She’s missing Ian. He’s steeped in rehearsals for his new dance show and won’t be back from Edinburgh for the wedding.’

Muira and Sylvia started to tidy up the sweet shop, and ate the last two squares of Scottish tablet.

Fyn waved to them as he walked by and then headed over to the quilt shop.

‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ said Aileen as Fyn walked in. ‘Would you like some buttered toast?’

‘I would. I never stopped for dinner.’

Aileen went upstairs and Fyn followed her into the kitchen.

‘Can I give you a hand?’ he offered.

‘No, it’s fine,’ she said, filling the kettle and cutting four thick slices of bread and putting them under the grill.

Fyn wore jeans and a denim shirt and sat down at the kitchen table. He ran his hands through his thick blond hair, pushing it back from his troubled brow.

‘Is something wrong?’ said Aileen.

Fyn let out a long, deep breath. ‘I’m just going to come right out and say it.’ Another deep breath. ‘With a few local couples getting married and engaged, do you think that we should, you know...think about us—’

Aileen cut–in, knowing that the topic of them getting engaged was something they’d both been skirting around since they’d started dating. They’d known each other for a while, but hadn’t been dating long. ‘We don’t need to hurry things along just because everyone else is getting engaged and married. I’m happy.’

‘You know I love you, and I have for a while.’

Aileen nodded. ‘I love you too. There’s no need to feel pressured.’ She continued to make the tea and toast.

Fyn sighed heavily. ‘It’s just that lately I’ve been working in my shop, making the flowers for wedding and bridal bouquets and...the one I’d love to make a wedding bouquet for is you.’

A wave of emotion swept over Aileen and she smiled at him. ‘One day you will.’

‘As long as the groom is me.’

‘I think I can probably agree to that,’ Aileen teased him playfully.

Fyn stood up and took her in his arms. ‘Summer is a nice time to get engaged, don’t you think?’

Aileen smiled at him. ‘I do.’

‘And those are the words I hope one day to hear from you for our special day.’ Fyn kissed her, and then they sat down to have their tea and toast and discuss their plans for Robin and Oliver’s wedding.

‘I’m taking the flowers for their reception up to the castle on the morning of their wedding,’ said Fyn. ‘Walter has the wedding arch ready to be put outside the function room on the patio for their photos. I’ll supply the flowers and entwine them around the arch. The ceremony isn’t until the early afternoon, so I’ll have time to come back down and get changed into my kilt.’

‘I’m helping the ladies get Robin dressed for her big day,’ said Aileen. ‘A few of the crafting bee ladies are doing her hair, makeup, and assisting with her wedding dress so she can step out of her cottage and walk down to the loch for the ceremony.’

‘It’ll be lovely. The perfect setting for them by the loch.’

Aileen agreed.

CHAPTER TEN

Bee had only seen the castle in the burnished glow of autumn and in the winter when the snow created a fairytale effect. But as she drove up to the castle in the morning sunlight, she saw the magnificent structure emphasised against the blue sky and tall trees that watched its back in vivid shades of green. The castle wore spring well.

Crocus were dotted around the front gardens, along with bright yellow daffodils and primroses. Snowdrops scattered themselves amid the colourful blooms, and rambling roses climbed over the archways that led to different areas of the gardens that she longed to explore. Another day. This morning she had the workshop to attend.

The castle’s turrets spiralled high into the sky, and she understood why Gaven fought to preserve the historic architecture the way it was originally designed.

Over the past hundred years or more, she pictured the people that would’ve visited it, and enjoyed the beauty and benefits the castle brought to the village. Dinner dances, ceilidhs, crafts fairs, celebratory events throughout the decades.

Now she was about to become part of the castle’s history, taking the first workshop in how to spin yarn. There was something heartening in realising this.

Parking out front, Bee stepped out of the car, taking the essentials in with her. She left the boxes of extra items in the boot, on hand if guests wanted them, but she didn’t want any of the guests to feel obliged to purchase anything. That wasn’t the purpose of the workshop. Increased sales were merely an add–on benefit.

No one was attending to the reception desk when she went in, so Bee followed the delicious aroma of the breakfasts being served in the guests’ dining room. As she approached, Jessy walked out and smiled at her.

‘There’s a table booked for you,’ Jessy said to Bee. ‘Put your things through in the craft room and then come back for chef’s special breakfast.’

‘Okay.’ Bee carried her things into the craft room and put them down on a table. Beams of sunlight shone through the glass doors, illuminating everything in a warm, welcoming glow.

Bee took her coat, knitted scarf and hat off, and shook her amber blonde hair around her shoulders.

Everything looked great. The added touches to the decor, the quilted seat cushions. The old–fashioned wardrobe shelves were filled with pre–cut bundles of fabric, skeins of colourful yarn, and other items that Gaven had acquired from the bee ladies. This helped to create a crafting atmosphere.

Bee then headed back through to the dining room. She’d no idea what chef’s special breakfast included, but the aroma was enough to tempt her.

Jessy smiled and seated Bee at a table set with white linen and silverware, and handed her a menu listing the special. ‘I hope you’ve got an appetite.’

‘I had an early dinner and an early night, so I’m a wee bit peckish,’ Bee admitted. ‘And excited about the workshop, so I think I’m up for whatever the special is.’

Before Bee had time to take in the items listed, a member of staff served up a plate of eggs, beans, a slice of Lorne square sausage, a tattie scone, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms. A pot of tea and toast was added.

‘Gaven says that the new spinning wheel will be delivered later today,’ Jessy told Bee. ‘It won’t be here in time for your workshop.’

‘That’s fine,’ Bee assured her. ‘I’m showing the guests how to spin their own yarn using the wee drop spindles.’

Jessy smiled. ‘I’ll let you know when the spinning wheel arrives. In the meantime, tuck in.’

Campbell and Sean were kitted out in their white beekeeping gear, in the field attending to the beehives. They’d started work early, and Sean was due to pick up the sweet order from Muira and Sylvia’s shop and take it up to the castle along with the jars of honey for chef.

‘I can finish up here if you want to drive up to the castle with the orders,’ Campbell called over to Sean.

‘Are you sure? I know you wanted to get on with your gardening work today.’

‘We’re almost done here. I’ll tend to the hives and then get stuck into my gardening.’

Campbell saw the smile on Sean’s face when his father lifted the protective veil on his hood.

The industrious buzz from the bees resonated in the air, becoming background noise as Campbell concentrated on finishing his work. Securing the last hive, he heard Sean’s car start up over at the farmhouse.

Campbell raised a white gauntlet–covered hand and waved to him.

Striding back over to the farmhouse when the beekeeping was done, Campbell pulled off his fencing style hood, feeling the fresh morning air blow through his hair. He took off his gauntlets and checked the time. The workshop would have started. He hoped to hear all about it when Bee came home.

Bee had to run out to her car and bring in more spindles for the guests. The workshop was busy, manageable, but busier than she’d anticipated. Before starting to demonstrate her techniques, she wanted to hand the spindles out to the guests so they could have a look at them.

Bee was excited to pass on her skills to others. This had always been important she was told when she was a wee girl growing up and learning to knit when she lived in the islands way up in the north of Scotland. Skills could so easily be lost in the mists of time, and these techniques were born from years of knowledge, so it was important that they were passed on to others to learn and enjoy.

‘These are the drop spindles you’ll be using to spin your own yarn,’ Bee began.

The guests studied the small, wooden spindles, interested to know how to use them.

‘I always thought you needed to use a spinning wheel to spin yarn,’ one of the guests said to Bee.

‘You can use a drop spindle to spin yarn as well as a spinning wheel. I learned to use spindles before I learned the spinning wheel,’ Bee explained. ‘The laird has ordered a spinning wheel for the craft room, but this morning I’m going to show you how to use a small spindle.’

A wave of excitement swept through the room.

‘I’ve brought a selection of prepared wool and fibres that you can use for spinning. I’ll show you how to create homemade yarn. The spindles don’t cost much. As they’re small, I often pop one in my craft bag. I hope you’ll enjoy using the spindles and realise how much fun it is to spin yarn.’

Bee held up one of the little spindles to show them. It looked like a wooden stick with a circular piece and hook at the top.

The guests were eager to learn and watched Bee.

‘This spindle has a top whorl. That’s the round bit at the top of the spindle. There are different types and sizes, but this is one I use for my hand spinning. You’ll notice it has a small hook at the top for looping the yarn through.’

Bee had small bundles of wool and fibres and handed them around. ‘These are the brushed fibres that you’ll use to spin into lengths of yarn.’

‘They feel so soft and fuzzy,’ one of the guests remarked.

‘That handful you’re holding is a fine, lightweight wool fibre,’ Bee told her. ‘This is what you do with it.’ Bee got ready to demonstrate the spinning. ‘Gently separate the wool fibres and make them into a single strand of yarn by attaching one end to the top hook and then use the spinning motion of the spindle to twist it.’

‘Oh, I see what you mean,’ another guest said to Bee. ‘That looks like fun.’

Bee encouraged the guests to have a go. ‘Tease the fibre gently, making sure one end is secured around the hook at the top of the spindle. Spin in a clockwise direction. Learn how to do that first, and then when you want to create a ply, spin the strands in an anti–clockwise direction. You’re using your spindle to twist the fibres to create the yarn.’

Everyone started using the spindles, smiling and laughing, and then cheering as they began to see the single strands of yarn that they’d spun.

‘I’ve made a piece!’ a guest exclaimed.

‘Keep going,’ Bee encouraged them. ‘I find that hand–spinning is relaxing, sitting down and teasing out the fibres, watching them twist around the spindle and wind into yarn.’

The room was buzzing with creativity and cheery chatter as the guests used the drop spindles and enjoyed making their own yarn. Bee ensured they tried different textures of fibres, and helped them wind up the strands they’d made to take away with them.

Guests admired some of Bee’s knitwear including the light blue lace weight shawl. During the workshop she showed them how she knitted the intricate pattern using a ball of the blue yarn she’d brought with her.

‘You knit so fast!’ one of the guests exclaimed.

‘I love the lace pattern,’ another guest chimed–in.

The guests went on to admire Bee’s sky blue jumper and her wrap skirt.

‘I knit my own jumpers, cardigans, chemise tops, hats, scarves, lots of things, but I enjoy sewing and I’ve made a few skirts like this in different fabrics,’ said Bee.

Guests were continually checking Bee’s website and ordering items.

‘Do you have any tea cosies for sale?’ a guest enquired.

‘Not at the moment, but Etta is an expert knitter and she’s a member of our local crafting bee. Etta lives in a cottage by the loch and sells tea cosies.’ Bee gave them a link to Etta’s website.

Bee continued to show them how to spin yarn, and demonstrated a few handy tips for knitting, including how to create a neat edging when knitting a scarf, and change colours of yarn when knitting stripes.

‘There are knitting videos on my website including ones showing how I spin my own yarn,’ Bee told them. ‘So you can use these to reference what you learned at the workshop.’

The guests viewed the videos on their phones.

‘You’re using your spinning wheel in this one,’ a guest commented. Others checked these out, all keen to see Bee’s techniques.

Finally, the workshop came to a close.

Jessy stepped in. ‘Tea is being served in the function room if you’d like to go through.’

The guests happily filtered out, taking the yarn they’d spun and the spindles they’d bought with them.

‘I was noseying in while you were demonstrating,’ Jessy whispered to Bee. ‘They were all doing great with their spinning. It’s put me in the notion to use my wee drop spindle again, so could I buy a bag of that lovely wool fibre?’

Bee gave Jessy a mixed bag of soft fibre in pastel pink and cream tones. ‘Take it. I’ve sold plenty.’ Along with the new blue shawl, and she’d lots of orders on her website that she needed to deliver to the castle.

‘Oh, that’s awfy kind of you.’ Jessy smiled, picked up the bag and went back through to reception.

Bee tidied everything away, surprised how fast the morning workshop had gone in.

Taking her things out to her car, Bee heard Jessy in reception chatting to Etta on the phone, but didn’t pause to chat and continued on outside.

‘The guests have ordered my Fair Isle jumpers, Aran knits and my tea cosies,’ Etta told Jessy. ‘Did Bee mention me at the workshop?’

‘She did. I overheard her,’ Jessy admitted. ‘Bee has sold a lot of her items too.’

‘The guests want the orders delivered to the castle.’ Etta sounded wound up. ‘I’m parcelling them up here like laldy. But I’m one pom pom short on a tea cosy.’

‘Hang on, Bee’s coming back in.’ Jessy waved her over. ‘Etta’s had orders from the guests. Are you doing what Penny did yesterday?’

‘What’s that?’

‘After the workshop, while the guests were having their afternoon tea, Penny drove down to her cottage, packed up the orders for the guests, picked up Aileen’s orders as well, then drove back up and delivered them before the guests had finished their tea and cake.’

Bee blinked. ‘Okay, I’ll go get my orders and then pick up Etta’s.’

Jessy was delighted to tell Etta. ‘Bee is going to collect your orders soon, after she’s picked up her own. That’ll give you time to finish your tea cosy.’

Etta sighed with relief. ‘I’ll get my pom pom maker out.’

‘Gaven is through in the function room talking to the guests about the workshop,’ Jessy told Bee. ‘It’s been a success.’

They were chatting about the workshop when Walter called into reception from outside. ‘The spinning wheel has arrived! I’m taking it round the back to put it in the craft room.’ And off he went.

Bee’s face lit up. ‘It’s arrived! I’d like a wee look at it before I go.’

Jessy nodded. ‘But come and say cheerio to the guests before you leave.’

Bee followed Jessy into the function room to find the guests telling Gaven about the things they’d learned at the workshop, clearly delighted.

‘Oh, look!’ a guest called out and gestured out the function room patio doors.

Walter was carrying the spinning wheel past the glass doors and taking it along to the craft room.

The guests got up and hurried over to peer out.

‘Walter is carrying it into the craft room,’ a guest said excitedly, and then glanced at Bee. ‘Can we see you using the spinning wheel? My holiday at the castle finishes tonight. I leave with my husband in the morning.’

‘I won’t be here either,’ another of the guests chimed–in.

Others nodded encouragement.

Gaven smiled at Bee. ‘Would you mind giving a short demonstration using the new spinning wheel?’

Bee was eager to try it. ‘Yes, I’d be happy to do this.’

All those involved decanted from the function room into the craft room.

Walter had set the spinning wheel down next to a chair.

Bee ran her hands over the beautifully crafted spinning wheel and smiled. ‘It’s great.’ Then she ran out to her car, picked up a bag of wool fibre, ran back in, sat down and proceeded to spin yarn on the new wheel.

Everyone looked on, interested to see how she did this, watching as she worked the wheel and the pedals.

The demonstration and participation extended the original workshop and then encroached on lunchtime. The guests didn’t seem to mind and chatted about joining crafting bees when they went home after their holiday breaks at the castle.

‘There’s a crafting bee in my city,’ one of the guests noted as she checked them on her phone. ‘I’m going to enquire about joining.’

‘I didn’t know you lived in the same city as me,’ another lady said to her.

‘We should join the crafting bee together,’ the first guest suggested.

The two women exchanged numbers, intending to keep in contact and join their local crafting bee nights.

Other guests checked for crafting bees near them, and many were looking forward to joining and learning various crafts.

Somewhere in all the cheery chatter, Campbell phoned Bee.

‘How did the workshop go?’ Campbell said chirpily. ‘And would you like to have lunch at the farmhouse? Sean’s made a big pot of soup.’

‘I’m still at the castle. The new spinning wheel arrived.’ Bee summarised what had happened.

‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ Campbell offered.

‘No, unless you can pack my orders, pick up Etta’s orders, and then deliver them to the castle.’

‘I can do that,’ Campbell lied.

‘I was joking,’ said Bee.

‘I’m not. I could handle the orders,’ he lied again.

‘Don’t tell fibs,’ Bee said, knowing him well. ‘Could you really pick the correct items listed from the sales on my website?’

Campbell took a deep breath. ‘Probably not. But you could guide me. Everything is in your knitting room, isn’t it? All folded or hanging on one of your rails.’

‘Yes, but—’

‘You gave me a spare key to your cottage in case you ever lost yours. I have it on my key ring.’ Campbell rattled the keys so she could hear them.

‘Okay, I’ll send you a copy of the sales. But if things go awry, promise we won’t squabble.’

‘We never squabble,’ he argued.

‘We sometimes disagree,’ she countered.

‘Are we having our first squabble?’ he teased her.

Bee laughed. ‘Phone me when you’re in the cottage. And phone Etta to tell her what’s happening. She sounded anxious about her tea cosy pom pom.’

‘I’ll call her right now.’

Bee continued demonstrating the spinning wheel, letting guests have a go at using it.

A few minutes later, Campbell called Bee back.

‘A slight change of plan,’ Campbell said, sounding happy. ‘Etta to the rescue. I’m picking up Etta, her tea cosy, complete with pom pom, her other parcels, and then driving her over to your cottage so she can pick the right items.’

‘That sounds like a better plan,’ Bee admitted.

‘Far better,’ Campbell emphasised. ‘Right, I’m heading over to Etta’s cottage now.’

Etta picked out the correct items from Bee’s knitting room stock. She checked the list that Bee had sent to Campbell. ‘That’s everything on the list. The four lace weight shawls, honeycomb and cable knit jumpers, cardigans, hats and scarves. And the extra bags of wool fibres for spinning.’

Campbell started to pack the orders using Bee’s wrapping paper and bags.

‘I’ll give you a hand to pack them,’ said Etta.

‘I appreciate your help with this.’

When everything was packed, Campbell carried them out to his car and added them to Etta’s parcels. ‘I’ll give you a lift back to your cottage,’ he said. As he locked Bee’s front door, Sean phoned him.

‘Are you coming in for your lunch? Is Bee with you?’ said Sean, stirring the big pot of soup on the stove.

‘Bee’s still at the castle. Long story. I’ll explain later, or, hang on...’ Campbell turned to Etta. ‘Are you busy right now? If I dropped you off at the farmhouse, could you explain to my dad what’s happening? I was supposed to have lunch with him. He’s made a pot of tattie soup.’

‘Drop me off at the farmhouse. I’ll explain things to Sean, and then I’ll donner back over to my cottage.’

‘I’m dropping Etta off at the farmhouse,’ Campbell told Sean. ‘She’ll tell you everything.’

‘Fine,’ said Sean. He got on well with Etta and she was friends with Muira.

‘We’re on our way right now,’ said Campbell.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Campbell arrived at the castle and brought the orders into the reception. ‘These are the items that the guests ordered from Bee and Etta,’ he said to Walter.

‘They’re all through in the craft room. Come on, I’ll give you a hand with the parcels.’

‘I’ve still got a few parcels in the car,’ said Campbell, following Walter.

‘We’ll give them these first.’

Bee smiled when she saw Campbell and Walter walk in with the parcels.

‘Thanks for bringing these up,’ she said to Campbell, and then she began to distribute them to the guests.

Campbell and Walter then brought in the rest of the orders and put them down on a table.

Walter had to get back to tending the reception, leaving Campbell to talk to Bee while the guests opened the parcels. They were all delighted with the items they’d purchased from Bee and Etta.

Campbell wore his new purple jumper and this was admired by a few of the guests.

The guests finally left to have lunch, taking their new purchases with them, and thanking Bee for extending the workshop and showing them how to use the spinning wheel.

Jessy accompanied the guests, leaving Bee and Campbell in the craft room.

‘I appreciate you helping with the orders,’ Bee reiterated. ‘I’ll phone Etta to let her know everyone loved what they’d bought.’

Etta was sitting having lunch in Sean’s kitchen when Bee phoned.

‘I’m happy they liked what they’d ordered,’ said Etta. ‘Is Campbell there with you?’

‘Yes, he is,’ said Bee.

‘Tell him I explained the situation to Sean. I’m having lunch with him at the farmhouse. The tattie soup is tasty, and we’re exchanging recipes.’

‘I’ll tell Campbell, and thanks again, Etta.’

Campbell smiled when Bee told him. He stepped close and wrapped her in his arms. ‘What do you want to do for lunch? Have something here at the castle? Go home to the cottage? Or I could drive us to the restaurant at the cove.’

‘Lunch at the cove sounds great.’

‘Let’s go.’

Campbell led Bee through reception. Walter was busy dealing with guests. They waved to him on their way out.

‘You drive your car down to the cottage,’ said Campbell. ‘Then I’ll drive us to the cove.’

‘Okay,’ Bee said, feeling excited. It seemed like a romantic lunch date, just the two of them, and would help her to unwind from the hectic morning.

‘The waves look wild, but enticing,’ said Bee as Campbell parked his car and they stepped out at the cove. A beautiful seashore close to home.

Deep turquoise blue water that lightened in the summer months, and white sand sweeping along the curve of the bay, were a triumph of nature.

Dunes fringed with long grass and sea thistles, created a coastal haven. Barely a ten minute drive from the village.

The brisk sea air refreshed her senses and although chef’s special breakfast had sustained her well, she felt her appetite for lunch pick up.

Campbell put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a loving squeeze. ‘We should come down here more often, especially as the weather is getting milder.’

Bee was up for that. A keen swimmer, the wild seas in the north of Scotland where she was brought up had instilled in her a love for the seaside.

The cove was a beautifully hidden niche that wrapped itself around the length of the coast, and there was no hint that the village, countryside, rolling hills and the loch were nearby.

A wonderful restaurant, with its turquoise and white stripe awning, nestled in the heart of it. Often called the bakery restaurant, Campbell and Sean supplied them with their Scottish honey.

Brightly painted tiny shops were tucked in beside it on the small esplanade.

Apart from the extensive sea views along the length of the coast, and out towards Scottish islands barely visible in the distant mist, the menu was delicious, offering top class lunches and ice cream.

There was a romantic quality to dining in the restaurant, so it was a favourite with couples or lovers of the sea. Bee considered she was both, as was Campbell, so he’d picked the perfect lunch date for them.

Lights shone from inside the restaurant. A few people were having lunch. Not too busy, Campbell assessed. A table seat at the window was available.

‘Hungry?’ Campbell said to her.

‘I am now.’ She breathed in the sea air, feeling the mix of relaxation and energy it stirred in her.

With his arm still around her shoulders, they walked over to the restaurant and read the day’s special lunch menu displayed at the side of the doorway.

Campbell escorted Bee into the restaurant and they were shown to a table at the window, receiving a warm welcome from the owners.

Bee and Campbell ordered the restaurant’s salmon that was wrapped in puff pastry and flavoured with honey and lemon, along with a crisp green salad and potatoes with bramble sauce.

Bee felt herself unwind as she enjoyed the delicious lunch sitting opposite Campbell, chatting and taking in the sea view from the window.

‘The sea looks so tempting,’ Bee said, sighing. ‘But it’ll be brisk.’

‘We’ll enjoy swimming when it’s a wee bit milder,’ said Campbell. ‘You can teach me to be a faster swimmer.’

‘You’re fast enough,’ she said.

‘Nowhere near your pace.’

Bee shrugged and cut into her puff pastry. ‘I was raised to swim in the Scottish sea. But a few trips with me to the cove and I’m sure you’ll soon match me.’

Campbell’s sexy smile warmed her heart. ‘That sounds great.’

Bee gazed out again at the seascape and the white sand stretching along the curve of the bay. ‘If I’d been raised in the village, I’d never have travelled far. This is such a wonderful place to live. And there’s always something going on socially.’ She took a sip of her tea. ‘That reminds me, Rose says that Ian is inviting a party of us to see his dance show in Edinburgh. When she organises it, do you want to go?’

‘I’d love to go,’ Campbell confirmed. ‘When is it?’

‘Not for a wee while yet. Ian is still in rehearsals. Rose is trying to narrow down a few dates. The crafting bee ladies are all going. Ian will make a group booking for our seats in the theatre.’

‘A night out in Edinburgh,’ Campbell exclaimed. ‘I’m up for that. Another fun event. There really is a lot going on in this wee community.’

Bee nodded. ‘It’s Robin and Oliver’s wedding tomorrow.’

‘I’ve got my kilt hanging up, and so has Sean,’ Campbell confirmed.

‘I promised to help Robin get ready on her wedding day. A few of the crafting bee ladies are popping over to Robin’s cottage to help with everything.’

‘I’ll meet you at the loch in time for the ceremony,’ said Campbell. ‘Then I’ll drive us up to the castle for the function. It’s handy to have such a beautiful castle for weddings and special events.’

‘Gaven and his staff are so used to handling wedding receptions that they’ve taken the burden of this from Robin and Oliver. Aileen says that Fyn is handling the flowers, everything from the bridal bouquet to the wedding arch.’

‘I was speaking to Neil recently. He said he’d made their wedding rings.’ Campbell almost let slip that the goldsmith had designed Bee’s engagement ring. He quickly changed the subject. ‘Do you want pudding? Ice cream?’

‘We’re at the seaside, so...’ Bee checked the menu. ‘They have a tempting selection of flavours.’

‘I’ll have vanilla with chocolate sauce,’ he said.

‘Strawberry and cream.’

Campbell ordered the ice cream, and they continued to chat while finishing their lunch.

Emerging from the restaurant, they went for a walk along the shore. The breeze whipped through Bee’s hair and she relished the exhilaration of the sea breeze.

Sunlight glinted off the turquoise sea and they walked a fair distance before turning around and heading back to the hub of the cove where the car was parked.

‘Are you in a hurry to get back to work on the beehives?’ she said to him.

Campbell frowned. ‘No, why?’

‘I’d love to go exploring up to the dunes.’

Smiling at her, they headed to the sand dunes where the long grass created a border of natural beauty along the shore.

On the way back, they playfully raced each other and the sound of their laughter filtered through the fresh sea air.

By the time they finally got back to the car, a burnished late afternoon glow arched across the vast sky.

Bee gazed up at it and smiled at Campbell before they got into the car. ‘It’s been a full day. But I’ve had fun!’

‘So have I,’ he said, and then he drove them away from the cove.

Oliver put the closed sign up on the door of his art shop and wondered what to do. Three choices. Make dinner even though he was already full of nervous excitement because he was getting married the next day. Message Robin, again, telling her how much he was looking forward to their wedding. Paint.

Art won.

He taped a large, fresh sheet of cold–pressed watercolour paper to the board on his worktable and began with a light wash of cobalt blue to create the sky, fading down to where he painted the grey–blue surface of the loch. A once in a lifetime experience, painting the scene where he was due to marry Robin...

Robin had opted to spend the evening relaxing in her cottage, on her own, even though there were plenty of offers from the ladies of the crafting bee to pop over and keep her company.

She planned to unwind after checking that she had everything ready for the next day. Penny was bringing her wedding dress over in the morning. But Robin’s shoes and other accessories were laid out, and the diamante clasps for her hair glittered as they sat on top of the drawers.

A cheese toastie was an easy and tasty dinner, and then she sat down with a cup of tea by the fire, watching the flames flicker in the hearth, thinking about the wedding, Oliver, and the new life they were due to begin together at the cottage.

Outside the living room’s front window was a view of the loch. Unlike Robin, it looked calm.

A message came through on her phone, and she instantly assumed it would be from Oliver as he’d been doing this intermittently throughout the day, though the messages had stopped around teatime.

The message wasn’t from Oliver. It was Penny:

Are you doing okay?

Fine, but a wee bit overexcited.

I’ll come over in plenty of time tomorrow to help you get ready, so will the others.

I truly appreciate it.

Other messages started to overlap as a few ladies from the crafting bee checked that Robin was okay, and she replied to each one. By the time she was finished, the evening had gone in amid the flurry of cheery messages. It was almost time for that early night she’d promised herself. Wandering through to the kitchen she put the kettle on to make a cup of hot chocolate, Etta’s suggestion.

While it boiled, she checked that the pile of wedding gifts were set up on display on a table in the living room where they could be viewed tomorrow. All the thank you cards had been given.

And the view of the loch, shimmering in the nightglow, caught her attention. Not long now until she was standing there in the afternoon exchanging vows with Oliver. She wondered what he was doing tonight.

Oliver went upstairs after finishing the watercolour of the loch. It was taped to the art board drying overnight. He planned to frame it in the morning, giving him something to occupy his time while he waited until the afternoon ceremony. Though he wasn’t opening the art shop all day.

He took off his brogues, now well worn in, and padded around in his thick wool socks.

The view from his front window upstairs overlooked the main street and beyond it the loch shimmered in the evening light.

A mix of anxious anticipation and jumping for joy happiness created a potent cocktail of emotions. The sensible thing would be to have an early night, but he knew he was too hyped–up to sleep.

So, after making himself a mug of tea, he settled down on the sofa in front of the fire and worked on his book illustrations. Despite being busy with his shop and preparations for the wedding, Oliver had made excellent progress with his latest book. He was due to draw a chapter about the little butterfly, bee and dragonfly creatures going on an adventure in a deep, dark, mysterious forest and getting themselves lost. Like his characters in the book, Oliver became lost in his illustrative artwork in the depths of the forest.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Excited chatter filtered out the front door of Robin’s cottage on the day of her wedding.

Several of the crafting bee ladies had arrived to help Robin get ready, and there was a flurry of activity as they hurried in and out, taking charge of the numerous but well organised tasks that needed to be done.

Aileen had pinned Robin’s hair back temporarily while Sylvia carefully applied the bride’s makeup. Sylvia had brought her makeup case with her and it was loaded with a lovely selection of eye makeup, foundation, blusher and lipstick.

‘This is a soft rose pink lipstick,’ said Sylvia, showing Robin the colour. ‘Very flattering with your pale cream complexion.’ Sylvia applied it and then stood back. ‘What do you think?’

Robin gazed at herself in the mirror, pleasantly surprised how much she liked it. ‘Oh, yes, it’s a pretty rose pink with just a hint of gloss.’

Sylvia had applied a light foundation, and now she used a large brush to sweep Robin’s cheeks with blush. ‘The shade of the blusher tones in with the lipstick,’ said Sylvia. ‘It creates the whole dewy spring bridal look.’

Robin nodded and smiled. ‘Give me a note of the colours. I’d like to buy myself these for days when I need a makeup boost. My current lipstick is more neutral and I rarely wear blusher.’

Sylvia put the cosmetics down on the dressing table. ‘Keep them. They really suit you.’

‘No, I couldn’t take your makeup, Sylvia.’

Opening another compartment of her case, Sylvia showed Robin how much makeup she had. ‘I can’t resist the latest products.’ Lipsticks galore, eye shadow, mascara, foundation and blusher were neatly packed into every nook. ‘Take this large, soft makeup brush too. It’s great for applying blusher.’

Robin reached up from where she was sitting and gave Sylvia’s arm a squeeze. ‘Thank you, Sylvia.’

‘It’ll give me an excuse to buy a new one,’ Sylvia said with a giggle. ‘I enjoy browsing online for cosmetics and beauty products.’

‘Sylvia’s like me with my fabric stash,’ Muira chipped–in.

Aileen showed them the rich ruby red lipstick she was wearing. ‘Sylvia gave me this when I needed a special look for my first proper dinner date with Fyn. I wear it for when I’m going out, to dances at the castle, or today for the wedding. It’s become my favourite colour and Fyn says it tastes nice.’

The women within earshot laughed and smiled at Aileen, causing her cheeks to flush.

Aileen tried to rewind what she’d let slip. ‘What I mean is—’

‘It matches your natural blusher,’ Etta said, teasing her.

A ripple of laughter mixed with the chatter as the ladies continued to buzz around Robin.

‘I’ll put the kettle on for a cup of tea,’ said Rose. ‘Before Robin puts on her wedding dress.’

Penny agreed. ‘We don’t want any spillage disasters. But we could all do with a cuppa.’

‘I’ll give you a hand to set the cups up,’ Muira offered, and went through to the kitchen with Rose.

The ladies had worn variations of tea dresses, some vintage, and a lot of them purchased from Penny’s bargain buys. Many of the fabric prints were floral designs, some ditsy, others with bolder prints. Although Robin wasn’t having bridesmaids, the ladies looked like they’d dressed in a classic tea dress theme for the wedding.

Fyn had delivered the flowers to the castle’s function room. He was now back in the main street, dressed in his kilt and carrying a tray of heather sprigs. Fyn had made one for the groom’s buttonhole on his kilt jacket and the remainder were for the other men attending the ceremony.

He’d closed his flower shop to customers, and had added white roses and ribbons to Oliver’s car that was parked outside the art shop. Oliver planned to drive up to the loch for the ceremony and then drive Robin to the castle.

Oliver was dressed in his kilt, jacket, sporran, shirt and tie, waistcoat, knee–length wool socks with tartan flashes tucked into the folds, and his brogues. He hid his nervous excitement behind a cheery smile as he stepped out of the art shop and locked the door.

‘All set to go?’ Fyn handed Oliver a sprig and helped him to pin it on the lapel of his jacket. Fyn was already wearing his.

‘I am,’ said Oliver. He looked up at the bright blue sky. ‘It’s a fine afternoon.’

‘I drove by the loch earlier and it’s putting on a nice spring show for your big day,’ Fyn told him. ‘And everything is set for your reception at the castle. Walter put the white wedding arch outside the function room and I’ve added the flowers to it. Perfect for your photos.’

‘Thank you, Fyn, for helping with everything.’ Oliver glanced at his car. ‘My car is looking lovely.’

Fyn smiled and checked the time. ‘We’d better get going. I’ll see you up at the loch.’

Oliver nodded and got into his car. The scent of the roses from the display in the back window was lovely. He drove off, and in a couple of minutes he’d parked the car and stood at the edge of the loch waiting for Robin.

He was bolstered by the encouraging smiles and thumbs up from a few of the men that were there including Neil and Sean.

Penny and Etta helped Robin step into her wedding dress, and the others gasped when they saw how gorgeous the dress looked with the crystals on the bodice and the whitework embroidery matching the roses in her bouquet.

Taking a deep breath, Robin picked up her bouquet and walked to the front door of the cottage. She could see Oliver standing at the edge of the loch waiting for her. All the guests invited to the ceremony had arrived, including Gaven. He’d driven down from the castle with Jessy and Walter.

The men were kilted, and Robin’s heart soared seeing Oliver wearing his new kilted attire and looking so handsome standing there by the loch.

The afternoon sunlight glinted off the surface of the loch, and the flowers growing around the edges had increased their blooms. The bright colours of the spring crocus, daffodils and other flora added splashes of white, yellow, lilac and blue to the scenic beauty.

The diamante clasps in Robin’s hair sparkled in the sunlight as she walked down to the loch. The scent of the fresh spring air created the perfect romantic atmosphere.

Oliver glanced round to watch Robin arrive. She smiled at him as she approached, melting his heart. She looked so beautiful.

Campbell stood beside Bee, Neil accompanied Penny, Fyn stood with Aileen, and Sean was there with Muira. Other guests, including Sylvia, Rose, Etta and Jessy smiled excitedly.

By the side of the loch, Robin and Oliver exchanged their vows as their friends stood watching the ceremony. After putting on the gold wedding rings that Neil had designed for them, the happy couple kissed lovingly, and a cheer erupted from everyone.

Gare filmed the whole event, and took photographs of Robin and Oliver standing beside the loch. The laird and other guests were included in many of the pictures and the video.

Robin and Oliver smiled at each other when it was time to leave. They’d had the wedding they’d dreamed of, and were now about to lead the way up to the castle for the buffet and dancing.

Bee handed the new bride the lace shawl. Robin wore it around her shoulders to travel up to the castle in Oliver’s car.

Chef and his staff had set up a delicious buffet in the castle’s function room. The fire was burning in the hearth, but the patio doors were open and the floral wedding arch awaited the bride and groom.

Oliver and Robin arrived at the castle, followed by Gaven, Jessy and Walter, and cars with the other guests. Everyone walked into the reception and then through to the function room.

Photographs were taken of Robin and Oliver standing underneath the wedding arch, and then several shots of them with a background of the castle and the gardens.

Jessy helped to advise Robin and Oliver regarding everything including the cutting of the wedding cake that was filmed by Gare. Chef had placed Bradoch’s cake on one of the buffet tables, and after the newly weds cut the first slice, chef took over the task of expertly cutting it into pieces for the guests to help themselves during the buffet feast.

‘Your wedding dress is gorgeous,’ Bee said to Robin, taking a moment to speak to her amid the flurry of excitement while Campbell was talking to Oliver.

Sylvia and Rose joined in the chatter. ‘The ceremony was so romantic down by the loch,’ said Sylvia.

‘The crystals on your dress were sparkling in the sunlight,’ Rose added.

‘Penny’s embroidery and crystal work looks lovely,’ Etta remarked, as several of the crafting bee ladies admired the intricate details on the white satin fabric. In the meleé of helping Robin get ready for the wedding, there was little time to look at the details.

‘I’m so happy with my dress,’ said Robin.

Campbell came over and stood beside Bee, listening to the cheery chatter about everything from Robin’s dress to the buffet.

Gaven ensured the guests were enjoying the buffet and kept the wedding reception on schedule. The afternoon light still lingered outside on the patio, but he knew it would soon fade and suggested that Robin and Oliver should have a few more photos taken outside while the sunlight was available.

They took Gaven’s advice, and Gare took extra pictures of them. As they beckoned other guests to join them, Campbell clasped Bee’s hand and escorted her outside where they were included in the photos.

Campbell took pictures of his own, as did other guests. He handed his phone to Sean to take photos of him with Bee.

‘I’d like to have pictures of us together the day we went to the wedding,’ Campbell whispered to Bee.

Bee smiled brightly. ‘Yes, we don’t have many photos of us together, especially when you’re wearing your kilt, which you really suit.’

Campbell gave Bee’s hand a gentle squeeze. ‘You look lovely in your dress.’

‘It’s a vintage tea dress I bought from Penny,’ said Bee. ‘Her pre–loved dresses are great.’

‘I overheard Robin and Oliver saying that they’re not going away on honeymoon,’ said Campbell.

‘That’s right. They’re doing the same thing that Penny and Neil decided to do. They’re happy to have a home honeymoon here in the village. Maybe they’ll have a few days away at a later date. But they want to relax after the wedding.’

Campbell nodded. This idea appealed to him too. Though he’d yet to propose to Bee.

‘Neil made a great job of the wedding rings,’ said Bee. ‘The style suited Robin’s engagement ring.’

‘He did. We’re fortunate to have a goldsmith like Neil in the village,’ said Campbell, keeping his own plans for Bee’s engagement ring, designed by Neil, a secret.

A few more photos were taken, and then as the sunlight turned to an amber glow, everyone came back into the function room and helped themselves to the lavish buffet.

Eventually, Walter got the music ready for Robin and Oliver’s first dance.

Gaven made an announcement. ‘Would the happy couple please take to the floor for their first dance.’

The guests applauded as Oliver led Robin on to the middle of the dance floor and began their first waltz. The ballroom dance lessons from Ian that they’d both attended recently at the castle came in handy.

Oliver held Robin in hold, remembering the box steps and techniques he’d learned from Ian.

Robin felt more confident too in her dancing, and she loved the feeling of waltzing around the floor wearing her beautiful wedding dress.

When they finished their first dance, the music continued with the next song, and Oliver waved the guests to join them in the dancing.

‘Shall we?’ Campbell said to Bee.

Bee smiled and nodded.

Clasping Campbell’s hand, he led her on to the dance floor. They waltzed around the room, and continued dancing to the next two songs before heading over to the buffet.

The buffet tables were covered with white linen and the silverware enhanced the classic theme.

The menu offered a wonderful selection of savoury pastries, Scottish salmon, cheeses, salads, vegetable and pasta dishes. Apart from the wedding cake, there were mini chocolate eclairs, cupcakes, Victoria sponge cake, chocolate truffles, and Scottish trifle.

Campbell and Bee were tempted by the savoury pastries and added salad and scoops of tomato pickle and other tasty relishes. They’d toasted the new couple with a glass of champagne, but were then having tea at the buffet.

Sean escorted Muira over to the buffet after they’d been dancing. Sean was an excellent dancer and Muira loved waltzing with him. They chatted at the buffet to Campbell and Bee, and were joined by Aileen and Fyn.

‘Gaven wants to hold more craft workshops tomorrow at the castle,’ Muira said to Campbell and Bee. ‘He’s being interviewed by one of the papers about the castle and crafting. So he wants to add more workshop videos to the website before the interview.’

‘I’m going to hold a quilting workshop tomorrow night,’ said Aileen. ‘It’s short notice, and earlier than the evening we’d planned, but the interview is the following day, so we’re all trying to organise this to help Gaven. I’ll demonstrate how to make hexies for quilting.’

‘I’ve told Gaven I’ll take a needle felting workshop tomorrow afternoon. Sylvia is going to look after the sweet shop,’ Muira explained. ‘Gaven wants different crafts to promote the workshops. We’ve had your lovely yarn spinning,’ Muira said to Bee. ‘And Penny’s sewing and mending. So I thought I’d do needle felting — how to make a wee robin or a bumblebee.’

‘That sounds great,’ said Bee.

Gaven was on the other side of the room talking to a few ladies from the crafting bee, clearly trying to organise a workshop for the morning. He checked the names he’d written in his notebook. One of the ladies agreed to take a crochet workshop. Gaven thanked her and then came over to talk to Muira and Aileen.

‘I don’t want to take up much of your time so you can enjoy the buffet and dancing,’ Gaven said, holding his notebook and pen.

‘It’s fine,’ Muira assured him, and Aileen nodded.

Gaven smiled, but kept his notes succinct. ‘I’m going to put a notice up in reception for the guests. And add it to the castle’s website news. I’ve already given a link to your quilt shop website,’ he said to Aileen. ‘But I’m not sure what to put for the needle felting.’

‘I don’t have a website for the needle felting,’ Muira told Gaven. ‘But I could put up a temporary news post on the sweet shop website saying I’m taking a workshop at the castle, and add photos of the robin and bumblebee. I’ve got lots of pictures of the things I’ve made.’

‘That would be wonderful, Muira,’ said Gaven.

Muira took out her phone and quickly scrolled through it. ‘Here’s a picture of one of the bumblebees, and this is my robin. They’re sitting in my wee crafting area in my living room.’

‘Send me a copy of them,’ Gaven said, eager to add them to the castle’s website news to promote the workshops.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The wedding dancing stepped up a few notches. The waltzing had now become lively ceilidh dancing, and Robin and Oliver were in the centre of a reel surrounded by others whirling around the dance floor.

Gaven had quickly gone through to his office, updated the castle’s website with the crafting workshop news, and put a notice at the reception desk for the guests to check the latest itinerary. He was now back in the function room dancing.

The laird was an excellent dancer and linked arms with various guests, keeping the pace lively, as did Walter and Jessy. The ceilidhs were a regular part of the castle’s entertainment. The local wedding guests often attended the ceilidh nights, particularly the ladies of the crafting bee, and were familiar with the dances.

Walter kept the music going, and as the reel finished, a jig began. Everyone remained on the dance floor, happy to dance the night away.

During a particularly lively reel, Campbell lifted Bee up and swung her around. Bee’s laughter encouraged Oliver to do the same with Robin, followed by Fyn and Aileen. Soon, even Walter had given Jessy and Etta a burl.

Muira squealed and giggled as Sean lifted her up in his strong arms and whirled her around.

From one ceilidh dance to the next, the dancing continued well into the evening, supplemented by enjoying the buffet and refreshments.

Gare filmed some of the dancing, making sure to highlight Robin and Oliver. The new couple’s smiling faces, and Robin wearing her beautiful wedding dress and Oliver in his kilt, were sure to be treasured memories. While he was filming this, the music changed and Gaven announced a rousing reel involving all the men. The ladies stood around the edges of the dance floor clapping and cheering the men on as the reel picked up pace.

Bee stood beside Robin and Penny, clapping in time to the music.

‘Go Campbell!’ Bee called to him as he whirled past.

‘Come on, Oliver!’ Robin shouted to her new husband.

‘Keep going, Neil!’ Penny said as he danced by.

In the thick of it, Gaven upped the pace, and towards the end of the song, the reel reached a wild crescendo, finally finishing with a roaring cheer from the men as they jumped up and clapped.

A few of the men ran over to the buffet for a quick refreshment before joining in the dancing again.

Campbell, all smiles, came over to Bee. ‘Are you up for a jig?’

Bee smiled brightly, and was then whisked into the dancing by Campbell.

Walter set the remaining songs to conclude the night with a couple of waltzes and then a slow dance where the lighting was dimmed to create a romantic atmosphere.

Campbell held Bee close as they slow waltzed. Nearby, Fyn waltzed with Aileen, Sean pulled Muira close, and Neil wrapped his arms around Penny.

Under the lights, the newly weds were lost in each other as they slow danced to the end of the song. Their wedding day had been perfect and they were looking forward to going home together to the cottage for the first time.

Thanking Robin and Oliver for a wonderful time, everyone started to head home. Oliver had kept to soft drinks after the first champagne toast when they’d cut the wedding cake so that he could drive Robin home. Campbell, Sean, Fyn and others had done the same, and they all filtered out into the night.

The castle’s mini bus was available to take others down to their homes in the village.

The night had a brisk but calm quality, and as the guests assembled to wave the newlyweds off, Robin threw her bouquet backwards into the air.

Amid squeals of excitement and delight, it was caught by Aileen. Fyn couldn’t have been happier. And there were less than subtle hints from their friends that they were going to be the next couple to be engaged.

Waving to everyone from their car, Oliver and Robin drove off to start their new life together.

A procession of car headlights illuminated the forest road leading down to the loch as several cars followed Oliver and Robin, peeling off to their respective houses.

Oliver parked the car outside the cottage garden and helped Robin to step out. They stood for a moment gazing at the loch. ‘I love you so much,’ Oliver murmured to her as he wrapped her in his arms.

‘I love you too, Oliver.’

Then he lifted her up and carried her to the cottage, stepped inside and closed the door.

Campbell drove with Bee to the opposite side of the loch and up the narrow road that led to her cottage and the beekeeping fields.

‘I’ll walk you to the door,’ said Campbell, accompanying Bee across the garden to the cottage. The scent of the garden in the brisk night air was a mix of flowers and greenery.

‘The garden smells gorgeous at night.’ Bee sighed, breathing it in.

‘I’m going to plant more flowers in my garden. I’ll add plenty with fragrance for you, like freesia, jasmine and night scented stock.’

‘I’d love that.’

Campbell pulled her into his embrace. ‘I had a wonderful time with you today.’

They kissed goodnight, and Campbell walked back to his car, giving Bee a wave.

Bee went inside, closing the door to another happy and eventful day.

Sean continued driving on past the loch and took Muira home to her cottage before heading to his farmhouse.

Muira’s mind was buzzing with ideas for what to take with her to the needle felting workshop the following afternoon. Instead of getting ready for bed after a full night of dancing, she began to sift through her stash of needle felting wool, picking a selection of colours. She had plenty of carded wool to take with her to share with the guests to make little robins and bumblebees.

She packed the wool colours separately, dividing what she needed for each project.

Rummaging through her crafting boxes she added felting needles in various types and sizes, and tool holders. Then she chose mats and other items.

She planned to work in the sweet shop during the morning, so she packed everything up to take with her so that she could then head up to the castle for the afternoon workshop. Sean had offered to drive her up while Sylvia continued working in the shop.

Muira looked at the little felted creatures sitting on display in her living room. Picking up ideal examples of two robins and two bees, she popped them in her craft bag along with her folder of patterns.

Putting the bags ready to pick up in the morning to take with her to the sweet shop, Muira went to bed.

Fyn kissed Aileen goodnight outside the quilt shop. ‘Your lipstick tastes nice.’

Aileen smiled to herself.

Clasping the wedding bouquet as she opened the quilt shop door, she stepped inside.

‘I had a great time with you at the wedding,’ said Aileen, standing in the glow of the shop’s display lights.

‘I’ll see you in the morning,’ Fyn said, and then as he walked over to his car, he glanced back at her. ‘You suit that type of bouquet. Something for me to keep in mind.’ Smiling at her, he drove off.

Aileen saw herself reflected in the quilt shop window for a moment before closing the door. Standing there with the wedding bouquet that Fyn had made, she felt she’d caught a glimpse of her future.

Sean rustled around the farmhouse kitchen setting up two mugs for tea while the kettle boiled.

Campbell took his jacket off and sat down, unwinding from all the dancing.

‘I enjoyed the wedding reception,’ said Sean, making their tea.

‘You were really kicking up your heels with Muira.’

‘Aye, we had a great night.’ Sean put two mugs of tea on the kitchen table and sat down opposite Campbell. ‘And you barely let go of Bee all evening.’

Campbell nodded and took a sip of his tea. ‘If it was up to me, I’d marry her tomorrow, but...’ He shrugged and shook his head. ‘I want to do things right, make the proposal special. But I’m getting there, a wee bit of planning at a time.’

‘Bide your time,’ Sean advised. ‘Sort your garden and finish everything in the cottage.’

‘I thought I’d work on the garden tomorrow, and handle the beehives.’

‘I told Muira I’d drive her up to the castle for her workshop in the afternoon, but I’ll tend to the bees in the morning,’ said Sean.

‘What type of craft is Muira doing at the workshop?’

‘Needle felting.’ Sean thumbed to the felted bumblebee sitting on the kitchen dresser. ‘She’s showing them how to make a bee or a robin.’

‘Gaven’s workshops seem to have really taken off,’ said Campbell.

‘He told me tonight that a journalist contacted him to do an interview. The castle’s had a lot of publicity recently, especially with Mullcairn mentioning it a few times on his radio show. The journalist saw the news updates on the castle’s website showing the new craft workshops. They’re doing a piece on the popularity of crafting. So they want to do a feature on him, the castle, and tie in the crafts.’

‘It’ll be excellent publicity,’ said Campbell, finishing his tea. He stood up. ‘Well, I’m off to my bed. An early start in the morning.’

Sean downed his tea, washed the mugs, turned the lights out in the kitchen and went through to his room to get a few hours sleep before the dawn.

Campbell lay in bed gazing out the window at the hundreds of stars twinkling in the night sky. He thought about Bee, planning how to propose. He got as far as thinking of picking up the engagement ring from Neil where it was kept in the goldsmith’s safe. Or maybe he should keep it there for now until the plan was set. And then the tiredness swept over him and he fell asleep.

Gaven was often the last one to finish work at night. Apart from the night porter tending the reception desk.

He headed up the spiral staircase to his turret and turned a lamp on in the living room, casting a warm glow that shone through to the bedroom. By the glow of the light, Gaven put his notebook down on the bedside table, and took off his jacket, waistcoat, shirt and tie, and then his brogues and socks.

Ideas for something special for the castle were filtering through his thoughts, but it had been a long day and a lively night, as it often was. The interest in the craft workshops was sparking. And the ceilidh dancing at the wedding had been enjoyed by everyone.

Stripped of everything he’d been wearing except his kilt, Gaven wandered over to the window and opened it for a breath of fresh air. It helped him sleep well, and cleared this thoughts.

And that’s when the idea came to him — a crafting ceilidh.

Grabbing a pen, he wrote it down in his notebook so he’d remember in the morning. 

It was only an idea, a flicker of something he wanted to sleep on.

Taking off his kilt, he put on his silk pyjama bottoms, turned the lamp off and then went to bed, wondering how he could create a special event, a crafting ceilidh at the castle.

Gaven bounded down the spiral staircase in the morning, clasping the notebook. Dressed in a classic suit, shirt and tie, he strode over to Walter at the reception desk.

‘Where’s Jessy?’ said Gaven, sounding full of enthusiasm.

‘She’s through in the craft room getting it ready for the crochet workshop. A lot of the items you ordered for the crafting arrived. She’s unpacking them.’

Smiling, Gaven headed through to talk to her.

Walter called after him. ‘There was a message from the journalist. He’ll be here tomorrow morning around ten.’

‘Great,’ Gaven called back and continued on through to the craft room.

Sunlight poured through the glass doors, illuminating the room that was already brightly lit and looking welcoming.

Jessy had added the yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, fabric bundles, felting, embroidery thread and hoops, and other items for the tapestry, papercraft and rag doll making to the room. The three new sewing machines were due to be delivered later that day.

‘Morning, Gaven,’ said Jessy. ‘Guests have seen the notice, so there will be a few turning up for the crochet workshop. They should be coming through after their breakfasts.’

‘Can I run an idea by you?’ Gaven clasped the notebook.

Jessy gave him her full attention.

‘What do you think about us having a crafting ceilidh at the castle?’

Jessy blinked. ‘It sounds great. But what would it entail?’

‘I’m not sure yet. It’s just an idea at the moment, but I wanted to run it by you as you’re part of the crafting bee. I’ll talk to Walter and chef to see what they think.’

Jessy started to nod. ‘I like the idea of a crafting ceilidh.’ She looked around the room. ‘Maybe we could have several craft experts demonstrating various things one evening — Bee showing how she spins yarn on the spinning wheel, Penny sewing and mending a vintage tea dress, Etta knitting a Fair Isle jumper, Aileen and Rose both quilting. Aileen could show patchwork quilting and Rose could demonstrate needle turn appliqué.’

Gaven was scribbling down every suggestion. ‘Then the guests could enjoy a night of ceilidh dancing in the function room. Perhaps wandering back and forth from the dancing in the function room to the craft room.’

Jessy nodded excitedly.

Before they could continue, a couple of guests peered in. ‘When does the crochet workshop start?’ one of them said.

‘Soon, have a look around.’ Jessy gestured over to the wardrobe that was packed with an enticing array of yarn, fabrics, and many of the other things from the previous workshops. And the new items that Gaven had ordered.

Robin and Oliver made breakfast together in the cottage kitchen.

She looked out the window at the bright morning, and then opened the kitchen door to see if it was warm enough for them to have breakfast outside in the back garden. There was a wrought iron table and chairs that she’d uncovered and cleaned recently after the snow had all melted. She’d already sat outside a few mornings ago sipping a cup of tea and getting some fresh air while a piece of her textile art was drying.

‘Do you want to have breakfast outside?’ said Robin.

Oliver poured two cups of tea to go with their scrambled eggs and toast. ‘Yes, it seems like a nice morning.’

He put their plates on a tray and carried it outside and sat it down on the table.

Robin lifted their tea.

They sat down, enjoying the fresh morning air as they ate their breakfast.

‘More spring flowers have bloomed,’ said Robin, looking at the primroses and crocus growing in her garden that was bordered by hedging.

Oliver tucked into his eggs and toast and nodded.

Rising up from the back garden was a grassy hillside topped by a view of the pale blue sky.

‘I think it’s going to be another nice day,’ Robin remarked.

Oliver took a drink of his tea. ‘We could go for a walk up the hill and then meander wherever the notion takes us.’

‘I’m up for that. I’ve always wanted to walk along the top of the hill since I moved here. But there’s never been time, the right opportunity or inclination. Especially if I’ve been working all day on the textile art and just want to flop down and relax rather than head up for a hike in the hills. I’m busy most mornings.’

‘This is our home honeymoon, so we have plenty of time to go for a donner and then come back for a relaxing lunch,’ said Oliver.

Robin’s smile brightened his day even more.

They ate breakfast together and then while he insisted on clearing up the dishes, she got ready, putting on cosy socks and tucking her jeans into her ankle boots. A warm jacket and bobble hat completed her ensemble.

Oliver threw a jacket on and he was ready to go.

Sylvia filled a jar with assorted toffees and put it in the front window of the sweet shop. The macaroon bars were ready to be put on display, along with the Scottish tablet she’d made that morning.

Muira served a customer with a selection of chocolates, and then helped to bag the online orders. She wore one of the pretty pink aprons made from fabric with a sweet print over her clothes. Wearing a skirt with a blouse and a cardigan she’d knitted herself, Muira was dressed ready for the workshop.

‘You’ll do great taking the workshop,’ Sylvia told her.

‘I’ve never taught anyone how to do needle felting, except for you and one or two ladies at the crafting bee. I hope those attending the workshop will like making a wee robin or a bumblebee.’

A call came through for Muira from Jessy at the castle. ‘Guests have been enquiring about your needle felting workshop. It seems to be an even split between those wanting to make a robin and others a bee.’

‘That’s handy,’ said Muira. ‘It’ll make it easier to share out the supplies of wool colours I’m bringing with me.’

‘I showed them the needle felting pictures and information you put up on the sweet shop website. But...a number of them now want you to bring sweeties with you. I’ve sent you a list of their orders.’

Muira laughed. ‘Sweeties!’

Jessy listed some off. ‘The Scottish tablet, the honey nougat, chocolate truffles, toffees, bon bons, Sylvia’s chocolate robins, and a few other sweeties.’

Sylvia overheard the conversation and hurried through to the back of the shop to check they had enough chocolate robins and nougat. ‘We’ve plenty,’ Sylvia called through to Muira.

‘I’ll bring the sweet orders with me,’ Muira promised.

‘Okay, I’ll let you get on. See you this afternoon.’ Jessy finished the call.

Sylvia and Muira smiled at each other.

‘I’d better start to bag the nougat.’ Muira checked the order list that had come through on the website.

Sylvia glanced at the list and began to wrap the chocolate robins. ‘I’ll make some more after lunch so the shop doesn’t run out of stock.’

‘I didn’t expect all these orders,’ Muira remarked, though she was happy with the sales.

‘We should’ve known. Giving people a link to the sweet shop to see your needle felting...’ Sylvia smiled and shrugged.

Muira laughed and hurried to pack the orders.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Robin took her bobble hat off, stuffed it in her jacket pocket, and let the fresh breeze blow through her hair as she walked along the top of the hill with Oliver.

‘This is great!’ She gazed at the patchwork of fields stretching far into the distance and the bright blue sky. It felt like a spring day. The first day of their married life.

She secretly kept looking at her wedding ring, a perfect pairing with her engagement ring. The gold band shone in the sunlight. She didn’t think the shine would ever wear off for her. Marrying Oliver was the best decision she’d ever made.

Oliver admired the view. ‘The scenery would make a wonderful painting.’ He aimed to paint it one day. But for now, work was put aside. The art shop was closed for a few days while he enjoyed being with Robin. And she’d put a notice on her website that she was taking a honeymoon break from her textile art.

They both loved their art, so it was unlikely that either of them would forgo lifting a pen, pencil or brush during their honeymoon for fun or to relax. But no commercial artworks would be made.

Penny looked down the hill at their cottage and the loch shimmering in the distance.

Oliver clasped her hand. ‘Let’s walk the full length of the hilltop and then head back down for lunch.’

Smiling brightly, Penny walked along with Oliver as they enjoyed venturing outdoors.

Gare had been working on his farm in the morning, so Gaven used his phone to film highlights from the crochet workshop and added them to the castle’s website.

From his office, Gaven heard the guests chatting happily about the crochet as they walked through reception to their rooms or cabins. Gaven smiled to himself. Another successful craft workshop.

Chef popped his head in the office. ‘Will we serve afternoon tea, as before, when Muira’s workshop is finished?’

‘Yes,’ Gaven confirmed. ‘Do what you did for Penny’s afternoon workshop. That went down well.’

‘Nae bother, Gaven,’ said chef. ‘I’ve made lemon cake with buttercream frosting and chocolate cupcakes for our main menu, so I’ll add those to the afternoon tea.’

‘Sounds delicious,’ said Gaven.

As chef left, Jessy came into the office. ‘The guests really liked the crochet workshop.’

‘I’m pleased to hear that. I’ve added clips of the workshop to the website.’

‘And the new sewing machines have just arrived,’ said Jessy. ‘Walter is taking them through to the craft room and exchanging them for the ones we use for our crafting bee nights in the function room.’

‘Ideal timing. I don’t think Muira needs the sewing machines for her needle felting, but I’ll make sure to include them when I film her workshop. Gare will be here this evening though to video Aileen’s quilting.’

‘It’s all go,’ said Jessy.

Gaven nodded. ‘But we won’t be having all these craft workshops, morning, afternoon and night. This is just to help promote them.’

‘Walter says he thinks the crafting ceilidh is a great idea.’

‘Yes, and I discussed it with chef, and he likes it too.’

They were talking about the ceilidh when Walter came to the door. ‘That was another message from the journalist. Or should I say, photo–journalist. He’s going to take pictures of you, the castle and the craft room during the interview. But he wants a photo of you standing beside the spinning wheel,’ Walter said to Gaven. ‘And he’d like Bee to be included, sitting spinning the yarn.’

Gaven took a deep breath. ‘I don’t want to keep interrupting Bee’s work schedule.’

‘I’ll give her a wee call,’ said Jessy.

Walter had another request from the journalist. ‘He’d like a group picture of you with Penny, Bee, and a few other ladies that are teaching the workshops.’

Gaven frowned.

‘I’ll phone round the ladies and see how many of them can pop along tomorrow morning for the photos,’ Jessy offered. ‘I’m certain most of them will want to be featured in the interview. It’ll be great for their businesses.’

‘Thank you, Jessy,’ said Gaven.

‘Does the journalist want me to look like I’m spinning the yarn?’ Bee said when Jessy called her.

‘Yes, but you don’t have to,’ Jessy explained. ‘It’s just a request for the pictures he’s taking of Gaven in the craft room.’

‘I’m happy to do this. Tell Gaven I’ll be there,’ Bee confirmed.

‘Thanks, I’m going to phone Etta and the others to invite them up for the group photo.’

Etta took the call from Jessy. ‘I’d be delighted to be in the photo. Should I bring my knitting with me?’

‘I don’t know what the journalist has planned, but I’d bring something like your Fair Isle or Aran knitting,’ said Jessy.

‘I’ve got a half–knitted Fair Isle jumper. I’ll bring that along in case I need it.’

Jessy bit her lip. ‘I’m swithering whether to call Robin. I don’t want to interrupt her honeymoon.’

‘Tricky. But it would be a shame for Robin to miss out from having her textile art business included in the feature. Maybe send her a wee message.’

‘Yes, I’ll do that.’

Finishing the call to Etta, Jessy messaged Robin, and then she continued phoning the other members of the crafting bee.

Robin and Oliver had walked to the far end of the hilltop and were admiring the view when Jessy’s message popped up on Robin’s phone.

Glancing at it, Robin saw it was from Jessy. She read it out to Oliver, unsure whether or not to accept.

‘You should go,’ Oliver said, encouraging her to take part.

‘Are you sure? It’s our honeymoon.’

‘This is a chance for you and your textile art to be part of the craft workshops in the press. We’ll both go. I’ll have a cup of tea in the restaurant while you get your photo taken. Then we can go for a walk around the castle’s estate. Make an outing of it. I’ll order one of chef’s picnic baskets.’

Robin smiled, stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him. ‘I’d love to see the bluebell wood, walk over the wee bridge in the wild garden area, and see what the waterfall looks like in the spring.’

‘We’ll do all of those,’ Oliver said chirpily, looking forward to it himself.

Aileen had a busy morning taking delivery of a range of new fabrics. She was putting the bolts of fabric on the shelves when Rose walked into the quilt shop.

‘The fabrics arrived,’ Aileen said, lifting a bolt of winter patterned fabric down and putting it on the counter ready to be cut up into handy pieces for the scrap bags she sold for crafting.

‘I remembered you said they’d be in today, and I was over at Bradoch’s bakery buying a fresh loaf, so I thought I’d take a peek.’ Rose smiled when she saw the new fabrics. ‘These are gorgeous. Perfect for spring and summer.’

Aileen pointed to a corner of the shop where several bolts of solid colours of fabric were yet to be added to the display.

‘These are the new solids I bought in,’ said Aileen. ‘All the new fabrics are quilting–weight cottons, and I cherry picked the solids to work well with the prints.’

‘You know I’m going to be spoiled for choice. I’ve had orders from customers wanting my quilted throws and other quilted items for the spring,’ Rose explained.

Aileen pulled down one of the bolts of printed fabric and unrolled it on the counter to show Rose the design.

‘That’s a yes from me.’

Aileen laughed. ‘It’s a yes from me as well. The flowers in the print are so lovely. A modern vintage quality to it. I can’t wait to quilt with it.’ She then started to measure the amount Rose wanted, and cut what she wanted for herself. Folding the fabric up, she put Rose’s order in a bag.

Rose had already selected the solids she wanted to go with it, and another two pieces of printed fabric.

They chatted while Aileen measured and cut the full order.

‘Are you all set for your quilting workshop tonight?’ Rose said while picking cotton thread from the carousel in the haberdashery part of the shop.

‘Yes, I’ve got fabric bundles and plenty of hexie papers ready to show them how to make a patchwork quilt. And I’m going to the castle tomorrow morning for the group photo with Gaven.’

‘So am I. Jessy phoned me. She said to bring some of my quilting with me.’

Aileen finished cutting the fabric and added the thread to the bag.

Rose paid for her order. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the castle. And I hope your quilting workshop goes well this evening.’

Smiling, Aileen waved Rose off and finished putting the new fabrics on the shelves and in the window display.

‘I didn’t know felt weighed so much,’ Sean remarked as he picked up Muira’s bags to put them in the car.

‘That’s the sweetie orders,’ said Muira, getting ready to leave the shop and head up to the castle.

Sean laughed. ‘Are you trying to sweeten things up in your workshop?’

‘I’ll explain on the way up,’ Muira told him, checking the time. She didn’t want to be late.

Sylvia gave her a hug. ‘Good luck with the workshop.’

‘I’ll try to be back to help tidy the shop up before closing time.’

‘No, I’ll sort everything. You enjoy the afternoon and then let Sean spoil you rotten.’ Sylvia glanced to see that Sean was busy outside at the car. ‘Maybe he’ll treat you to dinner at the castle,’ she whispered.

Muira smiled. Clearly she hadn’t thought of that perk after the workshop.

Giggling, they hugged again, and then Muira got into the car and waved as Sean drove off.

Campbell wasn’t a clock watcher by nature, and today he’d chosen not to bother with the time because he had several tasks to do, and often found that watching the clock made the time go in too quickly. Time slowed down for him when he wasn’t chasing it.

He’d started work early in the morning, tending to the bees, wearing his white beekeeping gear. When that task was done, he’d changed into rugged clothes to protect him from the jagged thorns and brittle bracken and tackled clearing the last of the winter debris from the field.

Using the colour of the sky, the pale sunlight burning away the early morning mist, the way the light changed over the landscape, and the scent of the sea that he noted drifted in from the coast when the tides changed, he worked to nature’s schedule.

The field work done, he took off the rugged gear and cast it aside to work in his cottage garden, planting flowers.

A change in the air prompted him to stop for a lunch break. He was probably the last man to have lunch in the village if the late atmosphere was anything to go by.

Campbell was now stripped down to his jeans, boots and a jumper, rummaging through his kitchen cupboards, looking for something to eat. He’d stocked his cupboards with tinned and dry foodstuffs, replicating what Sean kept as his baseline of necessities. Sean could make a meal out of next to nothing, but Campbell had never known his father to have sparse cupboards in the farmhouse kitchen.

Campbell opened a tin of Scotch broth and heated it in a pan on the stove while he made tea. Fortunately, he still had fresh milk in the fridge from the previous day, and the remnants of a loaf from Bradoch’s bakery.

Sitting down at the kitchen table with a bowl of soup, two slices of bread, and tea in one of the new bee mugs, he unwound a little and admired the colour of the kitchen cabinets — sky blue. Bee’s choice. He’d probably have opted for dark wood or stark white, but he was glad he’d offered Bee the chance to select the colour. The blue was perfect. Just like Bee.

He was still thinking about her when she phoned, jarring him out of his thoughts.

‘Gaven wants me to go to the castle tomorrow morning around ten,’ she began, and then explained the details.

‘You’ll be pictured in the press spinning your own yarn using the new spinning wheel?’ Campbell wanted to clarify, hoping this was true.

‘I will,’ she said, sounding happy. ‘I’m driving up and giving Rose and Etta a lift with me.’

‘Let me know if you need me to help,’ Campbell offered.

‘Thanks. We’re all in a flurry organising things. None of us know exactly what we have to do except pose for a picture or two. Oh, that’s Penny phoning, I have to go. Love you!’ And she was gone.

Campbell smiled and took a sip of his tea.

After having a light lunch, Robin and Oliver sat in the kitchen, relaxing after their hillwalking.

‘I’ll make us another cup of tea,’ Robin said, getting up and refilling the kettle.

‘Would you mind if I hung up a painting in the living room? It’ll only take me a few minutes.’

Robin smiled. ‘Is it the watercolour with the blue flowers and blue butterflies?’

Oliver nodded.

‘Wonderful. I’ll make the tea.’

He hurried out to his car where he had two watercolour paintings in the boot and carried them in without Robin seeing he had more than one. In a bag were his tools.

‘Don’t come through until I’ve got it properly hung so you can get the full effect,’ he called through to her.

‘Okay.’

Working like lightning, using all his experience, he hung the first painting. He’d heard the kettle clicking off and Robin starting to make the tea.

‘Remember, don’t peek,’ he said, preparing to hang the second painting on the opposite wall.

‘I won’t. I’ll just sit here and admire the lovely handmade wedding gifts we received for the kitchen.’ She relayed some of them to him while he worked. ‘Etta’s knitted tea cosy, the aprons Aileen made for us, the linen tea towels...’

Oliver worked at speed, and finished hanging the second watercolour.

‘You can peek now.’

Robin walked into the living room carrying two cups of tea and put them down on the fireside table and then looked at the floral watercolour in shades of blue.

‘It’s gorgeous. The colours of the flowers and the butterflies are perfect.’ Robin stepped over for a closer look, pointing to the dragonfly he’d added.

‘I’m pleased you like it.’ Oliver smiled, but wondered when she’d turn around and see the second painting.

‘Are you okay?’ she said.

He nodded, and that’s when Robin glanced behind her and saw the other painting.

Robin gasped when she realised what it depicted. Mesmerised, totally taken aback, she walked over to study it.

‘I painted it a couple of days ago,’ he said. ‘The day before the wedding, I didn’t know what to do with myself because I was so excited. So I painted the loch, like I have a few times, but I’d seen how it looked recently with the spring flowers starting to bloom. And then I added — us.’

Robin felt a rush of emotions as she gazed at the little couple in the foreground of the painting standing beside the loch. A bride and groom.

‘I didn’t know what your wedding dress was going to look like, but I took a guess. I thought it would be traditional. You love classic designs.’

‘Look at you wearing your kilt!’ Robin smiled as she recognised the style and colour of his kilt, jacket, everything. The watercolour technique gave an impressionist look to the little figures.

Robin threw her arms around Oliver and hugged him. ‘Thank you! This is so special.’

Sean had carried the bulk of Muira’s bags into the castle. The large bag of sweets was handed to Jessy at reception.

‘Keep the sweetie orders here until after the workshop,’ Muira said to Jessy. ‘Sticky fingers and felting don’t go well together.’

Jessy laughed and tucked the bag away. ‘I’ll keep them safe for later. The craft room is all set up if you’d like to go through. And the new sewing machines arrived.’

Smiling with excitement, Muira headed to the craft room, followed by Sean helping her to carry the craft bags.

They had the room all to themselves for a few minutes. Muira admired the new sewing machines. ‘These are ideal. And I notice a load of new products have been added to the wardrobe.’ She went over to have a look. ‘Yarn, fabric bundles, all sorts of things.’ This included small mats and other items for the needle felting.

Sean put her bags down on a table near the glass doors. ‘Can I help you unpack stuff?’

Muira was going to say no, but then she heard the chatter of people heading along the hallway. She wasn’t late. They were early, eager to participate in the needle felting.

‘Yes, put these colours of wool at that side of the table. I’ll unpack the colours for the bumblebees.’

Working in tandem, Sean helped Muira unpack most of her things, and then slipped out the back entrance without anyone seeing him.

Muira’s heart was racing. ‘Come on in,’ she said, welcoming several guests.

Some of the them had been to prior workshops, while for others this was their first time. Muira showed everyone around regardless of this because of the new things that were now in the craft room. They were interested in everything she was showing them. And in the sweet order.

‘I ordered assorted caramels from your sweet shop,’ one of the guests said to Muira. ‘Did you bring them with you? Jessy said you would.’

‘Yes, and Jessy is taking care of your sweeties at the moment,’ Muira said to the woman. ‘You’ll all be able to pick up your sweets from Jessy after the workshop. But remember, you’ve got chef’s afternoon tea when the workshop finishes.’

Delighted faces smiled at Muira.

‘Okay, I’ll start by showing you two examples of my needle felted robins and two bumblebees,’ Muira began. These were handed around for everyone to have a look at.

‘This is the felting wool you’ll be using to make one of these.’ Muira held up a sample of the yellow wool for the bees. ‘It’s nice and soft with a sort of fuzzy texture.’

The colours of wool were divided out to each of the participants.

Muira began by demonstrating how to shape the bodies of the robin and the bee, and then helped the guests to try their hand at needle felting.

Sean stood in reception talking to Walter.

‘Is there a table booking available in the restaurant?’ said Sean. ‘I’d like to take Muira for dinner after she’s finished the workshop.’

Walter checked. ‘Yes, there’s a table for two that I can book for you. Giving Muira a wee treat this evening?’

‘I thought while we were up here it would be nice to have dinner.’ Sean glanced outside. The front door was open, letting the fresh air drift in. ‘I’m going to take a wander around the estate until she’s finished. I like to see the flowers and plants that are blooming. Compare them to what’s in the fields for the bees.’

‘It’s a mild afternoon for a meander,’ said Walter.

Waving, Sean stepped outside, and decided to take the route under the rose archway and then into the fields and forest.

Gaven was busy in his office updating the castle’s website with more pictures and news about the workshops.

Jessy came to the door. ‘Muira’s workshop is in full swing if you want to come and film some highlights.’

Gaven stood up. ‘Yes, I’ve just added more information to the website.’ He picked up his phone and followed Jessy along the hallway.

‘I spoke to the guests taking part in the workshop and they’re all happy to be included in the video,’ Jessy told him.

‘Excellent.’

Jessy led the way into the craft room. ‘Gaven’s here to film for a few minutes.’

The smiles from the guests showed they were keen to take part.

‘I’ll film all of you working on your needle felting,’ said Gaven, standing at the side of the room to get everyone in view.

Muira continued instructing, moving from one person making a robin to someone else working on a bee. Gaven focussed on Muira showing them how to shape the bodies and the heads of the projects.

‘Add more of the red felting wool now to your robin,’ Muira said to one of the guests. ‘Blend it in with the light grey and the brown.’

Gaven then filmed Muira helping someone work on their bee.

‘This is an easy pattern to make a bumblebee and is great to get you started with needle felting,’ Muira said to them.

‘I’ve always wanted to have a go at needle felting,’ another guest remarked. ‘But I never knew where to start or what to do.’

‘Needle felting is fun and I’ve been doing it for years,’ said Muira. ‘My cottage has lots of wee robins, bees, owls and even fairies and toadstools on display in my living room. I recently taught my niece, Sylvia, how to needle felt. She works with me in the sweet shop, and now one of the robins she made is perched on a shelf with the sweeties.’

Gaven filmed a close–up of a robin being made, showing how the wool fibres meshed together to create the little bird shape.

Jessy kept out of the way so as not to be included, but she gestured to Muira to show the finished items she’d brought to the workshop.

Muira picked up a robin and a bee. ‘These are two of the finished items I made for myself. I stitched the robin’s eyes on using double knit yarn, but sometimes I sew beads on. I do the same for the bees and other things I make.’

Gaven nodded, encouraging Muira to continue.

Muira picked up a spool of thread. ‘When I want birds, bees or butterflies to look like they’re flying, I use a piece of invisible thread to hang them up.’

‘I like that idea,’ one of the guests remarked. ‘Could I have a piece of your invisible thread to hang up my robin when it’s finished?’

‘Yes, I’ll cut you a piece.’ Muira measured a length of the thread, cut it and gave it to the guest. A few others wanted to hang theirs up as well, so she cut enough for all of them.

Gaven indicated to Muira that he was due to wind up the video.

‘Remember, when the workshop is finished, a lovely afternoon tea is being served for you in the function room,’ Muira concluded.

Gaven smiled and clicked his phone off. ‘Thank you, everyone. This will be on the castle’s website soon. I hope you’re enjoying your needle felting workshop.’

The guests all agreed that they were having a great time, and continued with their needle felting as Gaven and Jessy left the craft room.

Gaven viewed what he’d filmed on the phone as he walked back to his office with Jessy.

‘The colours and textures look wonderful,’ said Gaven. ‘This is going to show the needle felting workshop to full advantage.’

‘I’ll let chef know that everyone is intending to have afternoon tea,’ said Jessy, walking to the kitchen as Gaven headed to his office.

The workshop continued, and then one of the guests glanced outside. ‘There’s a fine looking man walking by away over there near the trees. He waved over at us.’

Muira smiled. ‘That’s Sean.’

‘Is he your husband?’ a guest said to Muira.

‘No, Sean’s my...boyfriend.’ Muira started to blush as she said this.

‘Oooh!’ the guest said with a smile.

‘He’s a handsome one, Muira,’ another remarked, causing Muira to blush even more.

The questions continued.

‘Does he work for the laird at the castle?’

‘No, Sean and his son, Campbell, are our local beemasters.’

The guests looked impressed and chatted while they crafted.

‘Sylvia and I use their honey to make some of our sweets, including the nougat. And chef adds it to his recipes for the castle’s menus. You’ll be able to try the honey as chef includes it along with the butter, jam and cream options for the scones served at the afternoon teas.’

A few of them were keen to sample the honey.

Laughter and chatter continued to fill the craft room, and Muira helped each of them to complete the items.

Sean hadn’t intentionally walked past the craft room. It was just how the route had taken him as he headed to a part of the forest he’d never explored. The bluebell wood.

The scent was wonderful, and there was a magical quality to the atmosphere. The bluebells extended quite far into the forest and a natural path emerged that he followed.

A blue glow seemed to soften the edges of where the bluebells were flourishing, like a carpet of floral mist.

Sean snapped a few pictures to show Campbell, knowing his son’s interest in flowers and plants was even stronger than his own.

Finally checking the time, he started to walk back to the castle.

Muira’s workshop had finished by the time Sean walked into reception to find her chatting to Jessy.

‘Here’s Sean now,’ said Jessy.

Muira looked round. ‘We were thinking you’d maybe got lost in the forest,’ she teased him. ‘Walter said you’d gone for a wander.’

‘I became lost in the beauty of the bluebell wood,’ Sean said with a smile. ‘I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.’

‘No, Jessy and I were discussing the sweetie orders for the guests,’ said Muira. ‘They’re having their afternoon tea just now.’

‘I’ll hand out the orders to them later,’ said Jessy.

‘The gardens in the estate are looking lovely,’ Sean said to Muira. ‘I wondered if you’d like to go for a walk before your dinner.’

‘Yes, and it’ll help me unwind from all the excitement of the workshop before we head home,’ said Muira, thinking they’d have dinner at his farmhouse or her cottage.

‘I’ve booked a table for two in the restaurant,’ Sean told Muira.

‘Oh, that would be lovely,’ said Muira smiling at Sean.

‘I’ll grab your bags from the craft room and put them in the car,’ Sean offered. ‘And then we’ll go for a walk.’

‘Muira!’ Gaven called to her from his office. ‘Have you got a moment to look at the needle felting video?’

While Sean dealt with the bags, Muira went through to Gaven’s office to see what he planned to put up on the website.

‘Yes, this is excellent,’ Muira enthused. ‘It shows the patterns and the techniques and the guests sound happy with their needle felting.’ She paused. ‘I’ve never heard myself talk like this on a video, showing people what to do.’

‘You come across well,’ Gaven assured her.

Muira beamed with delight. ‘When are you putting it on the website.’

Gaven pressed the upload button and smiled.

As Muira left the office to join Sean, she saw him coming into reception having put the bags in the car. But before she could talk to him, chef ran by in panic mode, his hat at a tilt.

‘Sean!’ Chef shouted. ‘I’m glad I caught you before you left.’

‘What’s the matter?’ Sean said to him.

‘Do you have any spare jars of honey in your car? I know you often carry extra in case you need them.’ This wasn’t the first time chef had been relieved to find that Sean had jars of honey on hand for the castle.

Sean frowned. ‘I’ve got a box with around ten jars. But I thought I’d delivered plenty the other day.’

‘Blame Muira,’ Chef said playfully, jarring Muira and perplexing Sean. ‘Muira told the guests attending her workshop all about you and your beemaster honey. I served up honey for their afternoon tea, and now several of them want to buy a jar. I don’t have any to spare. I need it for the restaurant menus.’

Sean hurried to his car and opened the boot.

Gaven came out of his office hearing what was going on. ‘Add the purchase to the castle’s orders and we’ll sort out the cost later with the guests,’ Gaven said to chef.

Chef nodded, then he smiled at Muira.

She smiled back at him. ‘I didn’t mean to cause a stooshie.’

After settling the honey hullabaloo, Sean took Muira for a walk around the estate.

‘I want to show you the bluebells in the wood while there’s still enough light,’ said Sean, glancing up at the late afternoon sky.

The sunlight was fading to become an amber glow, and the air started to have a briskness to it. But in the heart of the wood, the air felt mild. They walked together into the depths of it.

‘The scent is wonderful,’ said Muira, breathing it in.

As they continued walking, admiring the bluebells and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the surrounding trees and greenery, Muira told Sean about the workshop.

The light had faded by the time they walked back into the castle.

‘I’ve worked up quite an appetite,’ Sean said, escorting her through to the restaurant where they were seated at their table and handed the menus.

Muira opened her menu. ‘I skipped lunch. I was in too much of a whirlwind of excitement getting ready for the workshop.’

‘What do you fancy for your first course?’ said Sean.

‘Chef’s lentil soup.’

‘Two lentil soups,’ Sean ordered for them, while they decided on their main course and continued to chat about the success of the workshop.

‘Gaven has put the video on the website,’ said Muira.

Sean looked like he was eager to check it on his phone, but didn’t like to do this during dinner.

‘Have a wee peek before our soup is served,’ Muira encouraged him. ‘You’ll hear me blethering.’

‘You sound very knowledgeable,’ Sean complimented her.

Muira smiled. And then their first course was served and Sean tucked his phone away. Fresh baked dinner rolls were served with the two bowls of hearty lentil soup garnished with a sprinkling of parsley, black pepper and greentails.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Aileen locked the door of her quilt shop, and drove off with her car packed with the bundles of fabric and other things she needed for the quilting workshop. The early evening sky arched over the loch as she drove past and on to the forest road leading up to the castle.

Messages had come through from Jessy and Muira telling her that the crochet and needle felting workshops had been a success. Now Aileen was due to take the evening workshop. Jessy had told her that the morning and afternoon workshops had been fairly busy, and that the guests were delighted with the things they’d made.

The castle was all aglow as Aileen drove up and parked near the front entrance. She’d set off a bit early so she could organise the fabric without having to rush. From the videos she’d seen of the craft workshops on the castle’s website, she’d arrange pre–cut bundles of fabric on the tables, along with the hexie papers they’d need. Apparently, Gaven’s orders of fabric, thread and various other craft items had arrived and were in the craft room wardrobe and in a cupboard that had been added as the range of products mounted up.

‘The craft room is all set up for you,’ Walter said as Aileen walked into reception carrying round one of the bags she’d brought with her. ‘I’ll help you in with your stuff.’

‘Thanks, Walter,’ Aileen said, heading along the hallway to the craft room and putting the first load of bags down. She’d probably brought far more fabric than she’d need, but thought it was better to have too much than run short.

Walter lugged in the last of the bags. ‘There you go, Aileen. That’s everything. Would you like a cup of tea before folk arrive? You’re early.’

‘A cuppa would be great,’ Aileen said, continuing to divide the fabric prints and solid colours and place them on all the tables. She planned to give the guests plenty of prints and colours that they could choose from, and with them sharing the tables, she imagined they’d see lots of fabric that they liked.

‘Are you Aileen?’ a woman called in from the doorway.

‘Yes. I’m organising the quilting workshop tonight.’

Three other faces of guests peered in, looking eager to participate.

‘The workshop hasn’t started yet.’ Aileen checked the time. Nearly half an hour before the official schedule.

The guests lingered in the doorway.

Aileen smiled tightly. ‘But you’re welcome to come in for a peek.’

‘Oh, look at all this lovely fabric,’ one of the women said, running her hand over the top of a bundle.

‘I brought plenty so you’ll hopefully quilt with colours that you like,’ Aileen explained.

‘I’ve always wanted to learn how to make a quilt,’ one of the others told Aileen.

‘Well, I’ll show you how to get started,’ said Aileen.

Another two faces peered in the doorway. ‘Are we late?’ One of them called in.

‘No, the workshop doesn’t start for a wee while yet,’ Aileen explained.

‘We’re just having a nosy around at all the fabric,’ the first woman told them.

Now all of them were browsing around, and admiring the large quilt that was hanging up.

‘Is this one of your quilts?’ said a guest.

‘Yes.’ Aileen walked over and began to explain about the design. She gave them a peek at the underside of the quilt. ‘This is the backing fabric. I used extra wide fabric to make it.’

While they were discussing the quilt, Jessy hurried in. ‘Aileen! Could I have a wee word with you?’

Aileen nodded and followed Jessy into the hallway where they could talk without being overheard.

‘Don’t panic,’ Jessy said, causing Aileen’s heart to lurch.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing, well...the workshop could be a wee bitty busier than we thought.’

‘How much busier?’

Five guests approached. ‘Is the craft room through there?’ One of them said to Jessy.

‘It is, but the quilting workshop hasn’t started yet,’ Aileen told them.

Smiling, they turned around and went through to another area of the castle.

‘I’m sure you can cope with a load of folk,’ Jessy assured her, sounding unsure.

Aileen wasn’t assured in the slightest, especially as Walter and another member of staff went by carrying folding tables and chairs to deal with the overspill of guests.

‘How many?’ said Aileen.

Gaven strode towards them before Jessy could reply.

‘I’m not sure if it’s because this is an evening workshop,’ said Gaven. ‘But a lot of guests are interested in joining in the quilting tonight. It won’t be too busy, but probably another quarter added from the morning and afternoon workshops.’

‘We need a plan,’ Jessy said, sounding tense.

‘It’s hexies that the guests will be learning to make,’ said Aileen. ‘They won’t need the sewing machines. It’s all hand stitching, and hexies are wee and manageable. But I don’t want to spoil the workshop by having too many people to teach.’

‘Could you help to show them how to make hexies?’ Gaven said to Jessy.

‘I suppose I could, but...I’m not an expert quilter like—’ Jessy thought of an idea. ‘Rose, she’s an expert quilter.’

‘Phone Rose,’ Gaven said without any hesitation. ‘Tell her she’ll be paid for her time and trouble.’

Aileen nodded to Jessy.

‘I’ll phone her right now.’ Jessy phoned immediately.

Sitting at her sewing machine, Rose was working on a quilt when Jessy’s call came through.

‘Rose! It’s Jessy. Can you come up to the castle? We have a quilting emergency.’ Jessy gave her the brief details.

‘I’m on my way.’ Rose grabbed her craft bag, threw her coat on and drove up to the castle.

‘I’d better get back to the craft room,’ said Aileen.

‘I’ll come with you,’ Jessy offered.

As they walked away, Gaven discussed the workshop with Walter. ‘We don’t want to make it too busy.’

‘Other guests are bound to want to join in,’ said Walter.

‘I know. We’re just finding the right balance with these new workshops. I think we’ll have to start taking names and limiting the number of participants.’

Hearing other guests in reception wondering what was happening, Gaven thought of an idea. ‘Put music on in the function room early. Something lively that guests can dance to.’

‘I’ll get the jigging going,’ Walter assured him, running off to do this.

He passed Gare arriving to video the workshop unaware of the situation.

‘I arrived early to film Aileen on her own before the quilting starts,’ said Gare.

Walter shook his head. ‘Nae chance. It’s hoachin’ through there.’ And then Walter ran on into the function room.

Gaven took a moment to explain.

‘I’ll wait until the workshop has started then,’ said Gare, following Walter to take a seat in the function room.

Then Gaven saw chef and called to him. ‘Chef!’ Gaven hurried over and told him what was happening. ‘The craft room is buzzing.’

Lively music was filtering out from the function room, and guests were now heading through to see what was going on.

‘I’ll rustle up cakes and pastries and take them through to the function room,’ said chef.

Gaven nodded, and chef hurried away to the kitchen.

Chef announced to the catering staff as he went in. ‘We need to serve up cakes and pastries right now in the function room for the guests.’

The staff stopped whatever they were doing and paid heed to chef’s instructions.

Chef pointed to various parts of the kitchen, organising things at speed. ‘Grab a gateau and gingerbread. Plate the pastries. Serve up scones and shortbread. Go, go, go!’

The staff worked efficiently with chef helping them organise everything including pots of tea and coffee.

Gaven was welcoming guests into the function room as each of the catering staff wheeled in a silver trolley laden with a tempting selection of treats.

Two couples were already on the dance floor, and this encouraged others to join in.

Walter searched through his music list and played a popular tune that they used for the ceilidh nights.

Soon, guests were taking part in a reel, while others were indulging in the cakes, scones and pastries.

Rose arrived and saw Gaven. He ran over to her.

‘Thanks for coming up, Rose. Aileen and Jessy are in the craft room.’

Rose held up her bag. ‘I brought quilting with me.’

‘We’ll be better organised next time,’ Gaven assured her. He checked the time. ‘The class officially starts in five minutes.’

Rose nodded and hurried away through to the craft room.

The lively ceilidh dancing encouraged other guests to wander through from the restaurant to take part.

Muira and Sean were just finishing their Scottish trifle.

‘The castle seems to be buzzing tonight,’ Muira said to Sean.

‘It sounds like there’s a ceilidh night in the function room. Do you fancy a wee whirl around the floor before we head home?’

Muira smiled. ‘I could be persuaded.’

As they drank their tea, Jessy approached their table. ‘Sorry to interrupt your dinner.’

‘No, we’ve finished,’ Muira assured her. ‘You look harassed.’

Jessy swept a strand of hair back from her usually tidy bun. ‘Aileen’s quilting workshop is brimming with folk. Gaven and Walter are trying to distract any other guests by starting the dancing.’

‘We were going to have a burl,’ said Sean.

‘Do you need me to help with the workshop?’ Muira offered, emphasising that she wasn’t an expert quilter.

‘Yes, even just to organise the fabric and get the guests settled,’ said Jessy. ‘I need to tend to reception as Walter’s busy with the dance music.’

Muira stood up and looked at Sean.

‘I’ll hang around the castle,’ he assured Muira.

‘Chef’s running out of scones and pastries,’ Jessy added. ‘But Bradoch is driving up in his van to give us a top–up. He’s bringing Etta with him. They should be here soon.’

Etta had her coat on, her craft bag linked over her arm and was standing outside her cottage by the loch. Knitting was her main craft, but she was an excellent quilter too.

The headlights of Bradoch’s bakery van emerged from the main street as he drove up towards her.

He stopped the van and Etta hurried over. She thought he’d be arriving in his car.

‘Jump in, Etta,’ Bradoch said, reaching over and opening the passenger side door of the van.

Etta swallowed any reticence she had, and climbed up. Bradoch’s strong hand clasped hers and pulled her in quicker than she’d intended.

‘Strap yourself in, Etta,’ Bradoch told her, revving up the van.

‘I’ve never sat up front in a bakery van before,’ said Etta, quite enjoying the view and the feeling of excitement.

‘Is there dancing on tonight in the function room?’ a guest said to Jessy at reception.

‘Yes, away through,’ said Jessy. ‘Chef’s serving cakes, and there’s ceilidh dancing.’

‘Cakes and a ceilidh,’ the guest said excitedly. ‘I’d like that.’

The function room was spacious enough to cope with lively events, and the dance floor was busy with people enjoying themselves.

Chef and his staff had set up a buffet table at the side of the room and guests were delighted to help themselves.

‘If I’d had more warning, I would’ve baked extra cakes and pastries,’ chef said to Gaven. But he was thankful that Bradoch was coming to the rescue.

‘The view from the van is great,’ said Etta, peering out the windows.

Bradoch laughed as he drove up the forest road and headed to the castle.

He’d packed up everything he had left from the day’s products to help chef.

‘I hear Gaven’s doing a press interview tomorrow morning,’ said Bradoch.

‘Yes, that’s why he’s holding these extra workshops so that it’ll add to the feature,’ Etta explained. ‘Jessy says everything was running smooth until too many guests wanted to join in Aileen’s quilting workshop. So Gaven laid on a party night in the function room to keep the guests happy.’

Bradoch smiled. ‘Chef sounded wound up when he phoned me. I could hear music and chaos in the background.’

‘I’m going to help Aileen with the quilting. Rose is there too.’

Bradoch drove the van up to the front of the castle, jumped out and went round to give Etta a hand down.

‘Thanks for the lift, Bradoch,’ said Etta, hurrying into reception armed with her craft bag stuffed full of quilted items she’d made that she thought would be of interest to the guests.

Chef and his staff were pleased to see Bradoch arrive with a tray of cupcakes, jam doughnuts, custard buns, strawberry tarts and Scottish snowballs.

‘I’ve got another two trays to bring in from the van,’ said Bradoch.

‘Cheers, Bradoch,’ said chef.

Muira was busy in the craft room cutting pieces of fabric. Rose and Etta were helping Aileen to demonstrate quilting.

Gare was in the thick of it, filming Aileen showing the guests how to make a patchwork quilt using hexies.

‘Each hexie is made from a piece of fabric that’s cut slightly larger than the hexie paper,’ Aileen explained, holding up one of the small hexagon shaped pieces of paper. ‘I fold the fabric around the hexie paper, and then I thread baste it to keep it in place.’

Gare filmed Aileen hand sewing the hexie. Then she showed them a sample of hexies that she’d whip stitched together to form the basis of a quilt.

‘Once all the hexies are sewn together, I remove the papers and the basting stitches,’ said Aileen, showing them another example of how she did this. ‘Remember, don’t sew through the papers because they have to be removed before you start to make the quilt sandwich. Some people use glue to baste their hexies, but I prefer to thread baste mine.’

All the guests started to make hexies. And there was plenty of fun, chatter and instruction from Aileen and the other crafting bee ladies.

Rose had brought along a small lap quilt she’d made from hexies. Etta showed them her quilted hexie tea cosy.

‘Oh, you’re Etta,’ said a guest. ‘I bought a knitted tea cosy from your website. I’m delighted with it.’

Etta smiled.

As the guests stitched their hexies, Aileen explained to them what a quilt sandwich was while Gare filmed her.

‘The hexies that you’re making become the quilt top. Then a layer of soft wadding is put between the quilt top and the backing fabric.’ Aileen held up one of her quilts. ‘These three layers become the quilt sandwich.’

Gare had brought his laptop with him so he could edit the video at the castle, allowing Gaven to put it up on the website later that night in readiness for the morning.

Filming everything he needed, Gare then left Aileen and the others to get on with the workshop while he went through to the laird’s office to create the video.

Gaven was in the function room joining in the dancing and chatting to the guests. But while he was dancing one of the reels, he realised that this would work for his idea — a crafting ceilidh. The function room’s patio doors were open and he noticed that some of the guests were popping out to watch the crafting workshop and then coming back in to dance or have something to eat at the buffet.

Taking a break from the dancing, Gaven went over to talk to Walter, and they discussed the idea of holding a crafting ceilidh night soon.

‘It would be great to add this into the interview,’ said Gaven.

They discussed a suitable night, agreeing to invite the crafting bee ladies along to take part in the evening.

Sean had been sitting relaxing and having tea in the piano bar, and then as the night wore on, he decided to go round to the back of the castle and take a peek in the craft room.

Lights and music poured out of the open patio doors of the function room, and Sean saw that the dance floor was jumping with revellers as he went by. Just along from there was the craft room, and one of the glass doors was open. Keeping to the shadows, he peered in and saw Muira helping with the quilting. She didn’t see him, but one of the guests did.

‘Muira,’ a guest exclaimed. ‘There’s your handsome beemaster boyfriend.’

Everyone looked outside, and rather than make a bolt for it, Sean stepped forward and waved casually as if he hadn’t been snooping.

As he walked away, he heard giggling and chatter, and guests wondering if he wanted to spend the rest of the evening with Muira.

‘No, it’s fine,’ Muira assured them. ‘Sean treated me to dinner in the restaurant earlier.’

‘How romantic!’ said a guest.

Muira continued to help guests select other pieces of fabric from the bundles to make their hexies.

Another guest spoke up while stitching. ‘Jessy mentioned to me that you’re dating Fyn,’ the woman said to Aileen. ‘I’ve been down to his flower shop in the main street.’

Aileen nodded. ‘We’ve been dating for a wee while.’

‘What about you Rose?’ another woman said as the conversation turned to romance and gossip.

Rose was showing them how to select colours of thread that blended well with their fabrics.

‘I’m dating Ian,’ said Rose. ‘He’s working in Edinburgh at the moment.’ She didn’t elaborate.

‘Ian’s a professional dancer,’ Etta piped up. ‘He taught us how to do ballroom dancing for the Christmas ball.’

‘He must be extremely fit and flexible,’ a woman commented, causing a ripple of giggles throughout the craft room.

Rose smiled and blushed.

‘There seems to be a lot of romance going on around here,’ a guest remarked.

‘Oh, yes,’ said Etta. ‘It’s one of those times when romance is flourishing in the village.’

‘Etta is dating Mullcairn, the radio presenter,’ Muira said, putting the spotlight on Etta.

This sparked the guests’ interest further.

‘I listen to his radio show,’ said a guest.

Others nodded.

‘We’re just friends,’ Etta clarified.

‘With romantic potential,’ Muira added.

Etta smiled. ‘Mullcairn works from his studio in Edinburgh, and he lives in the city. But he comes here quite often. He loves the castle’s ceilidh nights.’

‘We saw a beautiful bride having her wedding photographs taken in the castle gardens yesterday,’ said a guest.

‘Robin and Oliver, a local couple, got married by the loch and had their reception at the castle,’ said Aileen. ‘Robin is one of our crafting bee members. She’s going to teach textile art workshops after her honeymoon. Oliver owns the art shop in the main street.’

‘I’d love a go at textile art, but I’m leaving in a couple of days,’ a guest said with a sigh.

‘Gaven is planning to hold regular craft workshops here at the castle as part of the facilities,’ said Aileen. ‘The dates for them will be listed on the website along with videos of the crafts. And there are links to our websites. Most of us have videos where we demonstrate our quilting, knitting, sewing and all sorts of crafts.’

The guests agreed to check the website.

Music and laughter sounded from the function room, drifting through the craft room’s open back door.

‘It sounds like a lively night,’ said Muira.

Jessy walked in from the hallway and spoke to the guests. ‘When you finish your quilting, come through to the function room and join in the dancing. And there’s a buffet.’

Aileen noted that it was time to conclude the workshop. Along with Rose, Etta and Muira, they helped the guests pack up what they’d sewn to take away with them in the customer bags Aileen had brought from her quilt shop.

The happy smiles of the guests showed that the workshop had been a success. Now the guests moved through to the function room to enjoy the dancing.

‘I’m going to find Sean and head home,’ said Muira. ‘It’s been a hectic day and I don’t want to look tired for the photos in the morning.’

Rose, Aileen and Etta agreed, packing their bags and putting their coats on.

‘Would you like a lift home to your cottage?’ Rose said to Etta.

‘Thanks, that would be handy,’ said Etta.

Jessy waved them off at reception. ‘I’ll see you all in the morning. And remember, Gare’s video of the quilting workshop is up on the castle’s website.’

Aileen was eager to take a peek and checked it on her phone as they walked outside to their cars.

Sean walked along with Muira and they peered over. ‘You sound great,’ Muira said to Aileen.

Etta and Rose agreed, planning to study the video when they got home.

Sean dropped Muira off at her cottage and helped carry her bags inside, then he drove away to let her get some rest.

Muira dug out the felted robins and bumblebees from her bags and sat them back up on a shelf in the living room. Then she quickly unpacked the remainder of her needle felting materials, tidied them away, and then got ready for bed.

As Sean drove home to the farmhouse, he noticed the lights shining from the windows of Campbell’s cottage. But as he parked outside the farmhouse, he saw the lights turn off and Campbell walking over the field towards him.

Sean waited for him. ‘Working late in your cottage.’

‘It’s nearly ready,’ said Campbell. He glanced up at the night sky. ‘I don’t know how much bright sunlight we’ll get tomorrow, but the wee bee solar lights in the garden have a glow to them now. He needed the twinkle lights as part of the scenery he had in mind for the proposal, and planned to add more to create a romantic atmosphere.

They headed inside. ‘How did Muira’s workshop go?’

Sean filled the kettle to make them a cup of tea. ‘The guests enjoyed it. Later we had dinner in the restaurant. Then things got hectic at the castle...’

Campbell laughed as Sean told him what happened. ‘The craft room was jumping. Now Gaven’s planning a crafting ceilidh night soon.’

Campbell frowned. ‘What’s that?’

Sean shrugged. ‘I haven’t the foggiest. But it’s sure to be lively.’

‘I don’t know why I’m so nervous,’ said Bee, driving Rose and Etta up to the castle for the photos in the morning.

‘It’ll be because you have to demonstrate spinning your yarn,’ said Rose. ‘We just have to stand and have our picture taken.’ Rose tapped her craft bag. ‘Unless we have to stitch or knit something as well. I came prepared.’ So had the others.

‘I’m still in a whirl from last night,’ Etta confessed. ‘Though I did enjoy a wee jaunt in Bradoch’s bakery van.’

They laughed.

‘Never a dull moment around here,’ said Bee, driving them up to the entrance of the castle.

Aileen and Penny had arrived when they walked into reception.

Jessy waved them over and spoke in a confiding tone. ‘Gaven’s nearly finished his interview with the journalist. He arrived early, so Gaven invited him to join him for breakfast. They chatted over chef’s special breakfast. Now they’re through in the function room talking about the crafting ceilidh and the workshops. Walter will tell us when we should go through to the craft room to have our pictures taken. Hang your coats and jackets up in the cloakroom.’

The ladies did as Jessy suggested, checking their hair and makeup, and then they went back through to reception.

Muira and Sylvia were now standing in reception. They’d closed the sweet shop for an hour to take part in the feature.

Robin and Oliver had arrived too.

‘I’d like to order one of chef’s picnic baskets,’ Oliver said to Jessy, explaining his plan.

‘I’ll sort that out for you,’ said Jessy and went through to the kitchen to tell chef.

‘The crafting ceilidh is being held in the castle a few nights from now,’ Gaven told the journalist.

Recording their interview, the journalist seemed interested in including this in the feature.

‘We’ll have a few of the crafting bee ladies in the craft room demonstrating various crafts — quilting, knitting, crochet, embroidery, needle felting, textile art. And ceilidh dancing and a buffet in the function room,’ Gaven elaborated. ‘Guests will be able to mingle amid the crafts and join in the reels and jigs.’

As the interviewer had all the details he needed to write the feature, he then wanted to take the photographs — and capture a few minutes of video that would be posted on the paper’s online edition.

Gaven nodded to Walter to show the crafting bee ladies through.

‘Come and get your pictures taken,’ Walter beckoned to them. ‘And he wants to film Bee using the spinning wheel.’

The ladies followed Walter along the hallway to the craft room.

Bee felt butterflies of nervous excitement, hoping she wouldn’t mess up her spinning.

Etta gave Bee’s arm a reassuring squeeze. ‘You’re an expert at spinning yarn. Show what you can do.’

Etta’s words helped to calm Bee, and as she walked into the craft room and saw the spinning wheel, she was ready to spin the yarn at speed.

The journalist decided to start with the filming. Introducing Bee, he encouraged her to explain her process.

Bee’s years of experience kicked in, and she began the demonstration as if she was making one of the videos for her website. As she started spinning, the journalist looked impressed, but then Bee began to spin at her usual fast rate, causing the man’s eyes to widen in awe. He kept filming until she’d finished. Bee hadn’t faltered in the slightest.

The ladies clapped and this encouraged the journalist to invite a few of them to demonstrate their skills.

Etta knitted a row of the Fair Isle jumper she’d brought with her. Penny used a visible mending method to repair a garment. Aileen whip stitched a quilt sample. Muira needle felted part of a bumblebee. Rose showed her needle turn appliqué technique using the needle to turn the edges of the fabric in as she stitched a flower on to a piece of quilt fabric. Robin embroidered details on to the cotton fabric of a textile art scene depicting the loch. And others showed their crochet, crewel work, tapestry, rag doll making, and papercraft flower methods.

The journalist was happy with the video, and told them it would be edited and put up on the publication’s website to add to the interest of the crafting feature. The paper worked to tight daily deadlines, and the feature was due out soon.

Gaven and his magnificent Scottish castle with the new craft workshops were the main focus of the feature. And the editorial would include the latest trends in crafts.

The journalist wanted the laird to stand in the craft room with the crafting bee ladies on either side. Robin’s textile art, Aileen’s wall quilt, and the sewing machines were in the background of the shots. But it was the smiling faces that would stay in people’s memories when they saw the photos. Crafting bee ladies and the laird would be one of the captions. Along with a paragraph headed — crafting ceilidh at the castle.

After the press interview, Oliver collected the picnic basket from reception, and then headed outside with Robin to go for a walk around the castle’s estate.

‘What route would you like to take?’ said Oliver.

‘I’d like to walk over the wee bridge.’ Robin pointed towards the wild garden area. ‘It’s not too far.’

They walked together away from the castle and into an area where the grass and the flowers had an untamed beauty.

‘There’s the bridge.’ Robin saw it in the distance. The original structure had been repaired over the years, but it still retained its old–fashioned styling.

When they reached the bridge, they walked to the middle of it and watched the clear stream run underneath them. The water sparkled in the sunlight, and Robin shielded her eyes from the occasional glare.

‘It’s another bright day.’ Oliver breathed it in, setting the basket down and holding on to the wooden railing as he looked over at the water. ‘This is nice.’

Robin stood beside him and leaned close and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Oliver grinned. ‘What was that for?’

‘Nothing, just for you being you.’ She gazed again at the water, and they stood contentedly side by side peering over at the water flowing by.

Finally, Robin suggested they venture to another part of the estate to see the waterfall.

The sun was high in the sky and it was now around lunchtime.

To reach the waterfall they had to take a trail through a deep part of the forest where the sunlight was barely a flicker through the thick foliage.

‘This feels like another world,’ Robin said, relishing being away from everything else and the rush of work, even though she loved her textile art.

Oliver glanced around. ‘It is. Look over there. The trail leads deep into the forest where there are more shadows than sunlight. Do you want to walk a bit more?’ There was an edge of adventure in his tone.

Robin was up for it. ‘Lead the way.’

Near the heart of it they stopped and breathed in the scent of the fresh pines, other trees and greenery. Then they followed a sign that showed the way to the waterfall.

Robin trailed her fingers gently through the cold water as she sat down on the moss–covered edge of the waterfall. ‘It’s sooo cold, but I’m tempted to come back later in the spring when it’s slightly warmer and go for a paddle.’

Oliver set the picnic basket down. ‘Or a swim. It’s like a mini pool and the water is so clear. Those stones on the bottom are smooth from years of wear.’

Robin noticed the twinkle lights around the edge of the pool. ‘I’d heard that the waterfall was lit up at night. We should take a moonlight dip one evening as well.’

Oliver nodded, up for various adventures with his new wife.

‘Would you like to have lunch?’ Oliver suggested, opening the picnic basket to take a peek at what chef had packed for them.

‘Yes,’ Robin peered over and smiled. ‘Sandwiches and savoury pastries.’

Oliver lifted out the two pastries. ‘Sausage roll or cheese pastry?’

‘Cheese, and there’s a tub of salad, and pickles and sauce...’ Chef had thought of everything.

Robin set up their plates with napkins and poured two cups of tea from the flask. ‘The tea is still piping hot.’

Oliver raised his cup. ‘Cheers!’

‘Cheers!’ Robin tipped her cup against his and then they started to tuck in.

Campbell phoned Neil. ‘Can I pick up the engagement ring?’

Neil was working on designing another ring when he took the call. ‘Yes, come round to the cottage. Penny was up at the castle, but she’s gone with Aileen to the quilt shop. So the coast is clear.’

‘I’ll pop over.’ Campbell ended the call. He was in his cottage having worked on the hives early in the morning. But knowing that Bee was up at the castle, he’d made the most of the time to pick up things he needed from the main street without her seeing him.

Campbell hurried towards Neil’s cottage and knocked on the front door.

‘I’m through here in my workshop,’ Neil called to him. He was sitting at his workbench.

Campbell went in, and there was the engagement ring on the table, sparkling in a little velvet box. Under the spotlights that Neil worked with, it was scintillating. Campbell picked it up. The ring was a classic solitaire set in a band of yellow gold. ‘This is beautiful, thanks Neil.’

‘Are you proposing tonight?’

‘No, tomorrow night. Bee was a bit keyed up this morning having to demonstrate spinning her yarn for the journalist, so I thought I’d do it on a day she was more relaxed.’

Neil nodded.

‘You look windblown,’ said Neil. ‘I was going to put the kettle on. Would you like a cup of tea?’

‘Aye, I’ve been out in the fields and working in my cottage garden, then running around the main street.’ Campbell ran a hand through his ruffled hair.

As Neil stood up, he heard Penny arrive.

Both men panicked, and Neil pushed Campbell towards the kitchen door that opened on to the cottage’s back garden. ‘Jump the hedge. Watch, it’s jaggy.’

Holding the ring box tightly in his fist, Campbell bolted out the back door and took a flying leap, clearing the hedge, and then raced away to his field so that Penny didn’t catch a glimpse of him. Not that Penny would clipe on him, but he wanted the whole proposal to be a surprise.

Neil filled the hallway, opening his arms and sweeping Penny into a hug, preventing her from seeing Campbell if he had to take a second run at the hedge. Thankfully, Campbell had disappeared, but Neil was pleased to see Penny and gave her a kiss along with the huge cuddle.

‘What a welcome home,’ Penny said, slightly breathless from the hugging. ‘I must go to Aileen’s shop more often. Or have you been up to something secret?’

‘No,’ Neil fibbed. ‘I was just about to put the kettle on for tea.’ This was true.

They went through to the kitchen together. Neil made the tea while Penny relayed everything that had happened at the castle. And admitted that Aileen had new fabrics in stock and that she’d bought more to add to her stash.

Campbell ran all the way back to his cottage. By the time he was there, he realised two things. One — he wasn’t cut out for secret squirrel stuff. He felt anxious even though he hadn’t done anything except plan a proposal. Two — he wasn’t out of breath and all the outdoor work had bolstered his fitness. He’d jumped that hedge in clumpy boots nae bother.

Neil’s offer of tea made him want a cuppa, so he put the kettle on to boil while he gazed at the engagement ring, hoping Bee would like it. Hoping too that she’d accept his proposal.

Looking for somewhere safe to hide it, he put it in one of the new bee mugs and then sat the mug up on the highest shelf in the kitchen. Bee would never see it there. Not that he was inviting her into the cottage, but...what if she popped in to tell him all about her morning at the castle.

The kettle had only just clicked off when there was a knock on the cottage door.

Campbell hurried through to the hall and opened it to find Bee standing there. ‘I’m not coming in,’ she said hurriedly. ‘I’m going down to the post office with some customer orders I packed last night. Do you want anything while I’m down there? I’ll buy a fresh loaf from Bradoch’s bakery. Can I drop one off for you?’

The blank look on Campbell’s face made her frown.

‘Are you okay?’ she said.

‘Yes, yes, fine, just...windblown.’ It was the only excuse he could think of. Somehow, knowing he had the ring within reach, he hoped he didn’t look furtive.

Bee studied him for a moment. ‘You look...furtive.’

‘No,’ he was quick to deny. ‘Certainly not.’

‘Okay, well, I’m going to the post office before it closes. I’ll call you later and tell you about what happened up at the castle.’

Campbell smiled tightly. ‘Great.’

As Bee walked away, she wondered if she was overtired from the day and reading things into Campbell’s manner that weren’t there. Shrugging off her doubts, she got into her car and drove away to the main street.

Campbell closed the door and muttered to himself, wishing he’d come across as suave and relaxed rather than windblown and furtive.

After dropping her customer orders off at the post office, Bee bought two fresh loaves of bread from the bakery and one of Bradoch’s cottage pies for an easy dinner.

Paying and picking up her items, she looked at Bradoch. The bakery was a hive of gossip. Maybe he knew something about Campbell. ‘Do you know if Campbell is up to something?’

Bradoch leaned back and looked thoughtful. ‘What type of something?’

‘I don’t know. He was acting suspicious when I spoke to him a wee while ago, like he was hiding something from me,’ Bee explained.

‘I haven’t heard anything about Campbell,’ said Bradoch.

Bee nodded. ‘Okay, thanks. Don’t tell him I said this.’

‘Not a word,’ Bradoch assured her.

Bee drove back to her cottage, and as tiredness started to hit her from the excitement of the long day, she put the pie in the oven and sent a message to Campbell:

Want to come over for dinner? I have cottage pie.

Campbell replied:

I’ll get cleaned up and pop over.

Bee had the plates set on the kitchen table by the time Campbell arrived fresh from the shower, wearing a clean shirt and with his hair swept back, but still slightly damp.

Seeing no signs of furtiveness, Bee dismissed her doubts, and chatted to him about her day over dinner.

‘I’ll need to buy a copy of the paper with you in it. When does the feature come out?’ he said.

‘Soon. The journalist will tell Gaven and he’ll let us know.’

‘Ideal. And it’ll be interesting to see you on the website too. I’m sure you did well demonstrating how to spin yarn.’

They continued to chat, but then Campbell left to let her get an early night. She was clearly tired, and he had plans to sort out.

Campbell kissed her goodnight on the doorstep of her cottage. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’ He walked away, and then glanced back. ‘Don’t make any plans for tomorrow night.’

Bee nodded. ‘Why not?’

‘There’s something I want you to see. I’d like your opinion.’ This was the closest to the truth he could think of.

‘I’ll push on with my knitting orders during the day, and then see you in the evening,’ she promised.

Feeling like his plan was on course, Campbell smiled to himself as he walked back to his cottage.

‘Something on your mind, son?’ Sean said to Campbell as they had breakfast the following morning in the farmhouse. Sean had made them scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes and toast.

‘Tonight is the night.’ Campbell didn’t need to elaborate.

‘I’m happy for you.’ Sean’s sincerity was clear. ‘Do you have things to get ready? I can take care of the hives today.’

‘Thanks, but I need to keep busy. I’m starting to feel nervous. I got the ring from Neil. It’s a real sparkler. I’ve got it hidden in my kitchen. Now I just need to wait until the evening so the lights in the garden create the right setting. I’m not planning anything too fancy.’

‘It sounds fancy to me. I’m sure Bee will love it.’

Campbell smiled over at his father. ‘The days usually spark in, but I’ve a feeling today will stretch out.’

‘Ach, no it won’t. Tonight is something special. Enjoy the day looking forward to it,’ Sean advised.

And suddenly, Campbell’s attitude clicked into a calmer mode. ‘You’re right.’ He lifted his mug of tea. ‘Cheers.’

Sean tipped his mug against Campbell’s. ‘Cheers.’

After breakfast in the farmhouse, Campbell worked in the fields, tending the beehives with Sean. By midday, the sun shone through the pale blue sky, and Campbell worked in his cottage garden, adding the extra set of twinkle lights he’d bought.

He picked a selection of flowers from their fields and put them into a couple of vases in the cottage.

As an amber glow shone over the garden and fields, Campbell jumped in the shower and then got dressed in smart casuals. He sent a message to Bee:

Can I pick you up for dinner at my cottage?

I’ll walk over.

Bee had enjoyed a cosy day working on her new knitted designs for the spring. She wanted the walk for some fresh air. After freshening her makeup, brushing her hair, putting on one of her soft sky blue jumpers with a pair of dark velvet trousers and boots, she picked up her bag and headed out. It was a short walk to the beekeeping field.

A golden twilight arched overhead and the scene looked like a vintage painting as there was nothing to indicate the modern world. The quaint cottage was aglow on the other side of the field. Bee smiled to herself. Campbell had added the bee solar lights and twinkle lights. She assumed this was what he wanted to show her.

Inside the cottage Campbell lit the two candles on the kitchen table. The lattice pastry savoury pie he’d bought from Bradoch’s bakery was heating in the oven. A large bowl of crisp green salad was ready to be served, along with a selection of her favourite relishes. A vanilla sponge cake filled with strawberry jam and buttercream was on a cake stand on the kitchen dresser. He’d set up everything to create a romantic atmosphere.

The engagement ring was in the velvet box. He put it in his trouser pocket.

His heart started thundering, hoping he’d made the cottage look special.

Glancing out the window, he saw Bee walking towards the cottage and went to the front door to welcome her.

‘Wow!’ Bee gasped as she walked up to him. ‘The lights in the garden look wonderful. And I see you’ve added a lot of new flowers and plants.’

Campbell clasped her hand. ‘Come and have a look round the back.’

Bee hurried along with him to the back garden that was aglow with twinkle lights and the little bee lights too. The kitchen door was open and the delicious aroma of dinner cooking wafted out.

‘Dinner smells delicious,’ Bee commented.

‘It’s almost ready.’

Bee gazed around at the twinkling lights and smiled. The night sky glittering with stars arched high above them. ‘This is so beautiful.’

Campbell took a deep breath.

The whole atmosphere had taken Bee aback, and she was smiling at Campbell as he took the ring from his pocket and got down on one knee to propose to her.

The look on her face showed that he’d truly surprised her.

‘Bee, will you marry me?’ Campbell held up the ring. It glittered under the lights.

‘Yes,’ she said, welling up with emotion. ‘I love you.’

Campbell put the beautiful diamond ring on her finger. A perfect fit, as planned.

Bee gazed at the ring as it sparkled in the light, and blinked away happy tears. ‘It’s a gorgeous ring, Campbell. I love it.’

Campbell stood up and wrapped her in his arms. ‘And I love you, Bee.’

They kissed and held each other close, enjoying this special moment together.

‘Come on, let’s have dinner,’ he said, escorting her inside the kitchen.

Bee blinked when she saw the candlelit dinner setting.

Campbell seated her at the table while he served up their food.

Bee kept admiring her ring and could barely stop smiling, knowing in her heart that she had found true love with this wonderful man.

Over dinner, they chatted about their day and their future together.

The village was abuzz with the happy news the next day. Sean was delighted for them, and the crafting bee ladies started to plan gifts for them. Sean offered to hold an engagement party for them at his farmhouse. But the crafting ceilidh was due soon, so Campbell suggested they celebrate at the castle — dancing, and while some of the ladies instructed various crafts.

Agreeing that this would be a wonderful way to celebrate their engagement, Campbell and Bee looked forward to the crafting ceilidh.

On the morning of the ceilidh, the journalist contacted Gaven to let him know the feature was in the paper and in the online edition.

News of this circulated throughout the village, and the crafting bee ladies were pleased with the editorial, the pictures, and the video coverage on the website.

The publicity created a marked interest in the castle and the crafts.

The night sky glittered with stars as Campbell drove Bee up to the castle. He wore his kilt and she wore a lovely tea dress and comfy shoes for the ceilidh dancing.

The castle was aglow with lights, and music sounded from the function room as Campbell escorted Bee inside.

The ladies of the crafting bee were there, buzzing around from the craft room to the function room, dressed for the dancing, but they’d all brought their various crafts with them. Robin was there with Oliver. Fyn had arrived with Aileen, and Bradoch was invited too.

Chef and his staff had set up a buffet and refreshments. The function room’s patio doors were open, and guests were invited to pop along to the craft room during the evening’s festivities.

Walter kept the music lively.

Several of the crafting bee ladies had agreed to give short demonstrations of their crafts, while then being able to enjoy the ceilidh themselves.

As the evening began with a lively reel, Campbell and Bee joined in, whirling around the dance floor.

Taking a break, they went over to talk to Gaven near the buffet.

‘Can we have a word with you?’ Campbell began.

Gaven smiled. ‘Yes.’

‘We’ve been discussing our future plans,’ Campbell told him. ‘We’ve decided that we don’t want a long engagement. So, if it’s suitable, we’d like to get married at the castle.’

Bee smiled. ‘A small ceremony, and then a reception here in the function room.’

‘I’d be happy to sort that for you,’ said Gaven. ‘Let me check the diary and I’ll give you a firm date for your wedding.’

Bee couldn’t contain her excitement and threw her arms around Campbell.

‘You two look happy,’ Sean said, coming over to them along with Muira.

They told him their plan to get married.

Everyone from Sean to the crafting bee ladies were delighted for Bee and Campbell.

And the planning began...

‘We’ll need to make their wedding quilt,’ Aileen said to Rose.

‘I’ll help you,’ said Rose. ‘We’ll select the fabric at your shop in the morning.’

Aileen nodded. ‘I’ve got a pretty bee print fabric that would be ideal for one of the designs in their quilt, or as the backing fabric.’

‘I’ll knit a bee theme tea cosy for them,’ Etta added.

‘Do you think Bee would like a vintage design wedding dress?’ said Penny.

Bee and Campbell smiled at each other as they overheard their friends planning to help them with the wedding.

Campbell wrapped Bee in his arms, leaned down and kissed her. ‘I love you.’

And then they laughed as they were pulled into a fast–moving reel. Whirling around the floor, linking arms with each other and with their friends, Campbell and Bee danced the night away while planning a happy future together.

End

About the Author:

De-ann Black is a bestselling author, scriptwriter and former newspaper journalist. She has over 100 books published. Romance, thrillers, espionage novels, action adventure. And children’s books (non-fiction rocket science books and children’s fiction). She became an Amazon All-Star author in 2014 and 2015.

She previously worked as a full-time newspaper journalist for several years. She had her own weekly columns in the press. This included being a motoring correspondent where she got to test drive cars every week for the press for three years.

Before being asked to work for the press, De-ann worked in magazine editorial writing everything from fashion features to social news. She was the marketing editor of a glossy magazine.

She is also a professional artist and illustrator. Embroidery design, fabric design, dressmaking, sewing, knitting and fashion are part of her work.

Additionally, De-ann has always been interested in fitness, and was a fitness and bodybuilding champion, 100 metre runner and mountaineer. As a former N.A.B.B.A. Miss Scotland, she had a weekly fitness show on the radio that ran for over three years.

De-ann trained in Shukokai karate, boxing, kickboxing, Dayan Qigong and Jiu Jitsu. She is currently based in Scotland.

Her 16 colouring books are available in paperback, including her latest Summer Nature Colouring Book and Flower Nature Colouring Book.

Her latest embroidery pattern books include: Floral Garden Embroidery Patterns, Christmas & Winter Embroidery Patterns, Floral Spring Embroidery Patterns and Sea Theme Embroidery Patterns.

Website: Find out more at: www.de-annblack.com

Fabric, Wallpaper & Home Decor Collections:

De-ann’s fabric designs and wallpaper collections, and home decor items, including her popular Scottish Garden Thistles patterns, are available from Spoonflower.

www.de-annblack.com/spoonflower

Also by De-ann Black (Romance, Action/Thrillers & Children’s books). See her Amazon Author page or website for further details about her books, screenplays, illustrations, art, fabric designs and embroidery patterns.

Amazon Author page: www.De-annBlack.com/Amazon

Romance books:

Scottish Loch Romance series:

1. Sewing & Mending Cottage

2. Scottish Loch Summer Romance

3. Sweet Music

4. Knitting Bee

5. Autumn Romance

6. Christmas Ballroom Dancing

7. Scottish Highlands New Year Ball

8. Crafting Bee

Music, Dance & Romance series:

1. The Sweetest Waltz

2. Knitting & Starlight

3. Ballroom Dancing Christmas Romance

Snow Bells Haven series:

1. Snow Bells Christmas

2. Snow Bells Wedding

3. Love & Lyrics

Scottish Highlands & Island Romance series:

1. Scottish Island Knitting Bee

2. Scottish Island Fairytale Castle

3. Vintage Dress Shop on the Island

4. Fairytale Christmas on the Island

The Cure for Love Romance series:

1. The Cure for Love

2. The Cure for Love at Christmas

Quilting Bee & Tea Shop series:

1. The Quilting Bee

2. The Tea Shop by the Sea

3. Embroidery Cottage

4. Knitting Shop by the Sea

5. Christmas Weddings

Sewing, Crafts & Quilting series:

1. The Sewing Bee

2. The Sewing Shop

3. Knitting Cottage (Scottish Highland romance)

4. Scottish Highlands Christmas Wedding (Embroidery, Knitting, Dressmaking & Textile Art)

Cottages, Cakes & Crafts series:

1. The Flower Hunter’s Cottage

2. The Sewing Bee by the Sea

3. The Beemaster’s Cottage

4. The Chocolatier’s Cottage

5. The Bookshop by the Seaside

6. The Dressmaker’s Cottage

Scottish Chateau, Colouring & Crafts series:

1. Christmas Cake Chateau

2. Colouring Book Cottage

Heather Park: Regency Romance

Summer Sewing Bee

Sewing, Knitting & Baking series:

1. The Tea Shop

2. The Sewing Bee & Afternoon Tea

3. The Christmas Knitting Bee

4. Champagne Chic Lemonade Money

5. The Vintage Sewing & Knitting Bee

The Tea Shop & Tearoom series:

1. The Christmas Tea Shop & Bakery

2. The Christmas Chocolatier

3. The Chocolate Cake Shop in New York at Christmas

4. The Bakery by the Seaside

5. Shed in the City

Tea Dress Shop series:

1. The Tea Dress Shop At Christmas

2. The Fairytale Tea Dress Shop In Edinburgh

3. The Vintage Tea Dress Shop In Summer

Christmas Romance series:

1. Christmas Romance in Paris

2. Christmas Romance in Scotland

Oops! I’m the Paparazzi series:

1. Oops! I’m the Paparazzi

2. Oops! I’m Up To Mischief

3. Oops! I’m the Paparazzi, Again

The Bitch-Proof Suit series:

1. The Bitch-Proof Suit

2. The Bitch-Proof Romance

3. The Bitch-Proof Bride

4. The Bitch-Proof Wedding

Dublin Girl

Why Are All The Good Guys Total Monsters?

I’m Holding Out For A Vampire Boyfriend

Action/Thriller books:

Knight in Miami

Agency Agenda

Love Him Forever

Someone Worse

Electric Shadows

The Strife Of Riley

Shadows Of Murder

Cast a Dark Shadow

Children’s books:

Faeriefied

Secondhand Spooks

Poison-Wynd

Wormhole Wynd

Science Fashion

School For Aliens

Colouring books:

Summer Nature

Flower Nature

Summer Garden

Spring Garden

Autumn Garden

Sea Dream

Festive Christmas

Christmas Garden

Christmas Theme

Flower Bee

Wild Garden

Faerie Garden Spring

Flower Hunter

Stargazer Space

Bee Garden

Scottish Garden Seasons

Embroidery Design books:

Sea Theme Embroidery Patterns

Floral Garden Embroidery Patterns

Christmas & Winter Embroidery Patterns

Floral Spring Embroidery Patterns

Floral Nature Embroidery Designs

Scottish Garden Embroidery Designs