Olivia waited until he’d shut the door. ‘He is so hardworking, has a sense of humour and never tells me anything about his private life. I can’t tell you what a relief that is. Now, to what do I owe this pleasure? I thought I’d banished you to your room for the night.’

Eliza explained her idea about an earlier arrival at Gretna Green. Olivia agreed it was a better plan. They’d leave first thing in the morning.

‘Now, back to your room, young lady,’ Olivia said. ‘Order room service again. Hang the expense.’

Eliza stopped at the door. ‘Mum used to like saying that.’

Olivia smiled. ‘Yes, I know,’ she said.

Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

They were on the road to Gretna Green by nine a.m. It was only a two-hour drive from Edinburgh.

Olivia had secretly rung Maxie at her hotel in Gretna Green the previous night to let her know the change of plan. Maxie had been happy to hear it.

‘But you don’t think Eliza will want to ask us any questions before the ceremony, do you? I’m going to be emotional enough as it is.’

‘No. I’ve said to her that I’ll ask you to come to Edinburgh for a few days after Hazel’s left for New York. The three of us can sit down and talk about everything together then.’

Maxie swore loudly. ‘The postcards! I’m so sorry, Liv. I forgot them. I got upset looking through them and put them back in the cupboard. They’re still there. I was in such a rush leaving, I left my walking boots behind too. I can’t even ask Hazel to get them. She’s already on her way, staying with a friend of ours in Manchester tonight. I’ll have to post them to you as soon as I’m back in London, when I’m packing up the flat.’

Olivia kept her temper with some difficulty. ‘Maxie, for God’s sake. You knew how important those postcards were.’

‘Please don’t be mad,’ Maxie said. ‘I’ve got a bad case of bride brain. If it’s any consolation, I did remember to bring the champagne. And my wedding dress.’

In the car beside her, Eliza was noticing every aspect of the landscape around them. It was so green compared to what she’d left behind in Australia, she told Olivia. So restful on the eyes. Olivia had grown to love the Scottish landscape, she said. Not just the dramatic Highlands further north, but these gentle rolling hills too, green fields on either side of the road, streams visible in the distance bordered by trees springing into leaf.

She was on edge, though, she realised. Waiting for Eliza to start asking her questions, even before Maxie was there. She deliberately kept the conversation to lighter subjects.