Cara idly flipped through the channels on the room’s flat-screen television. They still had about an hour until they needed to head to the airport to pick up their families and were quietly relaxing, happily content from their activity the day before on the beach, where they had both frolicked in the sand and surf, and drunk plenty of rum and tequila.
Suddenly, Cara paused on the Weather Channel and Shane reached over to grab the remote control from her. ‘Nope, none of that. You promised. It’s beautiful outside. Nothing to worry about, OK?’
‘I’m not worried. I just want to take a look.’
‘I know what you are looking for though. Information on the hurricane.’
It was true. Although Cara was trying her utmost not to think about it, she kept hearing snippets about the weather from other guests at the resort, and had noticed some of the low-key preparations the hotel staff were taking, just in case. It gave her cause for concern.
‘I’m just trying to stay informed, Shane.’
‘Well, I’m sure the hotel will keep us informed.’
‘Just let me watch. Two minutes, OK?’
Shane sighed and got up from the bed. ‘Fine. I’m going to get ready.’
He left the bedroom, leaving Cara to her own devices. She listened and watched as the reporter on the Weather Channel started talking about Hurricane Gail. Its current position was south-east, and it was being projected that the storm was headed in a north-west direction, towards the Caribbean. However, there was still a chance that it would change course at the last minute, as hurricanes were apt to do, and go north instead.
Cara sat up in bed, wondering what would happen if the storm hit St Lucia. She didn’t know anything about what to do in a hurricane and the thought terrified her.
So much for having everything ready to go. Would this be yet another spanner in the works when it came this wedding? she thought and then immediately chastised herself for the notion. After all, a hurricane threw up somewhat bigger issues than just interrupting a wedding.
Shane entered the bedroom again after a few minutes. This time he took the remote control away from her and flicked off the TV. ‘All right, that’s enough. No more TV, not for today. Cara, everything will work out, I know it. We have got this far, no silly storm is going to get in our way,’ he said, smiling.
She looked at her fiancé, wishing she shared his optimism. ‘You’re right. I know you are. I just need to put it out of my mind.’
Shane held out his hand. ‘Come on then. Time for you to get ready.’
‘I know. I’ll try and forget about it, I promise. As you say, there’s nothing we can do.’ Still something was telling her that there was going be one last hiccup, and when it came to this wedding, fate hadn’t quite finished with them yet.
She placed her hand in Shane’s and got up from the bed. Despite her worries, she was excited and her skin glowed, thanks to a little help from the sun.
‘The festivities start today once we collect the crew from the airport.’ Shane smiled. ‘It’s time for some fun.’
The two of them watched from the terminal building, as the plane from Dublin via Heathrow taxied to a stop on the runway outside. Just as with the plane that they had arrived in two days before, the passengers would disembark from the aircraft directly on to the concrete runway.
Cara bounced excitedly on her heels. Although she’d enjoyed her and Shane’s brief time alone, after all that had happened, she couldn’t wait for everyone else to get here and see the resort, as well as what they had planned for their special day. Everyone was arriving on this flight, with the exception of Zack and Danielle (who were apparently coming in on a private jet later), and Lauren and Gene, who had decided to fly first class with British Airways instead of on the Virgin economy tickets Cara and Shane had booked for the others.
The couple watched as the first of the passengers began to disembark.
‘Oh look, there’s Mum – and Dad!’ Cara exclaimed, pointing at her parents as they made their way down the steps. Despite her earlier protests, Betty looked as if she was actually well prepared for the warmer climate. She wore a flowing purple-patterned kaftan that danced happily in the tropical breeze. Cara gave a fond smile as Betty put a hand up to her head and caught her sunhat from blowing away as she looked around tentatively, as if half expecting to step off the plane and straight into the ocean.
Mick, on the other hand, looked as if he had just changed out of his usual corduroy trousers on the plane, instead opting for three-quarter length khaki shorts. To complement the look, and in typical Irish older male fashion, he had left on his socks and loafers, which dramatically clashed with his multicoloured Hawaiian shirt.
‘Where on earth did your father get that shirt?’ Shane snorted, holding back laughter.
‘I have absolutely no idea.’
Next were Heidi and Paul. Cara’s little sister wore a pink, Empire-line sundress, and held her tummy protectively, as if looking for the opportunity to shield her unborn baby from any tropical viruses or exotic animals that might suddenly attack as she exited the plane.
Paul, ever the obedient husband, carried both of their carry-on bags and tried to guide Heidi down the steps, as if she had never navigated such difficult territory before.
Cara’s friends Samantha, Lilly and Maria emerged next, all laughing and in jolly spirits.
Probably drinking wine the whole way here
, Cara guessed with an indulgent smile.
Another member of the Greygates crew then emerged. Conor was dressed casually in a pair of tan linen pants and a white cotton shirt. He had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, was sporting a stylish pair of dark leather sandals and was smiling and chatting with Maria about something. Watching him putting on his sunglasses as he descended the steps, Cara had to admit that he looked unaccountably handsome, like a famous rock star.
‘Look, leave it to Conor to entertain the girls,’ she smiled. ‘We’re going to have to find him someone while we’re here, otherwise it could be dangerous.’
‘Yes I don’t their husbands will thank you much for inviting them. Fun and frolics on a Caribbean island with Romeo Dempsey. I certainly wouldn’t like it, I can tell you,’ Shane said somewhat darkly.
‘Ah stop it – Conor’s not like that, you know that. And I’m glad they all made the effort to be here.’ Although she knew that Shane had some reservations about Conor, there was no way she wouldn’t have invited him to the wedding. Her boss had been so good to her – not just over the last few months but throughout all the time she’d worked for him. But she couldn’t help but wonder, as she had recently, if there was something more behind that kindness? She hoped not, because while she adored Conor, she had never, ever seen him as anything other than a good friend.
Finally, bringing up the rear were Kim, Ben, Lindsay and Olivia. Cara’s nieces each carried little bags emblazoned with Disney princesses, and both girls were obviously ecstatic to finally be out of the aircraft. They leapt around on the ground excitedly as they grabbed their parents’ hands, probably asking when they would be able to go swimming or play in the sand. Kim and Ben smiled happily at their children and at each other.
‘Wow, I must admit when we were planning this, I honestly didn’t expect Kim and Heidi to be so . . . well pregnant, I suppose. Kim especially; she looks almost ready to go into labour,’ Shane commented.
‘Don’t even think about it. That’s all we need,’ Cara said, imagining premature deliveries and the drama they’d get from Heidi about St Lucian babies and whatnot. ‘Anyway, they’re both still a good while off.’
Once everyone had disembarked, Cara and Shane headed towards arrivals to meet them, and within moments the entourage came through.
‘Mum, Dad, over here!’ Cara called out, waving furiously.
The small party looked in her and Shane’s direction, and the place immediately broke out into a cacophony of greetings.
‘Cara, that was the longest flight in the entire world! And in such tiny seats! I didn’t think we would ever get here,’ Betty complained.
‘Yes, and what’s this I hear about a hurricane? Just what are we going to do if it hits here? We would have never had to worry about a hurricane in Ireland,’ Mick complained, waving his hand across his face. ‘Jeez, I’m kilt with the heat already.’
‘Auntie Cara, Auntie Cara! Mummy said we could go swimming when we get to the hotel! Will you go swimming with us when we get there?’ Lindsay squealed.
‘Cara, you never told us your boss was so charming,’ cooed Samantha. ‘He had us in stitches all the way from London,’
‘And I kept the lot of you in drinks too, don’t forget that. I’m near broke,’ Conor added, hugging Cara. ‘I hope this resort is all inclusive.’
‘Cara, honestly I didn’t realise just how hot it would be. And so humid. I can feel water running down my back already. Does the resort have mosquito nets over the beds? I really cannot be exposed to malaria.’
‘Heidi hush, you aren’t going to catch malaria,’ Kim admonished. ‘And we’ll get used to the heat in no time.’
‘Well it’s great to have you all here in one piece anyway,’ Cara said happily, for once letting the protestations just roll off her. ‘Now, all we have to do is wait for Lauren and Gene and meet up with Danielle and Zack, and then everyone will be all set.’
Kim grinned at Cara and held her arms out wide. ‘Come here, bride-to-be, give me a hug.’
Cara smiled and obliged her sister-in-law. ‘Crikey, all of you on one flight. Must’ve been fun – I can’t imagine what went on,’ she whispered surreptitiously in Kim’s ear.
‘Don’t listen to a thing your mother says, she had a ball the whole way here. Ate all around her and drank Bloody Marys by the bucketload. She had the time of her life, and once Mick figured out how to operate the in-flight movies, he did too. How are you holding up, honey? Anything I can help you with?’
Cara rolled her eyes. ‘Not unless you can control the weather. You’ve heard about the hurricane?’ She bit her lip. ‘I don’t know what we’ll do if it hits here before Friday.’
Kim patted her on the shoulder. ‘Let’s not worry about that. This wedding has seen much greater challenges than some silly storm. And if it happens, well we can all just stay indoors get drunk, and get you married off just the same. Besides, Gail, is it?’ she queried. Cara nodded and Kim’s smile widened conspiratorially. ‘Heidi, Lauren . . . what’s another bitch in the scheme of things?’
Danielle’s stomach clenched in a tight knot as the wheels of Zack’s Cessna touched down on the runway of Hewanorra airport in St Lucia. She willed herself to keep control. She needed to appear calm, especially in front of her family and even more so now that Zack was present.
However, it was hard, because Zack was sitting across from her, observing her, much in the same way that a scientist would inspect a bug under a microscope. She felt as if he could read her every thought. It unnerved her.
‘We’re here,’ he said simply, a hand cupping his chin.
She looked down and smoothed her Prada skirt, then picked a piece of lint from her colourful Pucci top and brushed it away. She’d had a fresh round of Botox a couple of days before, and her hair freshly coloured, and a pair of D&G sunglasses were now perched on her head. At the very least Danielle felt she looked the part of the rich, successful and glamorous older sister.
‘So we are,’ she replied, barely disguising the tension in her voice.
‘Remind me again what your siblings’ names are?’ her boyfriend asked politely, as if he were about to enter a business meeting and wanted to know exactly who the key players would be.
‘I’m the first child, Ben’s next, then Cara and Heidi is the youngest.’
‘And your sister-in-law is Kim, and the brother-in-law’s name is . . .?’
‘Paul is Heidi’s husband. Shane is Cara’s fiancé. Lindsay and Olivia are Ben and Kim’s daughters,’ she said, filling in the relevant information about her extended family.
‘And your parents are Betty and Mick, of course,’ he confirmed. ‘Perfect. I’m looking forward to meeting them all.’
I’ll bet
, she thought. She almost wanted to smack the eager look right off Zack’s face. Why did he have to put her through this, and why the hell couldn’t she have been an only child?
‘Well,’ she said stiffly. ‘I’m sure it will all be enlightening.’
‘That’s a good word, enlightening,’ he commented. He shook his head as if puzzled. ‘I have yet to understand why you are so reticent about your family.’
‘Well, wait until you meet them,’ Danielle said, avoiding his gaze.
You don’t need to know,
she thought silently.
Moments later, the cabin attendant came to rouse them from their seats. She handed them each a hot towel to freshen up. ‘I hope you enjoyed the flight,’ she said, smiling, and Danielle couldn’t help but smile back. This was so much better than flying commercial.
‘It was lovely. Thank you,’ she said, standing up. ‘Well?’ She turned to Zack. ‘Let’s get this over with.’
As she moved to pass him in the aisle, he pulled her close. ‘Sweetheart, come here a moment. I know you are stressed, but please let me in. OK, I get it. You aren’t close to your family, and while I am not really sure why that is, let’s just make the best of the weekend. I am really not here to sabotage you. I’m here because I love you and I want to be part of what you are a part of. OK?’
Danielle allowed herself to be kissed, closing her eyes, wishing she could shut the world out at that moment. ‘You just don’t understand,’ she whispered, more to herself than Zack.
‘Understand what?’ he pressed. ‘That today you are a beautiful, successful, confident woman? Whatever’s gone on in your past, whatever your relationship is or was with your mother, none of it affects you today. Come on Danielle, be the woman I know. Throw that chin out. Walk that walk. You don’t need to regress to being a teenager, just because your family are in the same time zone. But whatever happens over the next few days, whatever I’m not getting . . . just try and let me in, OK?’
She studied Zack’s face. He certainly appeared earnest and she thought for a moment that maybe she was worrying about nothing. Maybe this would be all right. Maybe he wouldn’t judge. Maybe her family wouldn’t drive him away.