The Guest List

by Melissa Hill

  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?’

  Chapter 31

  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 ver
y 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.

  Maybe, just maybe, her fears were unjustified.

  She gave a small nod. ‘OK, just promise me that you won’t hold anything against me.’

  ‘Hold what against you, Danielle? The family you were born into? No family is perfect. Believe me, I know that,’ he chuckled.

  ‘Well, it’s just they can be a bit coarse, and loud and very Irish—’ And that moment the cabin attendant opened the outer door and Danielle immediately heard voices calling to her.

  She stepped out into the bright Caribbean sun and squinted to where her family – all of them – were waiting on the asphalt.

  My God, how many of them were there? she wondered, lowering her sunglasses. Nerves instinctively flooded her stomach. She tried counting. There were too many people here. And to her they were all potential time bombs, ticking away, waiting to explode.

  ‘Danielle! Wow, look at you, fancy-pants!’

  She closed her eyes. Bloody Ben.

  ‘Pulling up in a private jet, no less! Like a full-on celebrity!’ Mick called out. ‘Hey stranger!’

  ‘Oh lord . . .’ Danielle muttered, grimacing.

  Zack let out a laugh. ‘So they’re excited to see you. Big deal, there’s nothing wrong with that.’

  ‘Maybe some of them,’ Danielle said darkly. She didn’t hear her mother shouting out her name . . .

  Cara waved happily, and Danielle looked at the blur of faces, trying to identify who was there. She straightened her shoulders and walked with purpose down the stairs onto the asphalt, like Jackie O ascending from Onassis’s boat.

  Take that, Mum. Not looking so useless now, am I?

  When she reached the bottom of the steps, she waited for Zack, who jogged down behind her, and took her hand. His staff would arrange to have their luggage forwarded to the resort, so all she carried was an oversize Chanel purse, the very latest, and the most in-demand of the season. She jutted her chin out, trying to convey the fact that someone would be taking care of the rest, fetching her luggage. This was how rich, successful people travelled.

  She and Zack crossed the distance between her and her family.

  Wow, those two are really pregnant, was Danielle’s first thought as she caught sight of her youngest sister and Kim. She tried to remember the last time she’d seen them all and realised that she truly couldn’t recall. Cara rushed forward, dragging Shane behind her.

  ‘Danielle!’ She threw her arms around her older sister’s neck. ‘I’m so glad you made it. This is Shane.’ She introduced the handsome young man behind her. ‘And you must be Zack! I’m so excited to meet you. I’m Cara. We spoke on the phone.’

  Zack smiled his winning, all-American, poster boy smile. He leaned forward to shake Cara’s hand, but was instead met with a huge hug. ‘Oh! Yes – nice to meet you too, Cara. Congratulations. I’m excited to be here, and to share in your special day. Shane, nice to meet you too and congratulations.’

  Danielle smiled proudly. What a good guy, she thought, looking at Zack as he accepted Cara’s hug and shook Shane’s hand. He really did seem happy to be here. Maybe she should just lighten up?

  ‘So come and see everyone. They all just got here, too,’ Cara urged. ‘Now we’re just waiting on Shane’s parents.’

  ‘Er, right,’ said Danielle nervously as she looked over Cara’s shoulder at the rest of the group.

  Zack came to her side. ‘Relax,’ he said under his breath. ‘And smile. Cara seems great.’ She cringed even as she placed a tight smile on her face and allowed herself to be guided forward.

  ‘Danielle!’ cheered Kim. ‘So happy to see you again, it’s been too long. Ooh love that bag. I just read a feature about that in a magazine on the way over. It’s so roomy I thought it might be fun to use as a baby bag when the latest comes along.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Danielle reluctantly allowed herself to be greeted by Kim and Ben and her exuberant nieces, all the while introducing Zack to each member of her family.

  ‘Auntie Danielle, you didn’t say hello to Number Three!’ Olivia admonished.

  ‘Sorry, what?’ asked Danielle, confused.

  ‘She means this one,’ Kim explained, pointing to her tummy.

  ‘Right.’ Danielle wasn’t sure if Olivia actually expected her to bend down and speak to her mother’s stomach. She simply smiled indulgently, always uncomfortable around children. ‘And this is Heidi, and her husband Paul,’ Cara continued.

  Heidi extended a hand that had until then been glued to her tummy, and offered it to Zack, who greeted her warmly.

  ‘Erm, congratulations on the impending arrival,’ Danielle said to Heidi awkwardly. They’d never had much of a sisterly relationship, what with there being such an age gap, and truth be told they’d never really clicked, but manners dictated she said something, didn’t they?

  Heidi eyed her speculatively, sizing her up. ‘Thanks, it’s been a tough few months . . . but oh, listen to me blathering on – I know it’s impossible for someone who’s never had
kids to understand.’

  Much to Danielle’s surprise this childless barb cut deep, and right then she remembered exactly why she and Heidi had never had much of a relationship.

  Moving along quickly, Danielle turned to her father. ‘Zack, this is my dad, Mick.’

  ‘Honoured to meet you Mr Clancy,’ Zack said politely and Mick beamed.

  ‘Ah, call me Mick,’ he said. ‘Nice to meet you too and glad this girl of mine finally allowed you to mix with us.’ Danielle felt herself relaxing a little – until she heard another voice.

  ‘Well, Danielle, nice of you to honour us with your presence,’ Betty said stiffly, not making any movement to move forward and greet her eldest daughter.

  ‘Mother,’ said Danielle crisply, working her hardest to match her tone. She took in the garish kaftan and wished that she could put a blindfold on Zack. ‘Well, I am one of Cara’s bridesmaids after all, so of course I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’

  The two women engaged in a staring showdown until Zack moved forward, extending his hand to Danielle’s mother.

  ‘Mrs Clancy. I’m Zack Carter. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

  Having locked her gaze on Danielle, Betty finally tore her eyes away to look to Zack. ‘Yes, Mr Carter . . .’

  ‘Please ma’am. Call me Zack.’

  ‘Zack,’ she said coldly. ‘It is nice to meet you too. I was convinced for a while there that you didn’t actually exist. It wouldn’t be the first time my daughter’s misled us about something.’ She transferred her gaze pointedly back to Danielle, then quickly turned away, looking for someone else to talk to.

  Danielle bit her lip and felt herself blushing. She swallowed hard, trying to bite back tears. Once again, her mother had won, thoroughly embarrassing her in the first five minutes. Jesus Christ, she had to be around that woman for the next three days. How on earth was she going to get through it?