‘Oh my God,’ David laughed and, despite himself, Todd joined in as a vision of pink taffeta entered the room.
‘Shut up,’ Harriet stormed, shuffling uncomfortably.
‘What has she done to you?’ David shrieked, doubled over.
‘I have come to see if you’re ready.’ Harriet tried to arrange her dress so she could sit down. One of Todd’s conditions, showing that he did have a sense of humour, was that Harriet would have to be one of Katie’s bridesmaids. Harriet had tried to refuse but in the end she’d had to concede. It wasn’t much but at least it felt like some kind of revenge.
‘Has she dressed all the bridesmaids like that?’ Todd asked, mouth twitching.
‘Yes. All ten,’ Harriet scowled. ‘Now, are you ready?’
‘Sure, yes, all ready to go.’ Todd smiled at her, a smile that wasn’t returned. He saw out of the corner of his eye that David’s shoulders were shaking. Harriet had arranged the wedding, so it seemed only fair that she got to be part of it. She nodded, got up and left.
‘That was mean,’ David pointed out, succumbing to laughter.
‘It’s made my day a bit more bearable, though,’ Todd replied.
David did up Todd’s cufflinks and patted his shoulder reassuringly. Todd felt tears pricking his eyes. David tried one last time to talk him out of the marriage, but to no avail. Todd was reluctantly resolute.
The garden that had been chosen for the wedding ceremony had been changed beyond all recognition. The demands that were made by Katie had been met by the wedding planner down to the last detail. There were a huge number of pink trellises to match the roses she was going to carry. Arches had been erected at specific points, so Katie could stop and be looked at. There were twenty human statues whose job was to sprinkle her with pink rose petals when she walked down the long aisle and then to sprinkle the married couple again when they returned. Pink was Katie’s chosen colour, as had been made clear.
For the reception a marquee had been erected. It was the biggest marquee available; although smaller than Katie had originally wanted. Inside it was decorated with cherubim, more pink roses, heart-shaped ice sculptures and golden leaf. It was everything Katie had asked for. Todd hadn’t tried to argue; he didn’t care. Not that Katie had picked up on that.
‘It’s time, Todd.’ Todd stood up, legs shaking. David took his arm. ‘You can back out. You can stop it all now,’ he said, eyes wide.
Todd looked at him. He could run away, get out of there. He could go and start afresh, doing something, or nothing. He had the money. He could walk away now. But despite the feeling of dread that was eating up his insides, he couldn’t.
‘Let’s go.’ He moved forward. He saw disappointment cross David’s face as he moved forward too.
*
It seemed to take ages to make his way up the aisle, or whatever it was called. He smiled at strangers as he passed; although some of his work colleagues were there, he barely knew anyone that well. There were other actors, directors, producers, Katie’s friends, her giant entourage, and various people who worked at the Studio. Hollywood royalty. Everyone important. It was all so fake.
The version of the ‘Wedding March’ was longer than usual because it took Katie several minutes to reach Todd, who stood under an array of pink roses, waiting for her. As she reached him, Bernie pulled back her veil and she smiled at him. He had to admit she looked good. Her dress was the finest silk, she was like a movie star of the 1950s. He hadn’t credited her with enough taste for that. Her bridesmaids looked like frilly monstrosities, but she was beautiful. He had an urge to touch the silk, to feel how soft it was, but he held himself back. He looked at her shoes, thinking how pretty they were, before the registrar interrupted him and began the ceremony.
Owing to the size of the audience, the registrar had a microphone, which stunned Todd for a moment, and he exchanged a snigger with David. When it was time for them to repeat their vows, he held the microphone in front of them—‘Like a cheap karaoke show,’ David whispered.
Todd was an actor and he acted his socks off. He repeated his vows as if he meant them, and he even kissed her the way he kissed all his leading ladies. Afterwards, when they had signed the register and made their way down the long pink walkway, he smiled constantly as the rose petals fell on his head.
The newlyweds went straight to pose for the press and wave at the fans. As they cheered and the flashbulbs went off, Katie posed like a true professional. Todd posed like a fraud.
The reception seemed to drag on. At first they had to endure the welcoming line, which seemed to take forever. Then an hour of chatting and mingling, followed by a seven-course dinner. The speeches were so false that Todd couldn’t bear to recall any of them. He longed to get away, but he couldn’t. He and Katie were booked into the honeymoon suite of the Beverly Wilshire, and then they were flying to The Love Resort. Until they returned home, and he and Katie had separate rooms in the same house, they would be together all the time. The thought terrified him. He’d seen the predatory way she looked at him. He felt her hand where he really didn’t want it during dinner and her toes creeping up his legs in a way that did nothing for him. His wife was determined, and he wondered if it would be safe for him to sleep while she was in the same room. He feared not.
The crowds were still gathered at nine o’clock, when Katie and Todd were driven away. Despite barely getting to see them through the tinted limousine windows, they all cheered and clapped. It made him more depressed. Katie took his hand.
‘Hello, husband,’ she whispered seductively.
As Todd stared at her open-mouthed, he was literally lost for words.
7
Menu
We would not expect you to book a holiday without being fully informed. Below is a typical Love Resort dinner menu* which we hope will tickle your fancy!
STARTERS
Special salmon carpaccio with darling dill dressing
Precious prawns with sexy seafood dressing
Adoring aubergine and perfect parmesan plate
MAIN COURSE
Flirty fish of the day
Love lamb shank
Tender tomato and pasta bake (V)
All above are served with partnership potatoes and friendship fresh vegetables.
DESSERTS
Sensuous summer pudding
Frisky fresh fruit with wicked whipped cream
Together forever fritters
Official Love Resort Brochure
*Note: if you stay at The Love Resort we do not guarantee you will receive this menu.
*
‘This is what I thought,’ Lily said, handing Anne-Marie her publicity proposals as Ed looked on adoringly.
Anne-Marie almost smiled as she began to read. She had a new lease of life, Lily felt. Abigail coming had obviously cheered her up no end and she seemed happy for the first time since Lily had known her. This was making Lily feel increasingly guilty. It had been a few days since Anne-Marie had shouted at her, and being on this unfamiliar territory was unnerving her.
She had never planned to fall in love with a married man. Especially not a man who happened to be married to her boss. But it had happened. There was nothing she could do about it. As soon as she saw him she had felt something. It was weird. He was older than her, and conventionally good-looking, which she was never usually drawn to. Although she tried to ignore the attraction, to fight it, to banish it, it grew stronger until she had to give in to it. She was head over heels, there was no denying it. Lily Bailey, who had worked for some of the hottest men in Hollywood, who had dated quite a few, was in love with an older, married man, and although she had never been happier, she had also never been more confused.
Ed coughed and nodded at her, and Lily realised she’d been staring at her boss, open-mouthed. The thing was that Anne-Marie was behaving as she had when Lily had first met her. She was pleased. She was being nice. She was scaring the hell out of her.
‘Lily, dear, this all looks
wonderful.’
Lily couldn’t remember the last time her boss had complimented her, if, indeed, she ever had. ‘Thank you,’ she stammered.
‘You do realise that we’ve turned away paying guests?’ Ed cut in gruffly.
‘Oh, Ed, I wish you’d think of something other than money. The publicity this will generate will cover all the expense a thousand times over. Now, can we go through the schedule once more?’
The three sat around the small table in the office, where papers were scattered among the bottles of mineral water.
‘Todd and Katie will be arriving late at night. To deflect any gawping, we’ve arranged for a special couples’ talent competition to be held. Lily, you’re in charge of that.’
Lily grimaced to herself. A couples’ talent night would be like visiting hell.
‘In fact, Lily, you shall be the judge.’
Lily nodded. Worse than visiting hell.
‘What about me?’ Ed asked.
‘Darling, we shall be greeting our most important guests. They’ll expect it. We’ll show them personally to the honeymoon bungalow, and the only other people with us will be Marcus, who is to be their butler for the week, Erik, their chef, and Mary, their personal maid.’
‘Darling, no one has their own maid and chef on this resort,’ Ed protested.
‘This is Katie and Todd Cortes. Don’t you understand, Ed, they’re the most famous couple in the world...the universe...’ Her voice was haloed in hysteria. ‘We will give them their own staff, we will do whatever it fucking well takes to make them happy because they will fucking well make this resort the most fucking desirable fucking place in the fucking world.’ She stopped, looking as if she had shocked herself, before flicking her hair and plastering the scary smile back on her face.
‘Sorry, darling.’ Ed returned the smile.
Lily felt relieved; her boss hadn’t been taken over by an alien. All was well.
‘Where was I?’ Anne-Marie asked sweetly.
‘You said we were going to greet them with their staff.’
‘Yes, of course. Now, we shall settle them in and explain how things will work for their stay. They are on honeymoon and will largely want their privacy, but there is going to be a magazine interview, as you know, and they will be photographed in various places in the resort, including the restaurant, pool, love seats, gardens of romance and the beach. And they must eat in one of the restaurants at least once.’
‘That is a fabulous idea,’ Ed agreed, glancing knowingly at Lily. Lily knew that Anne-Marie was taking all the glory but that didn’t bother her. After all, she was stealing her husband; it seemed only fair.
‘The publicity will be invaluable. I think that we should both be present when the magazine people are there. It’ll be good for the profile of the resort if we’re there as well as Todd and Katie.’
‘Splendid idea,’ Ed boomed.
‘And you can ensure that they don’t make any digs about the resort.’ Anne-Marie shuddered.
‘Oh, they can’t. They’ve signed an agreement only to print what Katie and Todd say, along with a glowing reference to the resort. We procured that as part of the whole deal,’ Lily explained.
‘Good. Right. So moving on...The day after they arrive our competition winners will be here. Ed, what accommodation did you decide on?’
‘The hotel. I’ve reserved three sea-view rooms for them, all close together.’
‘That’s fine.’ Anne-Marie consulted the schedule that Lily had given her. ‘They arrive at five in the afternoon. Lily and you will be going to the airport to greet them. Bring them back and get them settled in. It doesn’t matter who does it.’
Lily tuned out; she knew all this. After all, she’d devised it. ‘So, once they’re all in, we’re just going to play it by ear?’ Ed asked.
‘Yes, obviously I need to keep an eye on them, for research purposes. I mean, to see how the New Love package works. I shall also be keeping a close eye on Todd and Katie. I expect you both to help me. Oh, and I want it known that any guest not respecting their privacy will be removed from the resort.’
‘That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?’
‘No. They are not going to reveal the honeymoon destination for fear of journalists infiltrating the resort, but our guests will soon realise what incredible company they are in. Now, the competition winners will be interviewed for Exclusive Holidays, with photos, but the genius is that we’re arranging it so we will be in charge.’ This was being passed off as her genius. ‘And I think that’s all for now. I need to go and see Abigail.’
*
‘Abigail, are you listening to me?’
‘Um?’
‘I said, perhaps the Hollywood star and the model actually get married on the island after a whirlwind romance.’
‘That’s a lovely idea, darling. Anne-Marie, why don’t you jot down an outline for me?’
They were sitting on the terrace, on sun-loungers, Anne-Marie with her long pink dress hitched up; Abigail, wearing a vest top and pair of shorts, her holiday uniform.
‘Abigail, why on earth would I do that? I don’t do outlines. No, as soon as they all get here I shall simply start writing. In fact, I can’t wait to get started.’ She shook her head; Abigail was clearly distracted—maybe the sun was getting to her. Anne-Marie had never seen Abigail with any colour, but she was slightly pink. It had to be the sun, otherwise why would she ask for something as preposterous as an outline?
‘You could start now.’
‘Did I not tell you? We’ve got the full works at the spa this afternoon. I thought it would be fun. And I’ve ordered lunch for us both up at the house. So, I’ll probably start tomorrow.’
‘Lovely.’ Abigail started to get up.
‘Oh, and I thought we could have dinner tonight at the restaurant—you know, show our faces. Ed insists on it.’
‘Super,’ Abigail responded.
‘And while we’re having massages I can tell you all about our latest plans. Abigail, are you sure you’re all right? You’ve got a funny look on your face.’
*
Anne-Marie dressed for dinner, aware that the lilac gown she had chosen set her eyes (or her coloured contact lenses) off brilliantly. She chose the pink diamond necklace (an anniversary present to herself ten years after first being published), then applied her make-up. She could hear Ed in his dressing room; she had told him she wanted him in a suit. There was no real reason for all this effort, but she was dining in public and liked to ensure that her party looked their best. She had arranged for herself, Ed, Abigail and Lily to dine with the rest of the managers. It was a rare occurrence, but one that Ed warranted necessary—something to do with morale. Whatever, she found it terribly boring.
Satisfied with her appearance, she walked downstairs, where she poured herself a glass of champagne from the bottle in the ice bucket and wandered on to her terrace. The view always took her breath away. The orange and pink sky heralded the be-ginning of another evening, the sea lapped beneath her. She sipped her champagne. It was as if God had made this just for her.
She sensed Ed’s presence beside her with annoyance. This was her moment, her view; she wished he wouldn’t ruin it for her; he always seemed to ruin it for her.
‘Anne-Marie, Abigail just phoned. She’s got a headache so she won’t be able to join us for dinner.’
‘Oh, the poor darling. She looked a bit off earlier. Is there anything I can do?’
‘No, she’s ordering a light supper in and having an early night. She said she’d probably go straight to bed.’
‘Fine. Then let’s go and face the ugly people.’
‘I do wish you wouldn’t call your guests that,’ Ed chastised.
‘I do wish they didn’t need to be called that,’ she snapped back.
8
Rules And Conditions Of The Love Resort
Couples must be over twenty-one.
You must have been in a relationship, together, for over three months.
A couple must be two people of the opposite sex.
‘Relations’ must be conducted in private.
Anyone found breaking these rules will be asked to leave The Love Resort.
The Love Resort Booking Form
*
‘David?’
‘Yes, what time is it?’
‘Early. Are you asleep?’
‘No, Todd, I was asleep. I got hammered with some of your friends after you left last night.’
‘At least someone had a good time,’ Todd said sulkily.
‘I have no idea if I had a good time. I can’t quite remember.’
‘Shit, hope you didn’t do anything stupid.’
‘What, like getting married? Anyway, how was the wedding night?’
‘I haven’t slept a wink. She keeps touching me.’
‘Where?’
‘It doesn’t matter where. She’s a groper. Anyway, I moved to the sofa as soon as she fell asleep, and managed to get a bit of sleep, but she scares me.’
‘I don’t blame you for that. She scares me too.’
‘Can’t you say anything to help?’
‘Not really. Not the way my head and stomach feel right now. Anyway, aren’t you supposed to be on a plane?’
‘I am on a plane. She’s in the bathroom redoing her make-up. When am I coming back?’
‘You know that, it’s two weeks.’
‘I might not still be alive by then.’
‘Try to be. Bye.’
Katie took her seat opposite Todd.
‘How are you?’ she asked, her voice full of concern.
‘Tired. I just wish we’d get there.’
‘It’s not long now,’ Katie reassured him as she picked up the booklet that they’d been given. Todd, having already read it, watched her flick through. It contained information about The Love Resort, along with details of their accommodation. Attached was a schedule.
‘We must be the only people who need a typed schedule for our honeymoon,’ she said sadly.
The Love Resort Page 5