Page 43 of The Bridesmaid
‘Don’t actually drink the champagne,’ warns Silky, as I take a sip, and wince. ‘It’s lemon-juice and baking soda, to give it sparkles in the pictures.’
Adrianna smiles, waiting for all eyes to fall on her. ‘It’s so incredible to have you all here,’ she says. ‘I am just so grateful you could be with me at this special time in my life. Thank you all so much.’ She clasps her hands to her heart, still beaming.
Wow. You’d actually think she knew and liked all these people.
‘Here’s toElysium!’ She raises her glass.
I move to touch mine against Silky’s, who stands the nearest to me, but Fitzwilliam subtly holds my arm and shakes his head.
‘Justraiseit,’ he whispers. ‘Never chink.’
‘We’ve gotsomuch to show you,’ gushes Adrianna. ‘The whole island has been rebooted for the new generation. There’s a beachgym, a whole new restaurant and bar at Fortune House. Ophelia has also masterminded a brand new detox lounge, called Daybreak. So we can get over our little indulgences.’ She smiles mischievously. ‘It’s equipped with vitamin drips, detox juices, steam rooms, an oxygen bar, and everything you need to get ready for another big night.’ She brings her pink nails together. ‘Then. Our new secret bar. Sepulcrum.’
Is it just me, or did Adrianna’s voice just catch?
‘Every Kensington club has to have a secret room, right?’ She fixes Petra’s lens with a beaming smile, then clears her throat and readjusts her sunglasses.
Fitzwilliam and I exchange glances: we can still make it.
Adrianna’s manicured hand closes around her own undrinkable prop. She checks the camera is on her. Turns to her bridesmaids.
‘Welcome to Elysium. We’re going to send out a clear message.’ Adrianna’s voice is raised, but the key is slightly off. Forced. ‘I am Adrianna-fucking-Kensington! I am gettingmarriedthis week! Murderers arenotinvited!’
Petra snaps away furiously.
There’s a smatter of uneasy laughter. Adrianna lifts her glass to uncertain light applause, and I notice her hand is shaking. Seems the speech is over, but it’s a strange moment to stop. It takes Petra a few seconds to realize she can lower her camera. Adrianna’s smile falls with it.
Ophelia smoothes the awkwardness by whooping enthusiastically, and the clapping intensifies, but the sour edge to the atmosphere lingers.
‘Time to go.’ Georgia gathers up the undrunk glasses.
Finally.
‘A little housekeeping,’ adds Georgia. ‘We’re two days early, sothere are some things that are unfinished. We’re going to have to travel the first part on foot, since the road isn’t ready for vehicles yet so I’m afraid we’re going to have to walk. And there’s still construction work happening in places, so stay on the grounds. Luggage will go straight to your rooms.’
‘We’rewalking?’ Petra demands. My eyes drop to her high-heeled shoes.
‘Yes, and it’s very important we stay together,’ Georgia’s slim brown hand is raised for our attention, a discreet scatter of diamond and ruby rings catching the golden sun.
‘The island is still being developed. Please don’t go exploring past the main grounds. There are armed guards protecting the island and they can be a little … unpredictable. We don’t want anyone getting shot by mistake.’ Her perpetually anxious expression tightens further at the thought of this.
‘You’re notseriouslysuggesting your guards would shoot a guest?’ scoffs Petra.
‘I wouldn’t take the risk,’ says Georgia, her owlish eyes earnest. ‘They’re armed mercenaries Dad rustled up last minute from Colombia. Not the nicest of men.’
‘Leopold got an armed guard here, but no transport to the house?’ demands Petra. I’m guessing her silver high heels are already killing her.
‘We’re Kensington Manor School girls,’ says Adrianna lightly. ‘We can handle a little hardship, right? Fine metal withstands great heat.’ But I detect a slight hint of pleasure as her eyes tack to Petra’s stricken face.
There’s a strange, loaded pause.
‘OK,’ Adrianna trills, ‘let’s get walking.’
Chapter Thirty-Three
ADRIANNA
I’d forgotten how the slow heat of Elysium consumes you a little piece at a time. The walk through the jungle is uphill and humid. Vines and tree branches snake in at face level.
