‘No,’ I say carefully. ‘If you check the itinerary, I booked SlotZilla for day one. Day two, roller disco. Day three, the High Roller and day four, Grand Canyon Safari. Day five, optional shopping day, or Omega Mart, before we do the birthday gig for Eddie at Talent Star. And day six, fly home.’
‘But it was my idea to book the Happy Half Hour Cabin,’ she says stubbornly.
Sister Kevin is standing behind her dressed smartly in chinos and a polo shirt. He looks very uncomfortable but at least his bust nose from the roller disco is healing nicely. ‘And then we have something special planned that we are doing.’
‘What’s that?’ asks Big Mand.
Sister Kevin’s cheeks immediately redden. He fiddles with the neckline of his polo shirt and loosens the button. ‘Erm, it’s a birthday surprise.’
‘Exactly how old are you?’ Big Sue demands.
‘Oh, for God’s sake. We haven’t got time for this!’ Tash yells. ‘To the limo. Let’s go.’
Matteo raises his eyebrows at me. I bet he wishes he’d not bothered agreeing to come to this. But at least Tash and Sister Kevin won’t be around to witness our wedding.
‘And you can talk!’ Tash bellows, pointing at Matteo, who’s dressed in a casual dark denim shirt rolled up to his forearms, khaki combat shorts and sneakers. He looks magnificent but I suppose she has a point.
‘I’ve invited Hank Junior,’ says Liberty, standing with a hand on her hip. ‘He also won’t be in costume. Anyone got a problem with that?’
Dear Lord.
‘No,’ Ged and Liam say wearily in unison. ‘Everyone else seems to be fine with hijacking our trip. But you do know you’re on a pre-moon,nota stag do?’
* * *
Once the happy group have rained on Ged and Liam’s parade, it’s time to hurry to the waiting limo. Hank Junior joins us as we fly past the huge sphere artwork at reception. Liberty must have allowed him to wear his normal clothes today, and we are all impressed. Hank Junior scrubs up very nicely. He is all head-to-toe expensive designer clothes. The sharp lines and soft fabrics of luxury brands mould to his tanned and athletic body. The latest must-haves are on his feet. We pile in the limo.
‘You sure as heck are funny, taking a limo,’ Hank remarks. Talk turns politely to the High Roller and who has been on it before. Hank Junior gives us a list of what famous landmarks to look out for on our way round the world’s tallest ever Ferris wheel.
‘I might get motion sickness, and I have a fear of heights,’ says Cherry.
How has this not come up already?
‘Connie, did you bring sick bags or are they included in the ride?’
‘I’m not great with heights either,’ adds Big Mand.
What? This is news to me!
‘We could wait on the ground for them?’ suggests Big Sue. ‘We could do some sight… seeing. While Libs looks after Cherry?’
The way she says sightseeing sounds weird. They are exchanging secretive glances. Oh. My. God. They are going to sneak off to buy engagement rings or get married or something. There’s only room enough in the schedule for one couple to slope off behind everyone’s backs and that’s me and Matteo. Luckily, Tash is quick to pounce.
‘No. We are celebrating Kev’s BIG birthday and that’s final. It won’t be any fun if you lot don’t come.’
The rest of us try not to take offence. All too soon, just three minutes later due to a slight hold-up in the traffic, and we arrive at the giant wheel, dotted with pods large enough to accommodate forty people each.
We clamber out, embarrassed. ‘Connie, pet. How did you not know the hotel is practically next door to a giant wheel?’ Cherry asks.
‘We have had a lot going on,’ I say, smiling through gritted teeth.
‘And it’s been excellent so far,’ says Ged. ‘Hasn’t it, Liam? Franz has been the icing on the cake.’
As far as I can tell, they’ve hung out with Franz in their luxury suite more than they’ve been out and about.
‘Brilliant. He’s simply brilliant,’ says Liam, craning his neck to peer up into the sky. ‘Who knew there was all this going on in Vegas?’
Me. I knew. I have put a watertight schedule together.
