19
‘Mandeep, I’ll help you carry Libs to her room,’ Big Sue commands. ‘Cherry, you can stay with her. This is no situation for a pregnant lady. Matteo and Connie, you’d better warn Luke what’s happening, and see about getting that video evidence back. Did anyone see the photographer’s name badge? Ged and Liam, we’ll use your room as headquarters.’
‘Roger that,’ says Big Mand dutifully.
‘Roger that,’ says Ged. At least all this talk of being jailed for murder has snapped him out of his sulk with me. ‘Although we need to make sure Franz isn’t there.’
‘You have a naked butler in your room even when you’re not there?’ asks Big Sue.
‘He likes to write poetry between shifts. He’s a jobbing actor-slash-model. He’s very sensitive. I’d hate to subject him to this horror show.’
‘I’ll give Luke a call,’ I say, realising for the first time that I’m still holding my bouquet. ‘If I can remember where I put my phone.’
‘It’s in the room,’ says Matteo. ‘You gave it to me before we got…’ He leaves the sentence hanging. He obviously can’t bring himself to say the M word.
‘Right.’ My hands are shaking, and my head feels heavy. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, only that he has a disappointed air about him. Is that for me or this situation? I can feel everyone watching our stilted interaction. ‘I’ll head there now and ring him from our room,’ I say quickly. I need to get out of here before it stifles me. I can’t bear to see that look in Matteo’s eyes a moment longer. ‘I need to change anyway.’
‘No time,’ barks Big Sue. ‘Sorry, Connie, pet. Time is of the essence here. Luke’s life could depend on your finding him before Hank Junior does.’
I gulp.
Ged and Liam form plans for a search party with Big Sue and Big Mand. I listen in a sort of daze as they agree to split up and do a sweep of the casino, the reception and bars between them.
‘I’ll meet you in Ged and Liam’s room,’ I say. I can hear the break in my voice. I need to keep it together. I take a deep breath in and force a smile. ‘I’ll WhatsApp you how I get on.’
‘No.’ Cherry puts a hand up. ‘WhatsApp is compromised. It’s like giving a running report straight to the police. You might as well sling yourself in jail now and throw away the key.’
Cherry is being very dramatic, and it is not helping.
‘Okay. What do you suggest?’ I say sharply. ‘Telepathy?’
She raises an eyebrow.
‘Right. Sorry. I’m a bit… all over.’ I’ve made a right tit of myself. I just can’t believe I’m into my first hour of married life and this is what’s happening. I should be having my garter twanged and a champagne toast, not trying to find a bloody killer and prevent a murder. I can’t even make eye contact with any of them. Deep down, this whole Luke mess is all my fault.
‘Wait,’ says Matteo, striding over to me. ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘No. It’s fine. I’ll manage.’
He reaches out to gently take my arm. ‘Look, I know this is all’ – he blows out his cheeks – ‘completely insane, but at least let me come with you, in case Hank Junior shows up for Luke.’
That’s a good point, but his words about needing some space echo in my mind.
‘Thought you needed space?’
‘Doyouneed space?’ he asks.
‘I’m not the one who’s furious about being married.’
‘Who said anything about being furious?’
‘Your face did.’
‘My face told you I was furious? Myfacehad a conversation with you without me knowing about it?’
He’s being facetious and this is absolutely not the time. My nerves are in shreds as it is.
‘Well maybe Idoneed some space, if you’re going to be like that about it.’
