My neck starts to ache but I watch as they re-cheers. I can only see the back of her head, but I can see Zack’s expression turning from annoyed to pleased. My stomach squirms a little, though I’m not sure why.
Meanwhile, Lucas laughs and claps his big hands together once. ‘Let’s not start this off with bad luck! It’s always good to be cautious.’ I wonder if he always sounds like this, or is this his television presenter voice?
‘We’re here tonight to explain to you all how the next section of the show is going to work. As engaged couples, you each have a starting wedding budget of twenty thousand pounds!’ cries Karina excitedly.
There’s a chorus ofoohs, and I join in even though I have no idea if this is a good amount of money for a wedding or not. It just seems like a huge sum to me.
‘Throughout your time in the villa, and beyond, you’ll have the chance to win extra money for your budget,’ Lucas continues.
‘But,’ Karina’s voice turns cold and serious, ‘put a few steps wrong, and you might get hit with apenaltytoo.’
God, I wish I’d watched this show before I came on it because I have no idea what’s going on. Patrick mugs pantomime shock, and the others perform similar overegged reactions. I can’t read the truth in it.
I risk a glance in Dolly’s direction, and I can see she’s not happy about something.
‘As you know, you’ll be sharing not just the honeymoon villa, but thebedroomwith your fellow couples.’
What? All ten of us in one room?
‘We see it as an opportunity for PG-rated group bonding,’ Lucas continues with a laugh. ‘And in the daytime, you’ll be competing against the other couples to win prizes for your wedding. We’ll be testing your compatibility, your ability to work together,andhow much you guys are into each other.’
I feel a bit strange when Lucas waggles his eyebrows.
‘And if you and your fiancé don’t keep within PG boundaries in the villa,’ continues Karina with a warning tone. Dolly sits up a little straighter. ‘Thenallof you will suffer a penalty to your wedding budgets.’
Oh.
Gasps and complaints sound all around us.
‘Oh my God,’ whispers Bridget. Her fiancé Jackson looks like someone just died.
Even Warren makes a convincing complaint noise.
‘That’s right, folks, it isn’t time to explore each other’s bodies,’ says Lucas smugly. ‘Just yet. It’s still all to come.’
‘Haha, cum,’ laughs Zack, and I feel like I want to strangle him.
God, can these people not hang on a few more days? It’s not that big a deal, right? I look at Patrick and I’m obviously attracted to him, but I’m not ready to sleep with him. Especially not in a bedroom with eight other people in it.
I know, hypocrite, but still.
I was mentally preparing for the new sensations of sharing a bedroom with Patrick. Sharing a room between ten of us—
Patrick touches my wrist, sending a jolt of electricity running through me. It’s not a romantic firework; it feels like a taser. I startle, flicking both my arms akimbo, which manage to knock over two of the four glasses directly in front of me, Diet Coke spilling all over the white tablecloth, and all over Patrick.
I want to cry. I jump up, trying to clear up the mess. But there’s nothing to mop it with, so I’m just moving glasses away from the liquid splashing everywhere. ‘Oh God, I’m so sorry.’
Patrick is somehow next to me. ‘It’s okay, Carys.’ His voice is so soothing it makes me want to cry more.
I stand numbly, unable to move, and he wraps his arms around me, squeezing tightly. The pressure quietens the frenetic buzzing in my brain, just enough that I can breathe. It’s not quite a meltdown, or a panic attack, but I feel sick and tired and on the edge of one or the other.
‘It’s alright,’ Patrick repeats, stroking my back like he might comfort a scared animal. Perhaps that’s what he likes in me: I’m just as feral as some of his patients.
It was just a startle, I tell myself. It wasn’thim. I was just too het up to process a sudden touch.
When I turn back, a waitress has cleaned up and production have managed to reset our table with a new tablecloth and drinks. Patrick once again holds a chair out for me. It’s like nothing ever happened, except for his damp shirt.
‘Let’s reset and get Patrick a new shirt?’ a voice calls.
