‘No, she hasn’t,’ Cat agreed, remembering past conversations she’d had. ‘Luke told me about his life with them after his mother died. It wasn’t a particularly happy experience.’
‘I can well imagine.’ Her grandmother paused for a moment before reaching for her hand and lacing Cat’s fingers in hers. ‘My darling, I know this is difficult and I’m not going to put pressure on you like Em has, but at least think about seeing him while you’re here, will you? Make your peace with each other. Then you can return to Italy and put it all behind you.’
‘That’s exactly what Em’s been saying,’ Cat said, wondering if there was some collusion going on between her grandmother and great-aunt. ‘I can’t promise anything but I will give it some thought,’ was all she would commit to.
Later, as she walked back to the hotel, she wondered how a simple thing like attending Em’s birthday celebration had suddenly become so complicated.
Chapter Thirty-One
Standing at the door to the main function suite with Siobhan, Cat’s face broke into a wide smile.
‘Brilliant,’ she said, giving her ex-assistant a hug. ‘I couldn’t have done better myself.’
The white and yellow theme for the room, reflected in the starched tablecloths, bunting and fresh flowers, looked absolutely perfect. Cutlery and glass gleamed, while stands of trailing roses graced each doorway, and over in the far corner an artificial ceiling peppered with tiny lights, and a glitter ball, added the finishing touches to the dance area.
‘I’m still not sure about the disco.’ Siobhan tapped her chin thoughtfully as she studied the corner in question. ‘Not quite right, is it?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, I know that was one of your father’s requests but I thought the live music act might be more her style. The girl singer I found comes highly recommended. She specialises in a lot of the old stuff.’
‘What do you mean, old stuff?’
‘Well, you know, Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald.’
‘Siobhan, that’s forties music. Em would probably have more in common with the sixties. The Beatles … free love … hippies, that era.’
Siobhan’s pale ginger eyebrows rose in astonishment. ‘Well, to look at her you’d never have guessed she was involved with that kind of crowd. I mean love-ins and suspicious substances? Surely not?’
‘No, Siobhan.’ Cat resisted the urge to laugh out loud as she tried to imagine Em dressed up in beads and a long skirt, flowers in her hair as she danced around, spliff in hand. ‘I’m simply trying to put the whole thing into perspective. What I’m saying is, Aunt Em can probably strut her stuff very well … after a few glasses of bubbly, of course.’
‘Oh well, there’s plenty of that,’ Siobhan said enthusiastically. ‘Nathan placed the order well in advance.’
‘And how many are we expecting?’
‘Just over a hundred. Ruan gave me the job of tracking down a lot of old friends, some of whom have moved away from the area. A real Sherlock Holmes job, it was.’ She grinned. ‘There are around fifty staying. Should be a good night. I hope she has a great time.’
‘Oh, she will,’ Cat said as they closed the doors and made their way back along the corridor. ‘I can guarantee it will be a night to remember.’
Later that evening she recalled that moment and those fateful words.
It was a wonderful party with a five-course dinner and wine. Em sat with Gerren, Jenna and Ruan, all smiles as she caught up with people she had not seen for many years. Every new arrival had been welcomed with a cry of delight followed by a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Her great-aunt was truly in her element.
‘Look at her, she’s enjoying every moment of this,’ Jodie whispered in Cat’s ear, nodding toward Em’s table where she sat surrounded by well-wishers.
‘I think it’s great,’ she whispered back, ‘meeting all these old friends, catching up with news and, maybe, making arrangements to keep in touch. I’m hoping something worthwhile comes from this evening.’
‘In more ways than one,’ Jodie said, not taking her eyes off Em.
‘And what do you mean by that?’ Cat was instantly alert. Jodie’s tone spoke of something that had nothing to do with Em. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Luke. He’s here.’ Cat ignored her friend’s grin. ‘You didn’t think Em would leave him off the guest list, did you?’
‘What?’ Cat looked around the room, instantly alert. ‘Where?’
‘Over there in the far corner.’
Cat followed the direction of Jodie’s nod and could just make him out, tucked into a seat, his back against the wall, chatting to Benita. ‘I don’t see Mia.’ She turned back, confused. ‘Why isn’t she here with him?’
