Cat watched as the room burst into loud applause and one of the waitresses wheeled in a trolley bearing a large white iced cake covered in cascades of delicate sugared flowers. As Em caught sight of it she clapped her hands, her face a picture of surprise and gratitude as she looked across at Ruan and mouthed,thank you so much.
Ruan handed back the mic and stepped down from the platform, walking over to join Em and his parents at their table. The cake had now reached them. Picking up a large silver-handled knife lying beside it, the waitress handed it to Ruan. Em got to her feet and he handed it over, watching her carefully cut into it as everyone stood and sangHappy Birthday,which ended with loud applause.
As Ruan moved back to the DJ’s platform and retrieved the mic, the cake was wheeled away for cutting up and waiters appeared with trays of champagne, serving each guest with aglass of freshly poured bubbly. He stood patiently until the last waiter had left and then proposed a toast to his aunt, which had the whole room on their feet once more. As they settled back down he began to speak.
‘Em, I know you have missed Gerren and Jenna since their move to France,’ he said, looking across to where she sat. ‘In fact, at times it’s been quite lonely here for you. The family has therefore decided to treat you to a holiday. And not just any holiday.’ He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a large envelope. ‘A transatlantic cruise, with Gerren and Jenna keeping you company. A whole month visiting America and Canada.’
Ruan made his way over to his aunt, leaned in to kiss her cheek and handed her the envelope. Jenna wrapped an arm around her sister-in-law’s shoulder, their heads close together as Em stared at the envelope, brushing away tears from her eyes.
‘Such a great thing to do for her,’ Luke remarked. ‘She’s an amazing lady.’
‘Yes.’ Cat squeezed his hand. ‘She never lost faith in you, you know. She was the voice of reason; one I should have listened to.’
‘Never mind,’ he said, pulling her close and kissing her, ‘that’s all behind us now. We have a whole future to think about.’
As a stream of waitresses arrived with cake for each table, the DJ went back to his music. The opening bars of something warm and romantic flooded the room and Luke drew Cat into his arms once more, manoeuvring her out onto the dance floor. She closed her eyes, resting her head against his shoulder as the music took hold. This is a perfect evening, she told herself. I have everything in the world I could ever want and this time nothing is going to spoil it.
It was nearly ten thirty as Luke led Cat to the edge of the dance floor. ‘Do you mind if I leave you for a moment? There’s someone I have to see,’ he said, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
Cat nodded and watched him ease himself through the dancers, homing in on Em, who was sitting alone with a glass of wine, a faraway expression on her face. She looked up as Luke arrived, then listened intently as he leaned in to speak to her. Cat saw her smile and get to her feet. Within seconds, she was partnering him on the floor. It was then, beyond a doubt, that Cat saw what had been lost in all the hurt and confusion of a year ago. That, despite his disadvantaged upbringing, Luke Carrack really was a decent man. One she realised she loved and wanted to spend the rest of her life with. If he’d have her, of course. Silly thought, she decided, remembering the passion in his kiss when she’d apologised and told him there was no one else she wanted to be with. That there never had been.
As she made her way around the edge of the dance floor she caught sight of Raphael sitting with Jodie. Something in his expression as he caught sight of her made her stop for a moment. He looked devastated; as if he’d received the worst possible news. Hurrying to join him, she slid into her seat, reaching for his hand.
‘Raphael, what’s happened?’
Jodie shook her head. ‘He’s just returned from seeing Étienne. This is how I found him. Goodness knows what’s been said to upset him. He’s as white as a sheet. Actually, I think he could do with a brandy.’
As Jodie grabbed her purse and left, Cat tried again. ‘Raphael, please, tell me what’s wrong.’
‘I have done something terrible.’
Cat could see the anguish in his face. ‘I don’t understand, what is it? What have you done?’
He shook his head, his teeth grazing his lower lip nervously. ‘Étienne … it is all my fault. I have been a fool. I should have remained silent. I should not have said what I did.’
She was about to ask him exactly what he’d said and why it had upset Étienne so much when Nathan arrived.
‘Dad’s sent me to get you,’ he said, his gaze settling on Raphael before shifting back to Cat. ‘Says it’s urgent.’
‘I’m on my way.’ She patted the young Italian on the shoulder as she got to her feet. ‘Jodie’s getting you a brandy,’ she told him. ‘Stay there, I won’t be long.’
Raphael shook his head miserably as he gazed up at her. ‘I am sorry, Cat, I have caused so much trouble.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon and then you can tell me all about it. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think.’
‘What does Dad want?’ she asked Nathan as they scooted around the edge of the dance floor.
‘Not sure. He called me to say he was in the Tintagel Suite with Étienne and Gareth. Something’s wrong. I could hear raised voices in the background.’
‘I wonder what they’re arguing about?’
‘No idea, but I think it may be connected to the reason Raphael is so upset.’
Passing the bar, she stopped to let Jodie know where she was going. ‘Luke’s out on the dance floor with Em,’ she told her. ‘We’ve patched things up. Tell him I won’t be long, will you?’
‘Hooray for common sense.’ Jodie threw her arms around her and gave her a hug before Nathan prised them apart. ‘Sorry, we gotta go,’ he said.
Easing her way through the last of the people in the banqueting suite, Cat left the noise and music behind, making her way down the corridor and through reception. Reaching the Tintagel Suite, they stopped as they heard the sound of loud voices beyond the closed door.
