Page 36 of The Island of Hopes and Dreams

‘But isn’t that partly the problem? Your parents aren’t wealthy or used to this lavish lifestyle. I mean, we have a chef at our beck and call at the villa. The first night party was a catered affair – it’s so far removed from the way your parents live and how you grew up. You said that yourself. Your parents are probably feeling the stress of it all in a different way to Fabs’s parents. Different lifestyles, different cultures. It’s a lot.’

‘I know, you’re right and it was my worry all along, yet I ran with it, wanting the most luxurious wedding in the most photogenic location.’

‘No one can blame you for that. And this is Fabs’s home – one of you was always going to get married away from your home country.’

‘Mum’s pissed off because she feels the focus should be on the bride and therefore the bride’s family, as weddings usually take place in the bride’s home town with the bride’s parents hosting?—’

‘Yet here it feels as if Giada has stolen her thunder.’

‘Exactly, and I can’t do anything about it now, apart from try to put out the flames and make the best of everyone living together when tempers are frayed.’

‘No wonder you needed to escape.’ Lola gazed towards the sea. The emerald shallows turned a deep blue further out where rocks emerged from the water like huge stalagmites. ‘I kinda felt like that the first evening here, although for a different reason.’

‘Ha, yes! And you ran straight into Rhys’s arms.’

‘Something like that,’ Lola said, biting back the desire to tell Mirabel the truth about her and Rhys. Now wasn’t the time. She didn’t know how she felt about Rhys, how he felt about her or what the hell they were doing to be able to explain it anyway. She held Mirabel’s hand in her lap. ‘You’re torn in every direction and don’t have any time with Fabs either. It’s no wonder you’ve reacted like this. A wedding is stressful enough, but to then be starting your married life in a completely different country and leaving every—’ Lola stopped talking as Mirabel’s face crumpled, her eyes once again damp. ‘What I’m attempting to say is try to see the positives, see beyond the stress of the lead-up to what will be the happiest day of your life. You’re so incredibly lucky, not just to be getting married to the most gorgeous and lovely guy, but to have parents who care and support you enough to go along with your dream wedding, even if it’s not what they’d have chosen, and you have in-laws who would do anything for you – it’s not just about money. They adore you because you make Fabs unbelievably happy. You have the chance to start a new exciting life in a place that people can only dream about living, and yes, you have to start from scratch job-wise, but that’s exciting too and it’s not as if you’ll have a financial pressure to go along with it. You’re choosing to work because you love what you do, but you don’t have to work if you don’t want to. There’s freedom in that.’

Mirabel pursed her lips and wedged her sunglasses in her hair. Her eyes glistened damp in the sunshine. She drew out a long breath. ‘So what you’re saying is I shouldn’t be complaining because I’m lucky and should hold my tongue and be happy.’

‘Okay, you’ve taken me the wrong way. Maybe I didn’t say it right. Everyone’s stressed, Fabs is too, although he might not show it, so everyone’s reaction is understandable, yours included.’

Mirabel pulled her hand from Lola’s and smoothed out the creases of her red dress.

At work and at home, actually in every aspect of Mirabel’s life, she was usually so unruffled. She was the dependable friend who had her shit together, and that had a lot to do with having a supportive family, her head screwed on and making wise choices. Plus she had great taste in men – not because of the way they looked, but because beneath their handsomeness they were good people. Mirabel couldn’t have asked for a better partner and fiancé in Fabs. If Lola hadn’t known him, she would have thought Mirabel had made him up because on paper he was beyond perfection. And in real life he was perfect. So yes, Lola believed Mirabel was lucky, but she also knew that didn’t mean her worries weren’t real.

‘Your upset is valid, Mirabel.’ Lola reached out and touched her arm. Mirabel’s hands stilled, pressed tight against the material covering her thighs. ‘I didn’t mean to belittle how you’re feeling. I just wanted to give you a balanced perspective because I understand how panicked you’re feeling. I’ve witnessed the stress rolling off you for weeks, increasing the closer we got to coming here. But you’ve run away today, which has Fabs worried, and me; hell, everyone will be freaking out.’ Lola watched the sea sending tiny ripples to the beach, dampening the sand and turning it honey-coloured. Her eyes travelled beyond the rocks scattered in the calm water of the bay, to the horizon, where the azure sea merged in a hazy line with the sky. She understood why Mirabel liked this beach so much – it was enclosed and majestic, beautiful and interesting. Lola turned back to her friend. ‘I also know what a panic attack feels like, and what the stress and underlying feeling of being constantly in flight-or-fight mode does to you, not being able to think straight?—’

‘Because of Jarek?’ Mirabel cut in.

‘Yes, because of him.’ Lola couldn’t bring herself to even say his name – again a defence mechanism, as if ignoring him and not talking about him would make him go away, despite what the evidence of the last couple of days had proved.

‘You’re right,’ Mirabel said. ‘I’m sorry for snapping.’

‘You have nothing to apologise for. I’d be more surprised if you weren’t stressed, I just wanted to refocus you on the positives and remind you that your parents and Fabs’s love you both and want what’s best for you, but they’re likely stressed too, which is why it’s all come to a head and made you want to get away.’

Mirabel raked her fingers through the sand between them. ‘Perhaps deep down I’m wishing I could enjoy myself like you, Deni and Sarah are, without the pressure of being the bride, of having to ensure everyone is happy, while trying to keep the peace between our families.’

‘Which is a normal and sensible reaction, wanting to enjoy the time with everyone, Fabs in particular.’

Mirabel huffed. ‘When even time for us is scarce.’

‘Well, you have an epic honeymoon in New Zealand to look forward to after all the madness is over.’

‘That I can’t wait for.’

The smile Mirabel gave reached her eyes and made the tightness in Lola’s chest loosen.

‘And if it’s any consolation, everyone’s having a wonderful time – maybe not your immediate family right now, but friends definitely are.’

Mirabel flashed her a cheeky grin. ‘Everyone can see how much you’ve been enjoying yourself – or enjoying a certain someone, I should say. But you have surprised me.’

‘Oh?’

‘Because Rhys isn’t your type.’

‘Oh, I don’t know about that?—’

‘You have a type, Lola.’ Mirabel cut her off with a shake of her head. ‘And you definitely go for looks over personality.’

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