Page 29 of Date with Destiny

‘Ugh!’ Celeste throws up her beautifully manicured hands. ‘That’s soboringof you.’ She turns away to talk to Shawn and Toni instead. Shawn glares at me and I look away. We’re faux nice to each other but I’ve never had a good vibe from the guy. He’s always so…performative. I usually try to see the best in people and give them several chances, but he’s had enough. I wish my sister could see that too.

Myfanwy looks at me curiously. ‘Did you say you haven’t cancelled your honeymoon? When were you meant to be flying? You were going to Madeira, right?’

I nod, thinking how beautiful and romantic it all looked when we booked the holiday. It’s the final thing that needs sorting out from the wedding, but I haven’t been able to face it.

She elbows me, leaning into my ear. ‘You know you’re due a life-changing trip, right?’

I stare at her, the words sinking in. She thinks I should go on myhoneymoon? On myown?

Myfanwy leans back into my ear, ‘What about—’

We’re interrupted by a kerfuffle breaking out behind us, among the guests –guests? Audience? Fans?– and we turn en masse with curiosity. There are several men in a pew halfway back engaged in what looks like a heated argument. Faces are red, voices are raised, and I can see tension pulsing between them even from our position in the front row.

I glance at Celeste and she looks delighted. ‘Oh mygod,’ she breathes out, thrilled.

Then one shoves another and the crowd draws away, horrified. A man falls backwards, sprawled across the floor, as another bloke steps back and throws a punch at the shover. It’s mayhem for a minute and I lose sight of the action.

‘What the hell is going on?’ Myfanwy murmurs as our group moves into the aisle.

I can hear shouting, but there are now too many people in the way. I turn to the tallest of us.

‘Toni,’ I stage-whisper, ‘are they literally fighting? What’s happening?’

‘Erm,’ her head moves back and forth, following theaction. ‘There seems to be four main guys involved, and then the rest of them are trying to get in between, to stop the fight, I think.’ Next to her, Shawn tries to puff up to her height. ‘I better get involved,’ he says with genuine seriousness, and Sonali covers a snort.

‘Leave this to me, Celeste,’ he says in a deep voice, stepping forward.

‘Don’t, Shawny!’ Toni calls after him. Her protests are quickly redundant as he can’t get through the crowds. He returns sullen-faced back to our spot glowering at Myfanwy’s smirk.

‘What’s happening now?’ Sonali asks, as Toni’s eyes remain riveted to a spot beyond heads blocking my way. ‘Ooh, now the priest is getting involved!’

‘YOU’RE A LIAR!’ I hear one of the voices raised loud above the din.

‘Uh-oh, the priest just slapped one of them,’ Toni informs us.

‘I could’ve slapped them,’ Shawn pouts.

‘Maybe we should, er, try to do something about this?’ I suggest and Celeste sighs dramatically.

‘Do we have to?’ she whines, looking annoyed. ‘I’m sure this whole thing was orchestrated by Diane; I think she’s enjoying it immensely.’

‘I’m sure she is,’ I hedge. ‘But I’m also worried we might have another death – if not one of the men fighting, then the very elderly priest.’

‘Ugh, Isupposeyou’re right,’ she concedes, pulling herselfup to her full height. ‘Right!’ She strides with determination into the crowd. Celeste is a foreboding presence, even when she isn’t the grieving sibling of the deceased. And much to Shawn’s fury, moments later, the room parts for her. At last, we can all see the four sulky, slightly damaged men at the heart of all this, standing in a line.

‘Now WHAT was that all about?’ Celeste has the tone of a furious headteacher, scolding naughty schoolboys.

‘He’s a LIAR,’ one of them quickly snarls and I recognize the raised voice from the fight.

‘HE is!’ The rebuttal is livid.

‘Shut up!’ Celeste is having none of it. ‘What are you all lying to each other about?’

There is a painful silence before Naughty Schoolboy Number One pipes back up. ‘He says he’s been dating Diane for three years.’

Oh! This is a surprise; I had no idea my aunt had a boyfriend. I wonder if he’s the Cher impersonator.

‘Ihave!’ comes the reply from Naughty Schoolboy Number Two.

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