Page 28 of Confetti and Confusion

‘Oh, Imogen must be really stressed out.’

‘I’m not sure about Imogen – all she wants to do is to marry Alex, and she can do that minus a cake and a few wedding favours. She’s not in the least bit concerned about all the bells and whistles, but her mum Julia is obsessed with the details, right down to the release of a kaleidoscope of butterflies when they exchanged their vows.’

‘So where are the wedding party today?’

‘I’m not absolutely sure. I got a text from Imogen to say she couldn’t make it, so Ella and I decided to whip up a few dozen of our amazing cupcakes instead; there’s a batch for you to hand out your customers with their coffees and a batch to take up to the hotel to cheer Julia up.’

‘Nothing like a sweet treat to bring a smile to your face! Thanks, Millie. You and Ella are really kind. I’m so lucky to have friends like you. Oh, I’m really going to miss you when you leave, Millie. And, I’m sure I’m not the only one.’ Lottie’s eyes held a twinkle of mischief. ‘How’s Zach? We haven’t seen him in the bar all week. Dylan was asking if you’ve got him locked away in that wooden lodge of his. Have you been keeping him busy with the cookery school stuff?’

‘I… erm… no I haven’t, actually.’ Millie felt her stomach give an uncomfortable lurch as the disturbing image of Zach with his arms entwined round Clio’s slender waist amidst the palm trees floated across her vision. ‘His girlfriend has arrived from the UK.’

‘His girlfriend?’ Lottie spluttered. ‘Zach hasn’t got a girlfriend. If you’re talking about Clio, they finished, like, months ago. He told Dylan all about their break-up before he came over to St Lucia – how she gave him an ultimatum about producing an engagement ring, so he decided it was the kindest thing to do to end the relationship before she got hurt even more.Andhadn’t she met a new guy? I heard that snippet of news straight from Zach’s mouth and so did you! Didn’t he propose to her at the top of the Eiffel Tower? I distinctly remember thinking how romantic that would be.’

‘I know, I’m confused too. I don’t know the details, I just know that Clio is here and Zach’s happy about it.’

Lottie’s face screamed scepticism, but she didn’t have the chance to contradict Millie’s interpretation because Millie’s phone had sprung into life.

‘Hi, Imogen.’ Millie paused, resting her eyes on Ella’s. ‘No, it’s no problem. Imogen, really, you don’t have to apologise. Ella and I absolutely understand. In fact, we were on our way up to the hotel with a basket full of cupcakes to cheer everyone up. Great, then we’ll see you in thirty minutes.’

Chapter Fifteen

‘Wow, I thought Claudia’s plantation house was picturesque, but this place is truly stunning,’ said Millie, belatedly drawing her mouth closed as she surveyed the luxury boutique hotel surrounded by manicured tropical gardens and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pitons and the infinite expanse of the Caribbean Sea.

‘Spectacular,’ murmured Ella.

Millie stood on the pathway – lined with a welcome guard of honour fashioned from palm trees – and drank in the scene. A veil of tranquillity wrapped its tendrils around her shoulders and the stress of the day melted from her temples. To her left was an area of decking laid out with wooden sun loungers and umbrellas overlooking the reason the hotel had been built there in the first place – probably the best view on the whole island.

All around her, the soft melody of birdsong was accompanied by the rustle of leaves and the faint tinkle of running water from a nearby fountain. It was an oasis of calm in a chaotic world. She felt like she had fallen asleep and been transported to the Garden of Eden.

‘Come on, we can’t stay here. Imogen is expecting us,’ Millie whispered, fearful of raising her voice and disturbing the peace. She slotted her arm through Ella’s and, following the hand-carved signposts, guided them along the meandering gravel pathways through the hotel’s grounds to the outside bar where Imogen had arranged for them to meet for a drink.

When they arrived, Millie almost laughed out loud.

With all its rustic charm, the bar at the Purple Parrot quite clearly occupied the opposite end of the spectrum from the drinking establishment that had emerged from within a canopy of glossy palm trees. With polished wooden floors and matching furniture, the place reeked of opulence and elegant splendour. The white muslin curtains, hung from the eaves to the floor, had been drawn back with twisted silk ties woven with gold threads. A large wooden trunk loitered in the corner with the word “Games” stencilled along the side. Millie experienced a sudden urge to investigate but before she could do so, Imogen rushed into the bar.

‘Millie! Ella! Oh, it’s wonderful to see you.’

The bride-to-be exchanged kisses with them both. She looked stunning in an ivory linen sundress that just about skimmed her shapely thighs. Millie glanced down at her white capri pants and striped scarlet tee-shirt and wondered why she hadn’t been bestowed with a slice of the body-confidence pie. Then she reminded herself that Imogen had probably spent most of the last year preparing for the forthcoming weekend, so it was no surprise she looked so polished.

‘Thank you so much for coming. Are those the cupcakes you told me about on the phone? Oh, they look amazing! Gracie will love them.’

A white-jacketed waiter arrived with a silver tray holding a pitcher of mango juice and several crystal glasses. Millie thought of the psychedelic sludge Travis had served them earlier and smiled.

‘Thanks George. Do you think you could bring us a bottle of Laurent Perrier, please?’

‘Yes, madam.’

The last thing Millie needed was to indulge in more alcohol. She was still experiencing the after-effects of the white rum cocktail and if she added a glass or two of champagne to the mix she would be asleep all afternoon. While she didn’t have anything other than a sun lounger calling her name, she wanted to make the most of every remaining moment at the villa and in the swimming pool before she boarded her flight back to the UK. Who knew when she would next see the sunshine?

‘This hotel is absolutely gorgeous,’ said Ella, sipping her mango juice, taking in her surroundings, clearly storing away every tiny detail so she could relate it all back to Denise later.

‘It is,’ smiled Imogen, staring at the view, the dark rings beneath her eyes apparent to even the most unobservant onlooker.

‘Where are the men today?’ asked Millie.

‘Gone to watch a cricket match in the village. They should be back in an hour or so.’

The Champagne arrived, along with Julia and Karen, and Millie had an idea.

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