idea. But itâs not looking good.â All around them people were whispering to each other, buzzing with anticipation and speculating as to what could have happened. Joel was dazed and shaken, the picture of a broken man. The bridesmaid was deep in conversation with him, talking rapidly and waving her arms like an Italian street seller. A short distance away from them, Evie was now hugging the couple Lara guessed must be Joelâs parents. The inexpertly fastened silver combs were falling out of her hair. As she lifted the hem of her skirt off the ground and turned, making her way toward the guests assembled at the entrance to the church, she seemed calm.
âUm, hello, everyone.â She paused, cleared her throat, then continued. âRight, well, as youâve probably noticed by now, this wedding isnât exactly going according to plan.â Behind her Joel was climbing into the passenger seat of the limo; glancing round, Evie saw him speaking to the chauffeur. Taking a deep breath, she went on. âIn fact, it isnât going ahead, period. Sometimes ,â she raised her voice to be heard over the gasps of dismay, âitâs the only thing to do. So look, Iâm really sorry but me and Joel wonât be getting married today. Or any other day. But seeing as everythingâs laid out ready at the hotel, the reception is still on and youâre all very welcome to head on over there for food, drink, dancing, and well, probably a fair amount of gossip. And I hope youâll have fun anyway, so it wonât have been a completely wasted day.â At this point her voice began to wobble. âYou can all have a lovely partyâ¦â Briefly overcome, she searched the gathering then spotted Lara and beckoned her over.
âMe?â Lara pointed to her own chest to make sure. Why would Evie choose to single her out?
âYes, please.â Evie nodded rapidly and beckoned again.
âDonât disappear,â said Flynn. âWe have to talk. My God, I just flew in from Australia⦠if I hadnât made it back, Iâd have missed youâ¦â
But Lara was already squeezing through the milling crowd at the foot of the church steps. She made her way over to Evie, who held out her arms to her.
âIâm so sorry. And you came all this way. Are you staying down here tonight or going back?â
Up close, Evieâs makeup was weird, almost clown-like. And she was trembling like a baby bird; Lara could feel her racing pulse as they clasped hands. âI was going to stay.â Sheâd got a bargain price on a last-minute booking at the five-star Ellison. âBut I wonât now. Where do you want to go?â
Evieâs face crumpled with gratitude. âI donât know. Anywhere. I think itâs my turn to disappear.â
âNo problem. My carâs just down the road. Come on, weâll leave now.â
Out of the corner of her eye, Lara glimpsed Flynn as, together, she and Evie made their way down the tree-lined drive.
Evie murmured, âIs everyone watching us?â
âOh yes. Weâre the center of attention. Itâs like that last scene in The Graduate .â
âAnd theyâve no idea who you are.â A glimmer of a smile lifted the corners of Evieâs mouth. âTheyâre going to think weâre a couple of lesbians running off together.â
A hundred yards down the road they reached the car and jumped in. As Lara was maneuvering them out of the tight parking space, a white Audi pulled up in the road with its indicator flashing, waiting for the space to become free.
âJust hang on a minute.â Evie put a restraining hand on Laraâs once theyâd snaked out into the road. She waited until the Audi had squeezed into the vacated space, then buzzed down the passenger window, and stuck her head out. âMum, itâs OK, you donât have to bother getting out of the