Chapter 31 Flynn
I hurry alongside Trish down the red-carpeted corridor of the hotel, chandeliers twinkling. Amy and I need more time, to work out what to do. She tells me to act like her but I’m not sure I can – what does that mean? I think of all the things I know about houses and music and wonder if that will be enough.
I also realize I’ve left my mobile behind – women’s clothes never seem to have pockets, which is so annoying. I really need to check in with Karim and Bex about today’s events – I shouldn’t leave them to deal with magician disasters and angry clients on their own, even if my own world is in freefall.
‘Amy, love, is all well with you and Flynn? You both seem a bit tense?’
Clenching my jaw, I wonder how to reply. Swapping bodies does tend to up the tension.
‘Flynn’s such a lovely boy, you laugh like I laughed with your dad. He’s good for you.’
I can’t help but be a little cheered by this statement, back straighter. ‘That’s a nice thing to say, Trish.’
She gives me a strange look. ‘That’s quite alright, Amy,’ she stresses my name. ‘I’m just glad,’ Trish adds. ‘I’m glad you’ve got him in case you—’ She trails away, her face suddenly more serious, ‘Well, I’m just glad.’
Trish doesn’t seem like herself as she seizes my arm and links it through hers, squeezing me close.
‘I love you, Amy.’
I stiffen in her arms, my tongue too big in my mouth as I try to respond naturally. Why do I find being hugged by her so hard? ‘Thank you,’ I say stiffly.
Fortunately Trish doesn’t react, ‘Let’s go and get thoroughly spoiled!’
I nod and smile, relieved, and enjoying feeling her comforting figure in lockstep with mine. It’s not something I’m used to, this intimate, conspiratorial way of walking, and I like it. We continue down the corridor to the wide landing and a shining staircase that separates in two sweeping curves to the ground floor.
Laura’s anxious face looks up as we descend, as does a collection of other women Amy would no doubt recognize. A little apart from them is the woman I do know, the woman who should not be anywhere near this place.
Our eyes meet as I stumble down the stairs, glad Trish is holding onto me. She’s tied her blonde hair up in a ponytail, light bouncing off her smooth skin. She gives me a strange half-smile and I don’t return it, worry churning in me. I can’t face any of that today.
‘Here she is!’ Trish trills.
Laura glances at me. ‘Kia, tell the minibus driver we are finally here.’
I vaguely remember Amy telling me Kia was a second cousin. She gives me a rather frosty look as she darts out.
‘Hi bridesmaids!’ I say cheerily. Just stay upbeat, Flynn, be fun, be part of the gang! What did Amy ask? Be relaxed! Use nicknames! No, don’t use nicknames!
‘Let’s go you, my sister, Laura!’ I say to Laura, who gives me a strange look.
My head throbs, everything in the foyer sparkling back at me. Behind me, through large open oak doors, I can make out the groomsmen still lounging in the breakfast bar, the table rammed with half-full cafetieres, plates of croissants, pastries and fresh fruit. The scent of coffee and warm dough clashes pleasingly in the air and my stomach growls.
‘Can I grab something from the breakfast bar before we head out?’ I ask brightly, turning to the doors.
Laura folds her arms. ‘If you’d been down when I asked, Amy …’
I glance back at the table longingly; Jay meets my eye and gives me a wink. The wink wrongfoots me. Jay and I don’t wink at each other – we shake hands, we do the silent nod. I frown at him, feeling a headache coming on. Of course, the wink isn’t for me. It’s for Amy. I blink both eyes and he frowns. This is going to be a long day.
The minibus idles on the driveway as the gaggle of women carrying big woven bags head through the sliding door. Tanya is loitering, tying a shoelace that looks tied to me, and I avert my eyes as she brushes past me inside. Squeezing into a corner seat, glad that Trish followed me, I get the distinct feeling Tanya is trying to catch my eye.
There is heat in my belly. Leave Amy alone, I think furiously.
Closing my eyes, wanting the dull throb in my head to ease, I lean against the minibus window, the fountain in the centre of the driveway still throwing its jets into the sky which is now cornflower blue, yesterday’s storm forgotten, a bright day ahead.
‘Off we go!’ Trish says, squeezing my thigh under the cream dress and making me sit bolt upright in my seat. Trish has never squeezed my thigh before.
This is going to be weird, isn’t it?
With no way of communicating with Amy, I’ll have to think before I speak, stay alert, on guard. Act like her. Find out what a cozzie is before we get to the mystery destination.
I can do this. Whatever this is. I need to.