As they moved round to the slow music, Holly caught sight of Danielle’s flamboyantly gleaming dress. She was talking animatedly to a man who was half hidden in the shadows. Her laughter carried on the air.
“Danielle is getting to know my best man,” said Luke. “You’ve met him, Barry Armitage, haven’t you?”
“Yes, Barry. At the airport. He’d lost his surf boards or something.”
“He’s quite a well-known sportsman,” said Luke. “I imagine his mantelpiece is laden with silver cups. He’s won several championships and a gold medal at the last Olympics. Didn’t you see the television coverage?”
She shook her head.
“It shows how looks can be deceptive,” said Holly. “He doesn’t look like a famous athlete. Short and lean.”
“He’s pretty fit.”
“How did you meet him?”
“I was doing a programme on the Olympics. He’s easy-going and we became friends. He’s a promising camera man, a second career for when he retires. He made me promise to be best man at his wedding, so, of course, I had to reciprocate the honour when Danielle and I decided to tie the knot.”
“And when is Barry getting married? He’s here alone.”
Luke chuckled. “A mythical wedding, I think. Not that he is short of candidates. No immediate plans. Nor has he the time to meet anyone, the way he rushes round the world. He’s off to Dubai next week.”
“No surfing in Dubai. It’s all skyscrapers.”
“He’ll find a beach.”
They heard Danielle’s laughter again. She was obviously enjoying herself talking to Barry. Holly was glad. She didn’t like upsetting her cousin and wearing this beautiful dress had not been a good move. Holly knew that she wouldn’t outshine the bride when Danielle donned that exotic dress and bouffant train.
The music stopped and Luke guided Holly back to the party room.
“Thank you for the dance, Holly,” he said gravely.
“Rule number thirty one in the ballroom handbook,” said Holly. “Always curtsey when a man thanks you for a dance.” She did a knees-bend, sort of bob.
“Enchanted,” said Luke. “What does the rule book say if I suddenly kiss the best bridesmaid ever?” His eyes were glinting in the evening light.
Holly didn’t move. Her wits had deserted her. “I think it says run for your life.”
She heard Luke laughing as she escaped quickly into a throng of people. She took a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. The first glass was already making her feel light-headed. And it was not long after that home-made rum punch. Time soon to get a taxi back to Tiger Bay and return the attic dress before it got damaged. It was pretty fragile.
Holly nibbled on some lobster served on breadfruit and decided she had done her duty as a guest and could leave. The Grants wouldn’t notice if she left. She was no one to them, certainly not a prospective client. She was not about to buy a house. She’d send them a polite thank-you note tomorrow.
She went down the wide front steps into the cooling night air. A breeze had stirred from somewhere. How was she going to find a taxi? Could she walk down the drive to the front gates? She should have brought her mobile but she had nowhere to put it.
She heard the sound of a motorbike revving behind her. A helmeted figure on a big Harley-Davidson drew up beside her. “Want a lift, Holly?”
It was Barry Armitage. He had shed his white dinner jacket and was in jeans and T-shirt. “I can take you back to Tiger Bay Plantation House,” he went on. “I’ve got a spare helmet.”
“Thank you, that would be terrific,” said Holly. “But I can’t.” She indicated the flowing lilac silk of her dress. “It’s fragile, not fit for pillion riding.”
“Take it off,” said Barry. “There’s a spare T-shirt and some shorts in the panniers. We’re about the same size. I won’t look. What are you waiting for?”
“Amazing bike,” said Holly, admiring the gleaming monster, shedding the dress discreetly.
“Sponsorship. I make millions with sponsorship.”
*
It was an exhilarating ride. The wind raced through Holly’s hair, blowing it in all directions. Barry was a fast but competent rider. She felt completely safe. The vintage dress was safely folded into a pannier. She wondered what Danielle would think if she could see her bridesmaid now.
She was almost sorry when she saw the white shape of Tiger Bay Plantation House looming through the trees. They were almost home.
“Safe and sound,” said Barry, slowing down. “Did you enjoy that?”
“It was wonderful. It blew away all the cobwebs.”
“You should get a bike. It’s the only way to see the island. Barbados is a beautiful place. It’s not all hotels and beaches.”
Holly nodded in agreement. “Luke tells me you met when he was doing a programme on the Olympics.”
“Mutual consolation. We were both drowning our sorrows. Luke was getting over losing the love of his life in London and I was doing something similar, only not quite so heartfelt.”
“The love of his life in London?” Holly’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”
“He’d had to leave her, some young girl he met in London. Someone far too young and naive for him, he said. He was pretty upset. But as you can see, the golden-haired Danielle has healed his broken heart.”
Barry brought the big bike slewing to a halt at the foot of the steps to the front entrance. Holly slipped off the pillion seat and retrieved her dress from the pannier.
“Thank you for the lift home, Barry,” said Holly. Her head was spinning. She hardly knew what she was saying. “I’ll return your T-shirt and shorts tomorrow.”
“Anytime will do. No hurry, Holly. Sleep well, babe.”
With a spurt of acceleration, Barry was off down the drive, leaving Holly standing dazed at the foot of the steps. She could not think straight. Had she imagined those words? Had she drunk too much champagne? Had a dance under the Barbados moon gone to her head?
Luke had a broken heart when leaving London? Surely not? She would have to ask him, but before his wedding to Danielle or after?
*
It had been a brilliant evening. He’d won at the casino. He found four cabin doors unlocked. Passengers went down to a second sitting in the dining room, forgetting to lock their doors. His haul was outstanding. A diamond necklace, a ruby ring, a pair of gold ear-rings and a gold bracelet slipped effortlessly into his pocket. Also all sorts of loose change and phones changed hands. He could not believe his luck.
No supper but there was always the late night buffet upstairs. How could anyone want to eat so late? It was after eleven when he filled up a plate with savouries and salad, took it out onto the deck and ate under the stars. Apple pie and ice cream finished him off. He didn’t notice the stars, winking down at him.
Now he could sleep in the Colonel’s cabin. He’d checked that the pass still worked. He wondered if they were efficient about cancelling passes, but apparently not.
A decent night’s sleep would be a bonus. Breakfast at the buffet bar and then he had work to do. Not work he would enjoy but it had to be done. Holly had it coming.
Chapter Ten
Holly was still awake when Danielle and Luke returned in the early hours of the morning. She turned restlessly, throwing off the sheet. It was so hot. It felt as if her skin was burning. She could hear Danielle trying to get Luke to stay for what was left of the night, using a persuasive voice, but he had his own reasons for returning to his accommodation in Bridgetown.
“I’ve a very early start,” she could hear him saying. “We want to get some spectacular dawn shots.”
“Oh, Luke. You can do that anytime. At least help me out of my dress. I can’t reach.”
Holly could imagine that Danielle had very little on under that dress.
“If you don’t, I shall have to wake the cook,” said Danielle. “She’ll have to help me.” Luke knew that wouldn’t be fair. The cook worked long hou
rs.
Holly slipped out of bed and threw on her robe. She leaned out of her bedroom window.
“I’m not asleep,” she called. “I’ll help you out of your dress.”
“Well, if you aren’t the perfect little helpmate,” said Danielle crossly. She had been banking on getting Luke to stay what was left of the night. “OK, you go off and take silly dawn pictures. Holly can be useful for once.”
Holly bit back an equally cutting remark. She felt she had been helpful from the moment she set foot in Tiger Bay House. Danielle was always needing a hand in some form or another. Whether it was addressing more invitations or cutting up ribbon, or making phone calls. Her days were filled with helping with the wedding arrangements. She hadn’t had much time to look for models for Zoe.
“Goodnight, Danielle,” said Luke. She heard a momentary giggle and supposed that Luke was kissing Danielle goodnight, as any bridegroom would do. “Sleep well.”
“I’d sleep better if you stayed,” said Danielle.
Danielle flounced into the house, the huge skirt all screwed up so that she didn’t trip over it. Holly came down the stairs. Danielle’s face was flushed. She had drunk a lot of champagne.
“Get me out of this damned dress here and now,” she said. “I hate it. I never want to see it again. Throw it away, put it in a refuse bin. Take it to a charity shop.”
“But it’s beautiful,” said Holly, trying to unfasten the tiny hooks and eyes all down the back. They were fastened so tightly, it was a wonder Danielle could still breathe. “It’s from the House of Dior, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s Dior, horrendously expensive. It was flown over. But I couldn’t even dance in it. I see you got a dance with Luke.”
“I was second choice,” said Holly diplomatically. “I’m sure he would far rather have been dancing with you.”
“Of course he would. I’m the bride. I’m the woman he is going to marry.”
Danielle stepped out of the folds of taffeta, kicking the material away roughly. She was only wearing tiny bikini pants. Luke would have got an eyeful. She ran up the stairs to her bedroom without a word of thanks.
“Cut it up for dusters,” she called back.
Holly stood in the hallway with the glorious dress discarded at her feet. It deserved a better fate, she thought. She gathered it up and hung it over a hanger in the downstairs cloakroom. Danielle wouldn’t look for it there.
Now Holly could sleep. Somehow hearing Luke refuse to stay the night had settled some of the tumult in her heart. He still had his own mind. He wasn’t going to be ruled by Danielle. It was reassuring, cleansing, and it cleared her doubts.
*
Danielle didn’t get up the next morning. She decided to stay in bed, reading magazines and repainting her nails. Holly swam by herself, keeping close to the shore, not yet ready to face today’s thoughts. The bay was perfect, the sand newly washed and without any other footprints, only her own. The sky was a seamless canopy of blue, stretching way into the distance.
Breakfast was laid on the patio and Holly wrapped a big towel round herself, deciding she would dress later. Lily came out of the house with pots of tea and coffee. She had been waiting for Holly’s return.
“Miss Danielle is not feeling too well this morning so she will not be joining you,” said Lily, with the smallest twinkle in her brown eyes. “She been dance-dance too much last night.”
“Too much dancing,” Holly agreed. “I’ve hung Miss Danielle’s ball gown in the downstairs cloakroom. Can it be kept somewhere safe and out of sight till Miss Danielle decides what to do with it?”
“I’ll put it in a safe place,” said Lily, not asking any questions. “Tea or coffee, miss?”
“Tea please, Lily. I’m feeling British this morning. And thank you so much for the lovely dress I wore last night. It’s in my bedroom. I expect you will return it to the attic? Somehow I don’t think it will survive being dry-cleaned.”
“I will hang it in the air in a cool place. That will dry clean it. Then I will return it to the attic with lavender and herbs.”
Holly wasn’t hungry. She had a dish of sliced paw-paw and then some toast. She felt dehydrated and drank another cup of tea. The lack of sleep was making her sleepy. Her eyes were closing against her will, her lashes fluttering, a hazy maze of flowers floating against her eyelids.
“Don’t go to sleep in the sun. You’ll burn.”
Luke adjusted the umbrella so that Holly was in its shade. She blinked, focusing on the unexpected sight. He was in navy shorts with a white cotton shirt, his feet in sneakers. He looked tired, as if he hadn’t had much sleep either.
“Did you get your dawn shots?” Holly asked.
He nodded, sitting down and pouring himself some coffee. “It was magnificent. You must get up early one morning and see the dawn for yourself.”
“I’ll do that. Time is passing so quickly. I’ll be going home soon.”
“How did you get back last night? I looked for you everywhere but couldn’t find you. I hope you phoned for a taxi.”
“I got a lift,” said Holly, not wanting to tell Luke too much.
“And where’s our glamorous bride to be this morning?”
“She’s still in bed. She’s not getting up yet. Tired, I guess.”
Luke made no comment. He was helping himself to melon and paw-paw. “No breakfast,” he said. “What are you going to do this morning?”
“I’m going into Bridgetown. Danielle wants me to get the proof of the wedding service leaflet from the printers. Make sure they’re spelling everything correctly, especially the double-l in her name.” Holly didn’t add that she was also going into the travel agents to see if there was a flight home yet.
“I’ll give you a lift – when you are dressed,” he grinned. “I don’t think a wrapped-round towel is the right garb for town.”
“Thanks,” said Holly. “It’s getting hotter isn’t it? Are we in for a thunderstorm?”
“Probably. Take an umbrella with you.”
The open sides of the Land Rover created a through breeze. Holly remembered a bottle of water and a hat. She was wearing cut off white jeans again and another blue T-shirt, her hair tied back, hardly any make-up. Only a touch of mascara.
“Are you sorry you came out to Barbados?” Luke asked suddenly. It was so unexpected that for a moment Holly did not know what to say.
“No,” she said, after a pause. “I’m not sorry. I love the island. It’s beautiful. One day I shall come back again, on my own, without any wedding on the horizon. I needed a break from London. There had been some personal difficulties…,” her voice trailed off.
“Men difficulties?”
What could she say? That Luke had left her without a word and broken her heart? That Jake Furrows had done a runner with her winnings?
“Sort of,” she said reluctantly. “It’s not easy to explain. A friend, someone who I thought was a friend, cheated me. It was a money matter. Still, what you never had, you don’t miss, do you?”
“Clear as mud,” said Luke, swerving to miss an overcrowded bus that suddenly stopped in the middle of the road to let someone alight. The driver waved his thanks. “Maybe one day you’ll tell me.”
“Maybe,” said Holly. “It’s not something I talk about. It makes me look a fool. I guess I was a fool to trust him.”
“But I know that you are not a fool, Holly. You are clever, hard-working, efficient and reliable. I wish I had you as my assistant again.”
“You know that I have a different job now, with a model agency. It’s far less pressure. Nice people. Zoe is a super boss.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Then I can’t tempt you away with the offer of a job with my production company? Say, as an assistant producer?”
The words fell round Holly like hail-stones. It was what she really wanted, to work with Luke again, to see him every day, to be involved in his inspiring ideas. If she could not be part of his personal life, at least she would be an impor
tant part of his working life. But there was Zoe. And Zoe had saved her from going off her rocker in those turbulent days when Jake walked out.
“I already have a lovely job with the Boys & Girls Model Agency. I couldn’t leave Zoe. It wouldn’t be fair. She needs me.”
Luke nodded. “I understand your loyalty. As always.”
He drew alongside a gap in the street traffic and stopped. They weren’t far from the centre of Bridgetown. The streets were crowded, pavements bustling with shoppers, the heat already bouncing off the paving stones.
“Get a taxi back,” he said. “Don’t hang about. I can smell thunder in the air.”
“Thank you for the lift,” said Holly, getting out of the Land Rover. “And thank you for the dance last night. It was very…pleasant.” She wanted to say romantic but the word stuck in her throat.
“My pleasure,” said Luke, driving away without looking at her.
Holly stood on the crowded pavement, watching him drive away, tears welling in her eyes. Surely he could not break her heart again? Once was quite enough. But he was marrying her cousin next week. She had to go, somewhere a million miles away from Barbados, back in dirty, dreary London.
Perhaps a stop-over in New York was the answer.
First stop, the printers. They were in a side street. Second stop, the travel agents. Again Holly spotted a spelling mistake reading through the proofs of the service sheet while sipping from a can of cold orange juice. All the tradesmen and shop keepers offered cold drinks to customers. It was their universal politeness.
“Glad you come, missy,” said the printer, beaming. “That Miss Danielle, she blow her top. Everything always wrong. You nice about mistake.”
“We all make mistakes,” said Holly. “This is easily changed. Only a tiny slip, otherwise it is perfect.”
“You next for a wedding?” he grinned.
“I don’t think so,” said Holly, putting the empty can in a bin. “So you will deliver a hundred sheets, gold embossed, as soon as possible?”
Dangerous Shadows Page 10
