Part 53 (1/2)

'Is Zo here?'

'She'll be here for lunch. And Helen. They said they couldn't get hold of you but I guess you got their message?'

I shake my head. I turned off the phone last night and haven't switched it on since.

'There's some kind of pa.s.sing out ceremony for The California Club.' Sasha wipes her face, leaving a streak of dirt across her cheek.

'What does that involve?' I ask, smudging it away for her.

'I'm presuming just a speech and handing over the keys for Marilyn's Beach House. Maybe they give us a certificate!'

G.o.d knows what mine would say. Failed wish incomplete. Try again next year.

'It was supposed to be at The Del but Helen rearranged it cos of the fundraiser. I was just going to set up some chairs out on the porch, what do you reckon?'

I can't quite picture Alex in his immaculate suit sitting on a rocker but then again, who knows?

'Where's Ty?'

'He's just gone into town to get the rest of the equipment. Carrie should be back this afternoon. Right now it's just you and me.'

It's the perfect cue to pour my heart out, but then I find myself locking eyes with Ryan again. My plight counts as nothing compared to him and his compadres.

'How's Oliver?' I ask.

'Getting better every day. Ty is so good with him, I just leave them to it.' She leads me to the kitchen and hands me a gla.s.s of water. 'Everything okay with you? How was Elise nightmare?'

'You have no idea!' I take a big gulp of water to force down the swell of wretched emotion.

'Ah well, it's over now, isn't it?'

I nod, setting my gla.s.s down on the side. All over. I want to crumple and sob but this is Sasha's big day a good day, not a poor me day.

I clap my hands together hard, hoping the sting will revive me. 'Tell me what I can do to help.'

Though Sasha won't give me the details, I'm beginning to get an idea of what she has planned. The cats will be floodlit by huge black lamps on stands, a vast screen is to be stretched across the backlot for some kind of projection, and judging by the number of ice chests that Ty is now unloading, there's going to be an awful lot of beer. He looks great, gives me a big hug and a whispered, I love that girl of yours! when he sees me. We work in companionable silence doing last minute cage-cleaning duties until The California Club is called to order in the early afternoon.

Having become something of a perfectionist sprucing Ryan's cage, I'm last to arrive. Everyone else is already a.s.sembled on the porch. I smile at Helen, who barely manages a mouth-twitch back. I'm guessing she's peeved that there are two notable absences.

'Where's Elliot?' Zo hisses at me as I lower myself into the worn-out rocking chair.

'No idea,' I shrug. He could be on his honeymoon by now, for all I know.

'But you were just with Elise, weren't you?'

'I haven't seen either of them since last night.'

'Okay!' Alex calls an end to our whispering. 'Welcome to the concluding meeting of The California Club!'

We shuffle excitedly in our seats. We did it! Against all odds we got through the week! I flash back to the day we all set off and it seems like a lifetime ago. So many memories, so many emotions ...

'Now obviously not all of you are present today because, well, we've had a surprise wedding!'

Zo and Sasha gasp, looking aghast as they whip round to face me.

Then it's true. He did marry her. And now he's too ashamed to show his face. I can't keep the demons at bay any longer I feel as if I'm being buried alive.

Alex rattles on regardless. 'I've just sent out for a bottle of champagne so we'll have a toast just as soon as that arrives. In the meantime we have a selection of awards we would like to present.'

'Hold on!' Zo gets to her feet. 'That's all you have to say about the wedding?'

I grab Zo's arm and try and pull her back down to her seat. 'Just leave it, please,' I implore her.

'But-' Zo protests, then sees the desperation on my face and caves with a muttered: 'I don't believe it. Why would they do it behind our backs?' She throws her hands up in exasperation.

Sasha shakes her head, still in a state of disbelief.

Helen doesn't look her normal radiant self as she steps forward with a collection of carved c.o.ke and Tango cans.

'Um. Obviously the news is quite a shock to us all but I don't want to let it spoil our celebration here. So I'm just going to ...' she trails off.

Alex gives a little cough hoping to set her back on track.

'Sorry,' she says fighting to regain her composure. 'Each of you has excelled in some way and we would like to honor that by presenting you with the following awards.' She speaks with forced enthusiasm. For such an all-knowing being she looks knocked for six. I realize then that it's not just me the wedding has devastated, it's all of us. Somehow that helps to share the load. Once again I feel Zo take my hand, as Sasha takes the other.

'Most Miles on the Clock: Lara!'

'Hey, watch it!' I try and join in the fun.

'We've estimated that you've travelled a total of 1300 miles in the past seven days,' Alex adds. 'You're definitely road chick of the week.'

I accept my customized can with a little bow. Road chick that's better.

'The Turn That Frown Upside Down award goes to ... Sasha.'

She flushes hot pink.

'To see you go from lost to found has been a real triumph and inspiration.' Helen beams with pride.

Sasha accepts her award and with a trembling voice says, 'I just want to thank The California Club and Helen in particular for-'

'Hey this isn't the Oscars!' Zo heckles. 'What do I win for?'

'Actually you and Lara are joint-winners of the Best-Dressed award for your Gentlemen Prefer Blondes outfits.' Alex holds up a picture.

'I thought you'd lost the camera!' Zo gasps, grabbing my arm.

'So did I,' I frown. 'I couldn't find it after the Madonna Inn.'

'I took it!' Helen confesses.