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"Is everything all right?" asks Heath, glancing at the phone in my hand.
"Yes, perfect." I smile, deleting the messages. I don't need to know what they say. I'm done with him. I had always heard people saying things like you can choose your friends but not your family, like it was a bad thing. I never got it; I thought my family was perfect. But the reality is, they were just good at hiding their bad parts better than most.
"Where is the wedding going to be? Mom said it might even be on the sand. Is she right?" asks Ruby, still quizzing poor Elly about tomorrow’s plans.
"Yes, your mother is right. The ceremony will be down on the beach as long as the weather is good to us tomorrow, but at this stage, it's looking perfect. Then you will go and have some nice photos taken and then a special lunch. After that you two are going to come to my place for a sleepover so Mom and Dad can have a little alone time. I have a son, Cooper, who's eight, and he would love to meet you both."
"Do you have an Xbox?" Connor asks, the first words he has uttered since we got off the plane.
"Sure do. Your mom tells me you like soccer. So does Coop, so you guys can have a kick around as well if you like?"
"Yes, please." He beams with excitement. This holiday just took a good turn for him.
Elly gives me a wink. I'm so glad I thought to call her. Being a parent herself, she's all over it.
We pull into a circle driveway with lush-looking palm trees and ferns lining the entire length. There are luxury hut-style accommodations lined up, looking like they face onto the beach. I pop open the car door and enjoy the warm salty air. "This place is beautiful, Elly."
"I thought it would be perfect. It's one of those places people come to if they want everything sorted for them, accommodation, wedding, the lot. My business is a preferred supplier here, and we do a lot of their weddings, so it was easy to get you guys in for a mid-week one.
"Thank you so much for your help, Elly,” Heath tells her. “I can already see how happy you're making my girl. I'm sure tomorrow will be perfect."
"It's nice to see her so happy with you, Heath."
We hop out of the car and gather our luggage.
"Just give them your names at reception, everything is sorted, though, including all meals for the whole time you’re here. You shouldn't have to worry about a thing." She beams her stunning smile, knowing she's done something really special for us.
"Thank you," I say, with another hug.
"I'll be back in the morning." She gives us a wave before taking off.
As we’re walking into reception, my phone rings. I glance at the screen and see it's Jasmine.
"Take it. I'll take the kids and go check in," Heath tells me, knowing I can't avoid them all forever.
"Thanks." I answer the call, wondering how much shit I'm in. "Hey, Jas."
"Where are you?" she asks quickly, her voice sounding worried.
I glance at the sign. "Some place called Sands Retreat and Function Centre." I laugh.
"Stop trying to be funny. I'm serious, Amelia, Dad is freaking out, and he won't stop calling me. He's stressing me out."
Shit. "Don't tell him where I am, Jas. You can't, he is still expecting me to go to Paris and marry Julian. It's messed up."
"So, you’ve gone into hiding?" She tuts, like I'm the one doing the wrong thing.
"Not exactly, we just took a little family holiday to Australia," I say guiltily.
"Have you lost your mind?" she shrieks. And I guess it might appear like I have since this is the second international trip I have gone on in as many weeks. But the truth is, I think for the first time in my life I'm thinking very clearly. I’m doing exactly what I want with my life and not what I'm being told is a good idea.
"What would you have done, Sis?" I huff. I love her dearly, but I'm not letting her get away with being all high and mighty on me now. Her judgment is the last thing I need.
She goes quiet, and I know she's mulling it over, thinking about all the possibilities. "Okay, you’re right, getting away was a good idea, while you wait for this to blow over. When will you be back?" she asks, sounding desperate.
"On Sunday, but that stays between us. If Dad asks you, just say you haven't heard from me."
"You know I can't lie, Millie."
