Jasmine took a deep breath and swallowed hard and pushed open the bedroom door. Millie got a bit red in the face but Sophie just looked cross. ‘I think I might ask Carla if I can sleep in the other room on that bed. You know I have my own room at home and at Grandma Jacqueline’s. With all my own toys. I don’t like sleeping with other girls and I don’t really like sharing if I don’t want to,’ she announced defiantly. ‘It must be horrid to have to share your room and toys and wardrobe and everything. You see, if you were rich like me you’d have your own bedroom each.’
‘Oh!’ Millie said, astonished at this display of bad manners. ‘Well my daddy has a very good job and we have plenty of money too,’ she retorted.
‘But are you going to Disneyland?’ Jasmine demanded triumphantly.
Sophie folded her arms across her chest and stared at her. ‘Didn’t your mammy tell you that caring is sharing?’
‘My mummy lets me do what I like. And I don’t share and I don’t care,’ Jasmine said haughtily and grabbed her dressing gown and marched downstairs leaving the two sisters speechless at this display of impudence.
C
HAPTER
S
IXTEEN
‘. . . and needless to say, Niall, I’ll be in the right place to keep an eye open for investment opportunities and I can give you the nod!’ Des scraped the last bit of strawberry roulade from his dish and ate it with relish.
‘Is that not considered to be insider trading?’ Niall leaned back in his chair, wishing he was anywhere but where he was. The other man had out-talked everyone else at the table, taking charge of the conversation and directing it back to himself and his ‘golden opportunities’, every chance he got.
‘Oh come on, now, it’s not as if you’re going to be investing millions,’ scoffed Des. ‘Everyone gives a few tips here and there. They don’t go after us for helping out small fry. They’re only interested in the big players. Mind you I got a great tip two years ago that made me the guts of half a mil. It’s all about who you know.’
‘Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind,’ Niall said politely, thinking what a patronizing gobshite the other man was.
‘Now the boring speeches,’ yawned Des as the father of the bride clinked his fork against his champagne glass and called for silence.
‘Did you think any more about coming to London to be with me for my last couple of days?’ Colette leaned across Niall to speak to Hilary.
‘I’m not sure how I’m going to be fixed. The girls will be on holiday so I’ll have to sort them out,’ Hilary murmured, not wishing to be rude when Rowena’s father was speaking.
‘Oh please try,’ she begged. ‘My nerves will be shot, you know what I’m like when I get in a tizzy. We’ll have some fun. I’ll bring you to San Lorenzo for lunch, Di might be there.’
‘Couldn’t your parents go over if I can’t make it?’ Hilary whispered.
‘You must be joking, take time away from their precious court cases?’ snorted Colette, who had been lashing into the champagne they’d been served non stop since they’d arrived at the hotel that afternoon.
‘Shush, you pair!’ ordered Niall.
‘Oohhh I love bossy men,’ giggled Colette. ‘Excuse me, I have to go and pee.’
‘I think I’ll slip out too and smoke a Robusto. Superb flavour. Woody but not too strong. Join me if you like,’ Des invited.
‘Thanks, I don’t care for cigars, but you go right ahead,’ Niall replied, clapping at a lame joke the bride’s father had attempted.
‘Oh you’re familiar with Cuban cigar brands?’ Des looked surprised.
‘Duty free is my business,’ Niall said coolly.
‘Oh of course, I must get you to get me a few cases at cost price!’ Des replied, ever the opportunist. ‘See you later.’
‘God, they’re so rude, I was glad they went out. She’s pissed,’ Hilary remarked when the speeches were over and people began to stretch their limbs and head for the bar.
‘I wouldn’t mind getting pissed myself. It might be the best of food and drink here but this is more like a corporate do than a wedding and two hours non stop of Des’s waffling is doing my head in.’ Niall glanced at his watch. It had gone nine. He’d been right about the food, it had been 7 p.m. before the meal was served, although there had been champagne and canapés for the guests when they’d arrived from the church.
‘We’ll stay until about eleven and slip away,’ Hilary soothed. Her husband was right, the wedding was big, brash and corporate and she had no desire to sit listening to more of Colette’s tipsy giggling. She need not have worried – the other couple never came back to their table. There were far too many High Society guests to mingle with and impress.
Hilary and Niall stayed chatting for a while to the other guests at their table before drifting up to the bar to order more drinks, where they met some of Pete’s relatives who felt completely out of their depth at such an elite gathering. Niall
