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Nancy reached past the big guy and put a hand on her wrist. Ari gave her a look to let her know she wasn’t about to go nuclear; she just had to say something.

Nancy nodded, understanding. And in the middle of that unspoken conversation, it hit her. She couldn’t believe she’d gone this long without realising this was a person she was absolutely in love with.

Jesus. What a thing to realise in the middle of this mess.

‘Anyway, where the bloody hell are those police? We called them an hour ago,’ the groom said.

Ari raised an eyebrow. ‘Yes, I bet you want me out of the way, don’t you, Cal? I’m such an inconvenient portent of your future.’

Cal looked away. Paris caught the exchange. But she didn’t say anything.

‘Helen, perhaps you could ring them?’ Paris asked.

Helen raised an eyebrow. ‘Can’t you get your staff to do it?’

Paris sighed. ‘If it’s too much…’

Helen’s jaw went tight. ‘Fine.’ She went into the hall, taking her phone from her purse.

‘Your pulse is a little rapid,’ the doctor murmured to his patient. ‘And you’re a bit clammy.’

‘It’s called being the centre of attention, darling,’ Margot drawled, but there was a slight breathlessness to it.

‘Have you been feeling faint?’ he asked.

She hesitated. ‘Perhaps a little.’

Paris rolled her eyes. ‘Why didn’t you say anything earlier?’

‘Because I didn’t want a fuss,’ Margot replied.

The doctor sighed. ‘I’d like to check your blood pressure properly, and you should rest for a while. You may be a bit dehydrated.’

‘Oh, how terribly dull,’ Margot muttered.

‘You should get her to the hospital and stop messing about,’ Ari breathed.

Paris shot her a look. ‘This is not your business.’

‘I’m inclined to agree,’ said the doctor. ‘About the hospital, I mean.’

Margot tutted. ‘I can’t. The dogs!’

‘I can go see to your dogs,’ Nancy offered. Ari smiled at her.

‘Shecan’t go. She’s as bad as Ari. She’ll probably rob you blind,’ Paris said to her aunt.

‘How dare you!’ Ari exploded.

Margot shot her great-niece a look. ‘Well, it’s not as if anyone else is volunteering.’

Paris rolled her eyes. ‘Where’s the help?’

Laurence suddenly appeared, his timing as impeccable as ever. Nancy had to wonder if he was wearing some kind of electroshock collar that was activated by the slightest signs of wealthy distress. ‘Madam, give me your keys and address. I shall see to it.’

Margot gave him everything asked—with a slight blush, Nancy noted—and off he went to stop animal carnage. Nancy thought there was probably some upstairs-downstairs history there. If things had gone differently tonight, Nancy thought she and Ari would have been laughing about that together.

Helen walked back in. ‘They’re busy. They won’t be here for another hour.’