Free The Guest List by Melissa Hill Page B

it. But I just don’t believe in going into all sorts of debt for one day, and I know Shane doesn’t either, OK?’
    ‘Oh Cara, you are just so practical, sometimes. All the time, actually. We’re talking about your wedding, pet – your big day. Just understand that your father and I will do everything we can to make it wonderful. You just don’t worry yourself about the costs, we’ll sort something out.’
    Cara felt tears in her eyes, unable to believe what she was hearing. Here her parents were, in their late fifties and nearing retirement, and still willing to go into more debt over their children’s weddings. They were way too kind-hearted. But Cara knew that such generosity came with a price.
    The family house Betty and Mick had been close to owning outright a couple of years ago was now, thanks to Heidi, another good ten years away from being paid for. And now her mother was talking about a third top-up? Well, maybe it didn’t play on her sister’s conscience, but there was no way Cara was going to drive her lovely parents – who’d ensured she’d never wanted for anything – into further debt in their advancing years
    ‘Look, Mum, let’s just talk about it all on Sunday over dinner. We still need to tell Shane’s folks about the engagement – we’re doing that tonight. So just hold off on anything until then, OK?’
    ‘Of course, of course. And give the Richardsons my regards, won’t you? I suppose this means we’ll get to meet them soon – the lord and lady of the manor,’ Betty added in the feigned haughty tone she used when referring to Shane’s parents.
    ‘Of course I will.’
    It was true that the two sets of parents had never met, and Cara knew that privately Betty was foaming at the mouth to meet with the Richardsons. She guessed that would be happening soon. While she’d hoped to have introduced both couples before now, Shane’s folks were so always so busy there had never seemed to be an opportunity.
    ‘Anyway, congratulations again love, I am so happy for you,’ Betty went on. She suddenly sounded teary and Cara felt her own eyes well up. ‘You’re going to be such a beautiful bride. Now, go on and have a great day,’ she went on, before adding ominously, ‘I have a few calls to make.’
    ‘Well, you can make calls, but no deposits Mum, OK?’ Cara had to laugh at her mother’s irrepressible nature. ‘Don’t pay for anything and definitely don’t make any big decisions without consulting us. Not yet.’
    ‘Oh I really don’t see why you are being so serious about it all, Cara. It’s your wedding!’
    ‘Mum, I know what it is. But you will talk to me before you start putting down deposits, yes? Promise?’
    Again, silence from the other end of the line and Cara knew her reticence had put a spanner in the works as Betty had no doubt decided on having the whole shebang organised by five o’clock that afternoon.
    ‘I’m serious Mum,’ she scolded. ‘If you book anything, if you place any money on anything wedding-related, Shane and I will . . .’ Cara quickly considered what could be the worst thing they could do and yesterday’s conversation with Kim popped into her head. ‘Shane and I will elope to Las Vegas some time without telling anyone,’ she finished wickedly.
    There was a sharp intake of breath.
    Trump card! Cara grinned, knowing she’d hit the jackpot. Nothing would horrify her mother more than her daughter eloping without her, not to mention the idea of her eloping and being walked down the aisle to Elvis singing ‘Love Me Tender.’
    ‘Oh Cara, you wouldn’t . . .!’ Betty cried.
    ‘You know I would. Married by Elvis in the Little Chapel of Love. Who knows, maybe we could even do a drive-thru wedding. Can you imagine it?’ she teased, unable to resist. She heard her mother breathing hard. Finally, Betty spoke. ‘Fine, fine,’ she conceded.
    Cara breathed a sigh of relief. She might have won the battle, but she knew she hadn’t won the