Chapter 10: In this chapter of The Last One at the Wedding, the atmosphere at the reception shifts from lively music to the quiet undertones of family interactions and strained social dynamics. Frank, accompanied by his sister Tammy and her daughter Abigail, finds himself navigating the party with a sense of discomfort. The evening begins with Abigail, full of boundless energy, proudly wearing a furry blue bodysuit to represent ‘Stitch’ from Lilo and Stitch. Her cheerful, carefree attitude contrasts sharply with Frank’s more reserved, methodical approach, especially as he tries to maintain order during the buffet dinner. Frank, with his concern for his daughter’s manners, continuously reminds Abigail to practice moderation as she fills her plate with food, but her disinterest in his instructions becomes evident. Amid the adult chatter, Abigail remains focused on her enjoyment, oblivious to the social norms Frank is attempting to instill in her.

As the dinner progresses, Tammy—relaxed with her piña colada—engages in conversations with other guests while Abigail continues to pile food onto her plate. Frank, sensing the growing tension, becomes increasingly frustrated when Abigail’s clumsiness results in a mishap. A piece of chicken piccata falls to the ground, and despite Frank’s attempts to manage the situation, Abigail refuses to pick it up. With no other choice, Frank reluctantly bends down to pick up the food himself, swallowing his frustration and doing his best to salvage the moment. He then moves discreetly to another table, hoping to avoid any further embarrassment and give himself a moment of peace in the bustling event.

The uncomfortable dinner atmosphere deepens as they join Gerry Levinson and his wife Sierra at their table. Gerry, ever the boisterous figure, brags about his young wife’s rising success as a children’s book author. Frank, though, can’t help but notice the significant age difference between the couple, a contrast that leaves him feeling uneasy and out of place. As the evening continues, Frank feels like an outsider in the conversation. He half-listens to Gerry’s legal work stories and Sierra’s aspirations while trying to stay engaged. All the while, Frank is reminded of the widening emotional distance between him and his daughter, a distance that seems to grow as they both try to navigate their roles in each other’s lives.

While the jazz music continues to set the background mood, Frank’s mind remains preoccupied with the absence of Aidan and Gwendolyn from the event. His worries about Aidan’s involvement in the unfolding events around Dawn Taggart’s disappearance only intensify as he notices Maggie moving through the crowd. Tammy, who is delighted by Abigail’s unexpected trivia skills, challenges her niece with a few questions. To Frank’s surprise, Abigail answers them effortlessly, impressively naming the longest rivers in Europe and Asia with ease. This display of intelligence from Abigail catches everyone’s attention, bringing a fleeting moment of pride to Frank as he watches his daughter shine in an unexpected light.

However, the pleasant diversion doesn’t last long, and Frank’s thoughts quickly return to the disquiet he feels about Aidan and Gwendolyn’s absence. Maggie, sensing her father’s growing tension, brushes off his concerns, emphasizing the fun and excitement of the event. Her carefree attitude, while refreshing for some, only heightens Frank’s anxieties, especially as he recalls the unsettling conversation with Brody Taggart and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Aidan’s alibi. Frank attempts to reassure himself by focusing on a promise he made to Maggie about spending time together, particularly a planned canoe trip the next morning. However, the dark undertones of the evening continue to linger in his mind, and the tension between his desire to protect his daughter and his growing suspicions about those around her weighs heavily on him.

The chapter concludes with an unsettling moment as Frank notices a figure watching him from the window of the lodge. The brief exchange between Frank and this mysterious figure, paired with his growing concern over the people involved in Maggie’s life, leaves him feeling on edge. Despite the festive nature of the gathering, Frank senses something darker lurking beneath the surface, an undercurrent that will undoubtedly complicate the family dynamics further. The tension surrounding Aidan’s absence, along with Frank’s unease about Maggie’s choices, sets the stage for deeper revelations in the coming chapters, as the complexity of family relationships and the looming mysteries continue to unfold.