In Chapter 8 of The Last One at the Wedding, the protagonist finds themselves reflecting on the uncomfortable atmosphere that pervades the wedding camp. The bedroom, which is supposed to offer a comfortable retreat, lacks basic seating and offers little solace during the unpacking process. As the protagonist goes through the motions, a growing sense of isolation intensifies. The anticipation of meeting their future in-laws, Errol and Catherine, is palpable, but their absence leaves the protagonist feeling unwelcome and disconnected from the event. The situation worsens when other family members begin to leave—Aidan hurriedly departs with a friend, and Maggie heads into town, intentionally or not excluding the protagonist from her plans. These actions serve to emphasize the protagonist’s growing realization that they may not be fully accepted into this family.

By mid-afternoon, as the protagonist waits for their daughter, Abigail, to join them, they attempt a brief conversation about games. Though Abigail is eager to play, the protagonist gently persuades her to stay behind, hoping to spend some quiet, bonding time with Maggie. However, just as the protagonist starts to feel somewhat at ease, Maggie calls with distressing news about the wedding. The florist has made mistakes, and the videographer has tested positive for COVID, escalating Maggie’s stress. Instead of a relaxing afternoon, the protagonist is confronted with the mounting chaos of the event. They had envisioned family time and bonding, but instead find themselves alone, trying to figure out how to navigate the camp and all its activities. The protagonist’s disappointment deepens as they struggle with the idea of walking around the camp on their own, especially when they had hoped for a shared experience.

After the phone call, the protagonist feels a sense of discomfort as they lie to Abigail, telling her that Maggie is busy, though in truth, Maggie’s stress is overwhelming. The protagonist steps outside, where they pass rows of empty chairs set up for the upcoming dinner, and notice a deserted beach. The stillness feels eerie as caterers prepare for the evening event, their frantic energy contrasting with the calm that surrounds the protagonist. They are surprised to learn from a carpenter that the dinner preparations are actually for that evening, not for the wedding on Saturday. This realization shakes the protagonist, further heightening their feelings of disorientation. They had expected the focus of the wedding to be on the upcoming ceremony, but the elaborate dinner instead seems to be the main attraction. As the protagonist continues to walk around, they encounter Aidan again, but this time he’s accompanied by a woman named Gwendolyn. Their brief interaction raises more questions, and when they disappear into the woods, the protagonist’s curiosity gets the best of them, prompting them to follow.

The protagonist catches a glimpse of Aidan and Gwendolyn engaged in an intense conversation. Gwendolyn appears frustrated, demanding that Aidan be truthful, while he tries to convince her to avoid interacting with Margaret. The conversation is cryptic and filled with tension, leaving the protagonist on edge as they struggle to make sense of the situation. As they overhear more, it becomes clear that Gwendolyn harbors deep resentment toward Margaret, which complicates the already fragile family dynamics. Aidan later attempts to explain Gwendolyn’s behavior, revealing that she is critical of the wedding camp and its environment. He offers a glimpse into Gwendolyn’s complex personality, one that is shaped by previous experiences and a critical view of the event. The atmosphere is heavy, and the protagonist’s discomfort only deepens as they reflect on the conversations and the unspoken tensions surrounding them.

The underlying themes of family, stress, and unspoken emotions take center stage in this chapter. As the protagonist navigates the social dynamics of the wedding, they begin to question their place within the family and what the future holds for their relationships. The tension between characters is palpable, and the protagonist is left to grapple with the unsettling knowledge they’ve gained. What started as an opportunity for connection and bonding has quickly turned into a web of secrets, lies, and personal conflicts that the protagonist can neither avoid nor ignore. As the chapter unfolds, it’s clear that the wedding, with all its promises and pitfalls, is only the beginning of deeper emotional revelations. The protagonist finds themselves at the heart of it all, left to process what they’ve overheard and the implications it may have for the future of the family.