She didn’t know where to look or what to do.

Alanna and Holly producing some nibbles, plus trays laden with champagne-filled glasses, was a godsend, Natalie scooping up a glass brimming with the sparking liquid. She desperately needed something to help her regather her composure and face the depressing reality that she’d got carried away with herself earlier on.

Sure, Mike might think she looked sexy today. And, yes, he’d been very convincing in the role of besotted bridegroom in front of the celebrant and the photographer.

But it was now obvious that that was all it had been. A role. An act. He couldn’t wait to stop kissing her. Or to leave her to her girlfriends and talk to his mates. Alanna had been wrong and she’d been right. She wasn’t Mike’s type. Never would be, no matter how much she tarted herself up.

‘A toast to the bride and groom,’ Richard proposed.

Natalie groaned a silent groan. So did Mike, by the look on his face. If only the celebrant and photographer would leave, she thought wretchedly, they could stop all this awful pretending.

More photos followed, and more toasts, Natalie’s only relief coming from being able to replace her now-empty glass with another full one. She was infinitely grateful that she’d refused point-blank to have a wedding cake. Cutting it with Mike’s hands clasped around hers in mock love would have been intolerable!

‘I hate to hurry you,’ the celebrant said at long last. ‘But I have another wedding later this afternoon and have to drive some considerable distance to get there. So if we could please just sign the papers, I can be on my way.’

After he left, the photographer was despatched also, leaving the six friends alone. The atmosphere, however, was still not very relaxed. Mike had a face like thunder and Natalie just wanted to crawl into a bed somewhere and cry.

‘I don’t want to be rude,’ Mike suddenly threw at his friends, ‘but you’ve done your bit. The wedding’s over. So could you please just go home?’

Natalie’s mouth dropped open when his friends immediately did just that. Left.

Alanna and Holly did manage a brief parting hug, with Alanna whispering a hurried, ‘Ring me in the morning,’ but in no time flat she was alone with Mike.

‘You might not want to be rude,’ she snapped after he flicked the lock on the front door, ‘but you are rude. A word of thanks might have been in order at least. Not a summary dismissal.’

His expression was equally dismissive of her. ‘For pity’s sake, don’t be such a drama queen. My friends know the kind of man I am. And what I think of having to get married like this. The last thing they want is to be around me when I’m in a filthy mood.’