“I don’t think you should focus on that. Instead, turn your attention to how you’re feeling about Abby.” Karen put a hand over Jordan’s chest. “What happens in here when I say her name?”

Jordan gulped. “My heart starts to race.”

“How does it feel when I tell you she’s going to marry Marcus?”

“Devastating.” Jordan sat back, and removed Karen’s hand. That answer came in a flash. “If she goes through with it, I don’t think I’ll ever do this job again, anyway. It’ll always remind me of her.”

“Wow.” Karen tapped the dashboard again. “So if she gets married, you’re changing careers. If she doesn’t get married, you’ll have to change careers, too. With the job out of the equation, what have you got to lose? You’re her bridesmaid. You’re going to see her in the morning before the church. Just tell her how you feel. And if she still goes through with it, she was never worth it in the first place. Because you deserve someone who wants you and only you.”

Jordan stared at her best friend.

Karen was right. This was a matter of the heart. As such, she couldn’t ignore it.

Her phone lit up with a text message. Jordan glanced down at it.

It was from Abby.

Jordan began to shake. Was she thinking the same thing and taking action? Jordan’s heartbeat vaulted upwards as she grabbed her phone and pressed the text button.

Hi Jordan. I’ve been thinking about what Delta said, and maybe she’s right. You shouldn’t come tomorrow. It’s going to make it too hard for both of us. Thanks for everything. A x

Jordan stared at the text message. All the stars in the universe burst. The sun drained of heat. Her heart shattered into a million tiny pieces.

Abby had made her decision.

She put her forehead on the steering wheel, a gentle sob escaping her throat as her face crumpled.

She’d known it would go this way.

But when it actually happened, the truth was so much harder to take.

Chapter 29

Abby took a step up into the vintage white Jaguar, helped by her mum. Gloria was looking incredible, dressed in monochrome, with a black-and-white fascinator placed perfectly on her freshly cut red hair. The car door shut, and then it was just the two of them. The bonnet of the car was adorned with festive cream ribbons. Her bridesmaids had already gone ahead in a different car. Sitting up front was the driver, replete with peaked cap. It reminded her of Michelle.

Of the plane.

Jordan.

Stop.

They drove down the main road in the village. Past the HSBC bank. Past the park with its trees in full bloom.