At bang on ten, a woman walked in, wringing her hands, her gaze darting around the café. The woman from the email. Abby.

Jordan sat up. Even if she hadn’t known what Abby looked like, she would know it was her. Jordan had done this many times before. Although normally, the brides weren’t quite as reluctant as Abby had sounded on the phone. Brides usually welcomed extra attention. So perhaps Abby was going to be more of a challenge than normal.

Jordan had told Abby she’d be wearing a yellow shirt. She knew it popped against her tanned skin; she always got comments when she wore it. She’d teamed it with some black trousers and white Grenson trainers for a casual, but put-together look. On first meetings like this, too formal made things stilted.

Jordan stood up and gave Abby a mini-wave, like she was shining a window.

She held out her hand as Abby approached. “Thanks for coming, Abby. It’s great to meet you.”

Abby gave her a firm handshake and a curt nod, before sitting in the chair opposite. She was dressed in dark blue jeans and a black top. Her hands were manicured, her nails polished red. They told Jordan she took care of herself. Her dark hair just hit her shoulders, flowing out into a wave as it did. Plus, she’d brought her killer cheekbones. No doubt about it, Abby was striking. She clutched her brown Coach handbag as she gave Jordan the once over.

Did Jordan’s blond hair, blue eyes, and winning smile pass the test? It seemed they did, as Abby’s body visibly relaxed.

“I nearly didn’t come.” Abby had a soft, lilting Scottish accent. She leaned back in her chair. “But then my etiquette got the better of me. I knew you’d come all the way from Brighton, and it would be a little rude of me to stand you up.” Her shoulders went up, then down. “So, here am I. How long I’m staying… Well, that depends.”

“On what? How tasty the coffee is? I can tell you it’s pretty good.” Jordan flagged down a passing waitress.

Abby gave her coffee order. Then she shifted in her seat again, before turning to hang her bag on the back of her chair.

She was staying. Round one to Jordan.

“I’ve got to say, you’re not what I expected.”

“Oh?” Jordan rarely was. “What did you expect?”

“Someone in a bridesmaid dress. Which is stupid, I know. You’re not at a wedding, so why would you do that? It’s just, you look like you could be one of my friends. Someone I know. I didn’t expect that.”