“In my defence, I ate enough of it during my childhood to last a lifetime. Growing up in Glasgow, white bread was a staple of any diet.” Abby sat back in her chair, stroking the rim of her glass. “Now I’ve taught you how to drive a golf ball, it’s your turn to teach me how to pretend we know each other well. I’m still not sure I can pull this off.”

Jordan shook her head. “Course you can. Nothing to it. Plus, because I am a long-lost friend from your past, you’re not going to know everything about my life in detail, seeing as we’re just catching up. So the story is perfect. The key thing is to spend as much time together before the wedding. Not every waking moment, obviously, but times like this. You show me what makes you tick, and it’s a two-way street. Ask me anything you like, too. I’m happy to answer.”

Abby nodded. It made sense. She wasn’t worried about the wedding day itself, because nobody was going to quiz her about their past then. It was more the hen weekend. The lead-up drinks. The rehearsal dinner. Delta knew, along with Marcus’s parents. Her parents would know by then. Everybody else, they had to convince.

“So you were whisked away from my school when we were what age?”

Jordan stroked her chin. “Let’s say nine. That way, it gives us a few years of being besties. The beauty of this story is that I’m not really lying. Like I said, my childhood was studded with moves, and leaving behind new friends. In the end, I didn’t try so hard to make friends. It was easier that way. Saved the heartache.”

“My childhood was the opposite to you. I had a very settled time. My mum worked full-time, my dad worked from home and did the school run most days.”

“I could only dream of that,” Jordan said. “Do you still see friends from your childhood?”

Abby shook her head. “Not so much now I live down here. But some of them will be coming to the wedding. But I’m not worried about our cover being blown. Give them enough wine and they won’t ask any questions.”

“Works every time.” Jordan paused. “When little Abby was running around her Scottish playground, dreaming of white bread sandwiches, did you want to work in finance then?”

Abby scoffed. “Does anyone dream of that?”

“My cousin did. But he is a little odd.”