She slapped that thought away as quickly as it had arisen. “Just to reiterate the back story, because it might come up at the hen. We met at primary school. Then she was whisked away by her military parents to Germany. We got back in touch via Facebook in the last six months and I always promised Jordan she’d be my bridesmaid, so here she is.”

“Shame we never met before, Jordan,” Delta said. “I’ve known Abby since we were 17. So not quite as long as you.” The snark in her voice was audible.

“We all know the truth, that’s the main thing,” Jordan replied, skilfully side-stepping the tension seeping from Delta. “I’m relying on your input as you know Abby best. She tells me you came up with a good few of the grand plans for the weekend.”

Delta dipped her head, at least having the good grace to look embarrassed.

“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, the weekend is now in tip-top shape.” Jordan swept her gaze around the table. “Transport, food, entertainment, surprises. It’s going to be great.”

“It will be, because we’re all going to be there,” Delta said.

Abby eyed her. Was that the sound of her thawing a little? She really hoped so, otherwise the hen weekend was going to be long. “Just like you’re going to be at my final dress decision, dearest maid of honour?” Her tone was pointed.

Gloria glanced at her daughter. “I told you I can’t make that, right? I’ve got a conference.”

Abby nodded. “You did. But you were at the first one, so that’s fine. I’ve had both dresses fitted already. I held up the final decision on which one to choose so Delta could be there. Plus, now Jordan’s coming, too.”

Delta gave a salute. “I’m there. Jordan might have taken over some things, but not everything.”

“Good.” Abby sat back, smiling at her wedding crew.

This was it.

It looked like she was getting married.

Chapter 11

Abby sat on the bridal shop sofa, flicking through Perfect Bride magazine. It’d been six days since Abby had seen Jordan at the drinks with her mum and Delta, and she had to admit she’d been impressed. Jordan had won Abby around with her charm, but she’d also won over her mum and Delta, which was no mean feat. Whatever bomb Delta had thrown at her, Jordan had defused. Had she said she studied psychology at uni? If so, she clearly remembered everything she’d been taught.

Unlike Abby, who’d done an economics degree, and never used any of the theory she’d learned. Still, she looked back on college as fun years, albeit ones she wished she’d paid more attention to. But college, like youth, was wasted on the young. Then she smiled. She was still only 36. She was hardly ancient. Some days, she just felt like it.