“To a successful night two,” she shouted, as the beat kicked in and the dancefloor pulsed beside them. “And of course, to Princess Abby marrying her Prince Charming, but also to getting a frenchie from a Frenchie along the way!”

Abby burst out laughing, before taking a swig of her drink, then fixing the group with a narrowed stare. “Shall we dance?”

Delta turned out to be a dancer who needed plenty of floorspace, her flailing arms clearing a path all around them. Nikita and Erin had taken it upon themselves to scope the dancefloor for possible snogging targets, which left the rest of the group spinning in Delta’s orbit, occasionally ducking to avoid being hit by her arm or her leg. Jordan stayed put in their booth, checking her phone, making sure their posh breakfast was on schedule for the morning. Sunday was the staff’s day off, so Jordan had ordered a service that delivered breakfast on silver trays to arrive at 10am.

Her eyes moved to the dancefloor, as Delta produced another power move.

Taran ducked just in time.

Delta hit Gloria on her cheek, which led Gloria to cuff Delta around the head.

Jordan suppressed a laugh. Everybody needed a Gloria on their hen weekend.

A man with blond hair was being ushered at speed towards Abby by Nikita and Erin. When he stopped in front of Abby, they shook hands, and the man leaned in and said something to Abby.

Jordan’s stomach tightened.

This was a hen weekend ritual. And yet, it felt different. She didn’t want to watch, but she knew she would.

Jordan ground her teeth together as Abby nodded, then flicked her gaze towards Jordan.

Seeking her out.

Their stares met in mid-air, and Jordan froze.

She wanted to shout at Abby, tell her to not be railroaded into kissing the man. Even though it meant nothing. Even though it was just a bit of fun.

“Loosen up!” Gloria had said.

Jordan wanted to leap over the white leather low-slung couch in front of her, push the man aside and shield Abby from what was about to happen.

But she couldn’t. Instead, she gave Abby a tepid smile, and then a thumbs-up.

A thumbs-up? Really? Was she 12?

Seconds later, Abby leaned in and kissed the man on the cheek.

Delta shook her head, and held onto both Abby’s and the man’s arms. Erin and Nikita leaned in too. More discussion.

Then Abby shook her head, pulled her arm away, and almost ran up the four steps to their booth, not looking back. Just as she was about to make it to the top, she wobbled and fell sideways.

Jordan dropped to her knees as Abby righted herself, a frown creasing her face. One hand grasped her ankle as she sat up.

“You okay? What happened?”