She recalled a conversation she and Marcus had recently about names for their first-born. Marcus had wanted what Gloria would refer to as “up yourself” names. Abby hadn’t wanted to argue, but she knew once they were married, they’d have to work this stuff out. But would they? Would she end up with children called Penelope and Jasper, rather than Harper and Luke? She couldn’t imagine it. But maybe it all started by having a honeymoon somewhere she didn’t want to go in the first place.

Small decisions with big implications.

“You don’t look very happy about going on honeymoon, if you don’t mind me saying.”

Abby reached for her wine before replying. “I am, it’s just the Maldives isn’t where I wanted to go. I suggested Paris, but Marcus and Marjorie both said that wasn’t grand enough. The Maldives is where everyone goes, like you said. But it’s also far away and requires a plane. The less air travel I have to do, the better for my nerves and my life.”

“Have you told Marcus how you feel?” Jordan frowned as she spoke.

Abby nodded. “I did, but he didn’t listen. He’s excited, and thinks this is what all women want. The funny thing is, he always told me he fell in love with me because I wasn’t like any other girl he’d been out with. But as soon as I agreed to marry him, all of that flew out the window. Now he’s doing everything by the book: wedding venue, cake, massive hens and stags. He’s got caught up in the whole thing, and it’s not what I ever imagined. When I think about the ceremony, which I have a lot over the past few months, I guess I would have liked something in St Albans, where my parents are. Or perhaps in Scotland, where it all started. Maybe even in a castle on a loch.”

“But it’s actually happening in a manor house in Surrey.”

Abby’s shoulder slumped. “It is. Ceremony in the nearby church where Marcus’s family go. Then back to the manor house for the reception. All because of Marjorie and Marcus joining forces and being persuasive.”

Jordan’s gaze was intense as she stared at Abby. “You never had a box under your bed where you kept clippings of the dress you wanted, and all of that?”

Abby’s stomach flexed. “Fuck, no. For one, my mother would have thrown it out, demanding I have bigger ambitions than getting married.”

Jordan’s deep, joyous laugh split the warm evening air.

“Have I told you I love your mum?”