Michael slowed the car down and began to park. ‘Just over there, that little church there on the left. The reception is in a pub, just there, so not far to go.’

I felt a shiver run through me as I looked at the small crowd gathering outside the church; to my surprise, amongst them were Stuart and his wife, Janet. This is weird, I thought, as Michael got out then went round to open the car door for me. We’re on the street where Billy lived, about to go into a church where maybe Billy used to go. Could this be a defining moment and Michael will experience that sense of déjà vu that we were just talking about.

*

Fifteen minutes later, I found myself seated in the church that Marcia and I had looked at back in January. Stuart and Janet were sitting three rows in front and, so far, hadn’t seen me. Michael was at the back, greeting the guests, who were still arriving. Up at the front, a nervous young groom was standing at the altar. I looked around at the stained-glass windows, the inscription on the wall where Marcia and I had found Billy’s name. I wondered again if Heather was right and this was the church where Grace and Billy were due to be married. Does it seem familiar? I asked myself, but still nothing resonated. I thought back to Mum and Dad telling me about my imaginary friend when I was little and how I used to plan my wedding. If any of it was true, then Grace had been planning her wedding just as I had been planning mine to Graham so many moons ago. The thought made me feel overwhelmingly sad. Stop this, I told myself, this is a wedding, a happy occasion. At that moment, Stuart turned around to look at the guests and he spotted me. He looked very dashing in a grey suit; and appeared surprised to see me but smiled and waved. The bride’s arrival music began to play and the congregation stood to watch as Melanie, a blonde English rose in an elegant ivory dress and veil, advanced along the aisle on Michael’s arm.

It was a lovely service, and as soon as it was over and the couple had gone to sign the register, Michael went to the front and called for attention. ‘The reception will be held in the Bell and Anchor next door. Not far to go, out of the church then turn right and we’re in the room upstairs above the pub. Help yourselves to a drink, but please could all the immediate family stay here for a short while to get some photos while everyone can still stand up.’