Hannah was relieved when the wedding party was finally ushered to the top table, snowy white punctuated with peach napkins. She could glug down a glass of water and kick off her stilt-like shoes under the long tablecloth. She was still stuck with Amanda Louise. All the bridesmaids were on Leesa’s side of the table while Nan, Mo, Jeremy and Eerich the best man were lined up beside Rob.

Try as she might to remember that Amanda Louise, Leesa’s best friend, had to be put up with, Hannah couldn’t help but be irritated as her companion’s gaze lit on Nico on a round table nearby and she began to gush ostentatiously about the hotel’s gracious proportions.

The top table was being served by waiting staff but ordinary guests had to queue at a buffet and Nico, showing no sign of listening, went to juggle three plates of hot meats, quiches and side dishes. Hannah would have jumped up to offer a hand if he hadn’t been managing so swiftly and efficiently. She watched Josie play a game with Maria, who was strapped firmly into a high chair. Josie was a slender child with a ready smile, Maria a cherub with curls at the ends of her hair. Nico returned and set a plate before each girl.

As Amanda Louise expounded on the table wine Hannah ate hot beef, chickpeas and roasted tomatoes, still watching Nico’s group. Nobody would guess Maria wasn’t his. He divided his time equally between the two girls as Josie chattered and Maria ate with an approving, ‘Mmm, mmm, mmm.’

When the feeding frenzy around the buffet had passed, the staff delivered cake stands to each table and shortly after came the tortuous business of the speeches. Eerich was funny and Jemima touching, wishing their parents were here to see Leesa married but still enjoying the chance to speak at a wedding. Rob thanked everyone for joining in their wonderful day and the toasts marked an end to formality.

The volume of noise rose and people began table hopping. Nico set Maria free and Josie got down to play with her. Other kids joined them and soon they were skidding around the polished floor in their socks. Nico arranged himself so he could watch them, stretched out his long legs, poured a huge glass of red wine and unfastened his top shirt button behind the knot of his tie.

Amanda Louise began lecturing again, this time on the subject of the bridesmaids’ dresses. ‘I tried to persuade Leesa we should have silk. Silk’s so classy,’ she said carryingly. ‘I can’t bear anything man-made.’

Hannah retorted before she considered her company. ‘Not even orgasms?’

Nico snorted into his glass, then snatched up his napkin.

‘Fun-nee!’ sniped Amanda Louise and stalked off to talk to someone further down the room.