My mum pops her head round the corner. She’s already prepping dinner. ‘Bye, honey. Drive safe. You look lovely.’ She’s lying, but I appreciate the gesture.

I pick up the car keys and see myself out.

Even though I left late, I still get to the venue in plenty of time, and it looks amazing. I don’t need to do a single thing.

Tilly must have been working all day.

The room where the canapés and drinks (and later dancing) will take place is essentially a greenhouse; a greenhouse that Tilly has filled with twinkling lights. It looks magical.

I message Tilly.

Tilly – you have done an amazing job. It looks so beautiful in here. xx

My phone pings back almost instantly. It’s Tills.

You’re here! Can you come up to my room? I’m in the bridal suite.

I take my bags and head into the adjoining hotel to find her.

When I eventually locate her room, I open the door and a sea of heads turn towards me. I recognize a couple of them from the hen party, including her maid of honour, Nicole. I smile a hello. They’re far too busy doing bridesmaid things to pay me a huge amount of attention, so I close the door behind me.

I find Tilly at the back of the room with her hair and make-up done, the dress still hanging beautifully to one side.

‘Tills, you look stunning.’ And she does. Even half dressed, she’s a vision.

She looks at me and nods. Unlike everyone else in the room, she doesn’t appear to be having a great time.

‘Tills? What’s wrong?’

She pulls me towards her and I sit next to her on the chaise.

‘Bea, thank you so much for everything that you’ve done for this wedding. I know it seems quick to you.’ I start to shake my head. ‘It seems quick to me too. And you’ve done so much. More than any of my actual bridesmaids.’ She looks at the wider room.

‘Tills, I was happy to help. I still have some cake in my freezer.’

‘I’m glad.’ She swallows. ‘You’ve done so much, and I haven’t thanked you properly at all. Today wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for you. I’ll make it up to you. I’m not too sure how, but I will.’

‘There’s nothing to make up.’

‘Well, maybe not yet, but I have one more favour to ask.’

‘Anything.’ The word is out before I really think.

I should have thought.

‘Could you do a reading for us? One of Jeroen’s sisters was going to do it, but she’s having to look after her child who appears to be a small nightmare. I wasn’t going to ask you because you’ve already done so much, but I don’t want to ask anyone else.’

Oh God. No. Why me?

I try to come up with an acceptable excuse.

‘I haven’t practised. Don’t I need to practise?’

‘I have the reading here, so you can get comfortable with it. I think the key is to go more slowly than you think you should.’