Lorcan gave a brief smile, lifted his hand in goodbye and hung up. I switched the phone onto flight mode, and picked up my book. As I opened it to the correct page, a flicker of thought passed through my mind that it might have been nice not to have had my life scheduled so rigorously this evening, that talking a little longer with Lorcan, relaxed and calm, might have been more enjoyable. I let out an irritated sigh and wriggled in the bed to get comfy. Of course that wasn’t the case! I was exactly where I should be, at exactly the right time doing exactly what I should be doing. So if that was the case, why did I wish Lorcan hadn’t been as respectful – for once – of my planning and carried on chatting?

After ten minutes of reading my book and not taking in one word, I closed it a little more forcefully than required, switched off the light and buried down under the duvet. I desperately needed this wedding job, but both the location and the best man were having some very strange and unexpected effects on me. The sooner this was all done, the better it would be. Then I could not only get my roof fixed but I could go back to my normal routine and know for certain, as I had for years, that this was the best way to live my life. Closing my eyes, I began counting sheep, but that only brought with it images of rolling, lush green fields and tall, dark, handsome Irishmen.

Slamming back the cover, I grabbed my phone, found a true crime podcast, switched it on and eventually drifted off to sleep.

29

‘He’s yummy!’ Izzy whispered, taking advantage of the fact that Rob had just started chatting to Lorcan about rugby and found a willing listener. ‘Is he single? And if so, why aren’t you seeing him?’ Her eyes sparkled with mischief and delight as we pretended to be looking through some new stock.

‘Yes, he is. And because he’s a member of the wedding party. Also, a lot of the time we drive each other bananas.’

Izzy waved her hand. ‘That’s nothing. Remember how Rob and I got together and we’re still happy as anything.’

‘Yes, but it’s not the same.’

‘Why not?’

‘It… just isn’t.’

‘Oh. So long as you have a good, solid reason,’ she replied, grinning, and I shook my head, unable to stop myself being swept up in her giggles.

‘Have you seen everything you need to here?’ Izzy asked.

‘Yes, that’s all great, thanks for staying on a bit later. Peyton’s dress is absolutely beautiful. I mean, you made it so it would be, but seeing it in real life is just so much better. She’s going to look amazing. You’re so talented.’

‘Thanks, hon. Peyton had some great ideas, which was helpful.’