‘And now I’m wondering if we really have rushed into things, like people said,’ Peyton finished, inhaling a massive gulp of air to make up for not having done so for what seemed like several minutes as she’d poured out her worries and panic. We were sitting in a massive four-by-four like the one the hire company had tried to give me and looking out over a field of sheep. Well, we had been but a combination of our warm breath and Peyton’s hot tears had steamed the windows, so it felt as if we were stuck in a bubble.

‘Everybody gets nervous, that’s natural. But you and Patrick have been together for three years and you both wanted this. It’s not exactly a two week whirlwind romance. Neither of you were pushing the other, which is just how it should be in a partnership that’s right.’ I started with reason and hoped that would be the only tool I’d need from my emotional toolbox to fix this.

‘But what if I wanted to go back to the States to live? I mean, I do have my family and lots of friends over there.’

‘Do you want to move back?’

‘No. I love our house and where we live. I’m just thinking about the future.’ She gave a sniff.

‘But you travel back and forth now, don’t you, when you want to see your family? And they’re happy and able to travel too so that always makes things easier.’

‘That’s true.’

‘And if that was something you did decide in the future, then you and Patrick would talk it over, like you do everything, and you’d find a solution.’

She nodded and worried a false nail. I sat on my hands in order not to try and move it away from her mouth. That was a minor problem compared to the bride getting cold feet.

‘I suppose. Do you think Patrick loves me?’ she asked, looking at me as if she was genuinely concerned.

‘I do,’ I replied without hesitation. ‘And I know you think I probably say that to everyone, but the moment you two walked into my house that day it was obvious. I don’t think he just loves you. That man absolutely adores you. He’d do anything for you. You were bouncing about at some godforsaken time when you video-called me while he was trying to sleep and he accepts that’s you and adores you all the more for it because he loves you. Without question.’

‘Why do you think he said about getting married over here? I mean, it’s meant all my family and friends have had to travel whereas most of his are quite local.’