‘It’s OK,’ Lorcan soothed. ‘I’m just asking. Do you feel the same way he does?’

She shook her head. ‘No. No, I don’t. I think he just got me all confused and wondering if I was doing the right thing. I wish I’d never agreed to let him do the photography. We stayed friends after we broke up and he was always so keen to be around my family and talking about his business plans. Our parties were pretty well attended by influential people and he was always trying to hand his card over and stuff. It got kind of embarrassing sometimes. And I guess when he asked about the wedding and how much it would mean to him to be able to do this for me, I was flattered. But I don’t think it’s really about me at all. For a start, he’s charging more than some of the professionals we spoke to.’

Lorcan gave a small headshake.

‘I’ve been a real sucker, haven’t I?’

‘No, not at all. You’re kind and sweet and sometimes less moral people manipulate qualities like those for their own ends.’

‘I feel so stupid. I don’t even know if I can go through with it all now. When Patrick finds out, he’s going to be so mad and my parents are going to be talking about what a waste all this effort was.’

‘Forget all that,’ Lorcan said. ‘And I can guarantee Patrick won’t be mad. He’s just going nuts with worry. Unfortunately, word’s gone round that the bride is MIA and he’s been ringing every two minutes asking me if we’ve found you. I’ve told him everything’s in hand and you’re safe with us, but he’s been worried sick.’

Peyton’s blue eyes filled with tears again. ‘I never meant to hurt or worry him. I… I just love him so much,’ she said and burst into another fresh round of tears. Without a word between us, Lorcan and I swapped jobs as I wrapped my arms around Peyton and rocked her gently, glancing over the top of her head to where Maria was watching, worry and care creasing her face. Lorcan, in the meantime, slipped quietly out of the back door, shucking on his coat as he did so.

* * *

Ten minutes later, Maria and I had combined to calm Peyton back down and I’d taken her up to my room to let her use my bathroom to freshen up and brush her hair before returning to the kitchen. As we entered from one door, Lorcan came in through the back door, Patrick following him in. His brow was furrowed with distress and his hair was sticking up at odd angles from, I imagined, several hours of running his hands through it.