“Hello, not-remotely-blushing bride,” Ameerah said as they entered the bridal suite. Nory was carrying a plate laden with Jenna’s favorite breakfast foods.

“Today is the day. Happy wedding day!” trilled Nory, who was feeling much more festive after two bacon rolls and a pain au chocolat.

Jenna gave them a look that said she was not feeling the joys right at that moment. Her skin was blotchy, and she kept looking back at the nail technician, who was making an inordinate amount of noise putting away the tools of her trade.

“Pip says you need to eat,” said Ameerah, thrusting a bacon and sausage roll at Jenna.

“Nails!” was Jenna’s response. She held up her hands, revealing a perfect French polish.

“Here, give it to me,” said Nory, taking the roll from Ameerah and holding it in front of Jenna’s face. Jenna leaned forward on her furry dressing-table stool and took a bite out of the roll, as though it was absolutely normal for her to be fed like a Roman empress.

“How are you feeling?” Ameerah asked.

“Ask me again when I’ve eaten,” Jenna replied around a mouthful of sausage.

Nory took a tissue from the box on the dressing table and dabbed at a ketchup blob at the side of Jenna’s mouth.

“Your nails look nice,” said Nory.

“Toes too,” said Jenna, munching. “I’ve been well and truly nailed.”

“You’re not the only one,” said Ameerah under her breath.

“Huh?” Jenna exclaimed, biting into the croissant now being proffered by Nory, the roll having been polished off in two bites.

“Nothing,” said Nory. “What’s next?”

“Hair, then makeup. Photos in slinky dressing gown—made to look natural, as though I just woke up looking fabulous—then dress on, then . . .” She looked up, her eyes wide as if suddenly realizing a great truth. “Then I’m getting married!”

“Oh, yes you are!” Nory smiled.

“Oh my god, I’M GETTING MARRIED!”

Nory had barely enough time to replace the half-eaten croissant on the dressing table before Jenna jumped up and rushed forward, throwing her arms around them.

“Oh my god. It’s actually happening!” she screamed.

“About time! Ouch, watch the curlers, Jen.”

“Sorry,” said Jenna, pulling away. “I’m just so happy you’re both here for today. I’m the first of us girls to get married. How weird is that? I didn’t think I was the marrying type.”

“Oh, I always thought you were the marrying type,” said Ameerah.

“If only your school self could see your grown-up self. Would you believe you’d be a successful actress and about to marry Charles.” Nory laughed. “It’s so perfect!”

“Elinor, stop gushing.” Ameerah turned to Jenna. “She’s overwrought because she actually had sex for the first time in forever.” Ameerah rolled up a slice of Emmental cheese and bit into it.

“Oh my god! With Isaac?”