My heart is hammering in my chest now and my hands are starting to shake.

‘Maybe I’ve read it all wrong. I haven’t missed the touches, shared glances between them or when they take those soppy selfies together.’

Douglas’s eyes go wide.

‘You know those were for show on social media, right? To back up their visa application,’ he says. ‘I honestly wouldn’t be pushing it if I thought they were really in love. But no matter what happens, I’ll be there for you, the way you were there for me when I got arrested.’

He reaches over and takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze. The train lurches into action and he grins at me.

‘This is it. Less than one hour to the wedding,’ says Douglas. I can only assume I look alarmed as Douglas squeezes my hand again to reassure me. ‘We’ve got plenty of time. Plenty.’

Half an hour later, we’ve managed to make it to the next station. I’m having trouble sitting still and keeping my panic at bay.

‘Hello, ladies and gentlemen, this is your guard speaking. I’m afraid we’re unable to go any further on our journey at this time. There will be rail replacement buses arriving shortly.’

‘What?’ I scream. I’d been holding it together quite well until now.

‘I don’t think we’re going to make it in time. You’re going to have to phone him,’ says Douglas. He looks crestfallen.

‘I can’t, it’s not the kind of thing that you can say over the phone. Hello, Joel, I know you’re getting married in a minute, but surprise, I loved you seventeen years ago and I think I love you now, too.’

Douglas picks up his phone.

‘What are you doing?’

He taps it a few times and then holds it to his ear.

‘Hello, can I get a taxi going from Christchurch station to Bournemouth, to collect as soon as possible, please …’ I sink with relief that he’s not phoning Joel.

It’s a good job Douglas booked ahead because the few taxis that were waiting by the entrance were pulling away when we made it outside the station. We get in when ours arrives and we have a nail-biting journey that I spend with one eye on the meter and the other on Douglas’s watch.

‘We’ve still got time,’ he says, and his phone starts to ring. ‘Hi, I’m in a taxi, the train stopped, we— I’m just driving into Bournemouth now. I shouldn’t be too much longer. Are you still at the hotel … OK … OK … I’ll meet you there.’

He hangs up the phone and he looks at me.

‘They’re heading to the registry office now. The registrar has to interview them before the ceremony.’

‘I won’t have time to talk to him.’

‘You will. We can do this.’