‘No. It wasn’t our choice. The singer said I left him a note but… I don’t know. It was just a silly mistake, no big deal.’ I lick my finger and wipe away the black smudges of make-up from under my eyes, so I at least look presentable.

‘Well, it gave me a jolt, so goodness knows how it made Rupert feel.’ Sadie eyes me closely. ‘They played that for Caro and Rupert’s first dance.’

‘I know. Amanda mentioned it when we went for lunch together a few weeks ago, you know when all three of us went to that new place, near the station?’

‘Oh, Emily. I didn’t realize that you knew. Are you sure you’re OK?’ Sadie’s face is creased with concern, her lipsticked mouth turned down as she gently squeezes my arm.

‘Honestly, it’s fine.’ I blink. ‘I think I’d like to just forget about it, you know? Whatever happened I don’t want to let it put a shadow over our day.’

Sadie pulls out a tiny hairbrush from her clutch bag, running it over her already immaculate bob. ‘Well, as long as you’re feeling all right. Let’s get you back out there before people start talking.’

I follow her out into the garden, back towards the hotel. ‘Sadie, those women, what they were saying… do people really think that? That I’m just out for Rupert’s money?’ Does someone want to scare me off? For a moment, I wonder whether to tell Sadie about the text message, the letter, the feeling of being watched.

Sadie stops, the shadows from the wooded area to the left of us hiding one side of her face. ‘No. Of course not. But Rupert was a very eligible widower for a while – you’re bound to have some people – some women – who are jealous. And things happened so quickly. Obviously, we all know you two are very much in love.’

‘I meant what I said in my speech, you know. That I want to live the perfect life with him. He told me that he knew immediately that I was the one for him, that he knew straight away we were meant to be together, that we’re twin souls…’ I trail off as I catch sight of someone lurking in the entrance to the woods.

‘Emily?’ Sadie turns to me, frowning. ‘Are you OK?’

‘Yes… you go on back, I’ll be in in a minute. Just need some fresh air.’