‘You do look a little washed-out this morning, if you don’t mind me saying.’ Celia brings over our cups of tea and settles herself opposite me. She’s dressed casually in a blue floral jumper, dark-grey jeans and navy ankle books. Her make-up is light, with just a touch of blush and a smear of pale-pink lipstick. ‘I knocked on Madeline’s door too, but I think she must still be asleep.’

Just like my urge to unburden myself to Dad, I really want to tell Celia what I learned about my wedding day. It’s like an itch I need to scratch.

‘Have one of these.’ Celia unfolds the napkins to reveal some squashed mini pastries. ‘The maple and pecan are delicious.’

I’m not hungry, but I make a pretence of tearing off a corner and popping it in my mouth. I can tell Celia’s not fooled; she raises her eyebrows and her nostrils flare delicately.

I leave the pastry and reach for my tea instead, sipping at the scalding liquid. ‘Being back here at the hotel has really brought back memories of our wedding day.’

‘I’m sure it has.’ Celia takes a sip of her tea. ‘Such a magical ceremony.’

I hesitate. ‘Do you remember what happened when I… passed out?’

Celia pauses mid-sip. ‘Oh, gosh, yes, that’s right, you fainted, didn’t you?’

‘But how did it actually happen?’

‘Well, of course I didn’t see it. I was downstairs with your bridesmaids getting my make-up done. That girl really overdid my eye make-up. I had to wipe most of it off. But that’s beside the point. Nick called to tell me what had happened. Asked me to come straight up and check you were okay. He was worried sick, poor soul. You gave us all a real fright.’

‘It’s just weird that I can’t remember it at all. One minute I was getting ready with you, Lou and Becky, and the next I was waking up on the floor.’

‘Well we found out later that you were pregnant with Alice, so that explained the fainting episode. I used to get very dizzy when I was expecting Toby. I fainted on a bus once. It was quite embarrassing.’

‘It’s weird, because since I’ve been back here, I think it’s triggered something in my brain. I’m starting to get flashbacks of that day. Only I can’t make proper sense of them.’ I need to shut up now. Celia has always been my go-to person to confide in. But I know she’s the last person I should be saying anything to. Toby would be so upset if he thought I was going to burden his mum with any of this. It wouldn’t be fair. ‘I just wondered if, as a nurse, whether you think my memories might return properly. Have you come across this type of thing before?’