The door closes behind her and she stares at me, her eyes glittering, her mouth slightly open. I shouldn’t be this happy to see her – not after the last conversation we had. But the fact that she’s here must mean she wants to patch things up.

‘I know we left things on a weird note, but I’m so glad you changed your mind. It just didn’t feel right, getting married without my little sister here.’ I find that I really mean it. Despite what’s gone on between us, I’m desperate to move on and forgive the past. I take a step towards her to give her a hug, but my sister recoils, stopping me in my tracks.

‘Save it, Zoe,’ she sneers. ‘I know you don’t want me here any more than I want to be here.’ Her words hit me in the gut. She’s not here to make amends after all.

I shake my head. ‘Why are you being like this, Dee? Is it because of the money?’ If she still has a problem with me, why did she have to choose today of all days to come back into my life? Maybe she planned it on purpose to ruin my big day. Well, she’s succeeding… unless I can shrug her off and not rise to the bait. ‘How did you even get into my room?’

‘Told them I was your sister. They gave me a key.’

‘Well they shouldn’t have. You could have been lying for all they know.’

‘It was Mandy on reception. You know, with the big boobs and glasses. I was in her year at school.’

‘She still shouldn’t have given you the—’

‘Are we really going to stand here talking about what Mandy should or shouldn’t have done?’ There’s a slight drawl to her voice which I first take as heavy sarcasm, but she might be slurring her words.

‘Have you been drinking?’

She snorts out a laugh. ‘You could say that.’

‘Look, I realise we’ve got lots to discuss, but as you can see it’s my wedding day. Surely this can wait for another time. Why don’t we sit down, have a quick catch-up?’ I gesture to the seating area. ‘We haven’t seen one another for almost ten years. Not since you were sixteen. The least we could do is—’

‘I’m not here to catch up,’ she snaps. ‘I’m not even here to see you.’

‘Okay. Well, Dad’s downstairs in the bar getting a coffee with Cassie and her family. We can surprise him.’

‘Not here to see Dad either.’

‘So why exactly are you here?’ I throw my hands up in despair and disappointment.

‘Where’s Toby?’

‘Dina, no! You can’t tell him!’ My hands have started shaking uncontrollably.