But she turns her back and leaves the room. I trail after her, pleading for her to reconsider, knowing that this kind of revelation could ruin everything. I’d like to think that once I explain to Toby that my sister is lying, he’ll eventually understand, but it will take time and it will mean that today won’t be the magical day I was dreaming of. In fact, it’s already tainted. I’m trembling with anger and shock, terrified about what my husband-to-be will do when he hears Dina’s exaggerated version of my past. And what about Celia and Malcolm? They’ll be horrified.

‘Dina, come back! You’re drunk! Please… you don’t know what you’re saying. Why are you doing this?’

She knocks on the door next to mine and then moves on to the next. ‘Toby, are you in there?’ She glances back at me, a vindictive expression on her face.

Last night, Toby stayed in a room next to his parents’, just along the corridor from me. Dina is almost outside his door now. Thankfully, no one else has answered Dina’s knocks – I’m hoping those rooms are unoccupied and I’m praying that by some miracle Toby doesn’t answer.

‘He’s on the next floor up,’ I bluff, hoping she buys it.

‘Why would you tell me that?’ she scoffs, now knocking on Toby’s door.

I pray for Toby to be anywhere but in his room, but a moment later, he opens the door, his mouth falling open at the sight of my dishevelled, drunken sister. He’s already in his suit, the top button of his shirt open, his black tie hanging loose around his neck. My husband-to-be – unless my sister ruins everything. ‘Dina? Uh…’ And then he spies me behind her and his face blanches. ‘Zoe, what’s going on? You shouldn’t be here. I’m not supposed to see you until later.’

Dina pushes past him into his room. ‘Hello, Toby.’

Toby makes to close the door before I can follow her inside. ‘You go back to your room, Zoe. I’ll pretend I didn’t see you. Isn’t it bad luck to see the bride before we’re married?’

‘My sister’s drunk.’ I force my way past him, into his room, closing the door behind me. We’re all standing in the centre of the room now, equidistant from one another.

Toby glances from me to Dina. He looks panicked and I don’t blame him. But even faced with my deranged sister, he’s still looking out for me. ‘Honestly, go back to your room. I’ll sort this out.’