‘Small sips,’ Celia instructs. ‘We left you to go get our make-up done at the spa. Then Nick came in to borrow a phone charger. It’s a good thing he was here, because that’s when you fainted, and he called me. I told the other two to stay there – didn’t want you getting crowded with too many people fussing. Looks like you hit the back of your head on the desk on your way down.’

I reach up to gingerly pat the back of my head and wince. Sure enough, I feel a pebble-like lump beneath my fingers.

‘Do you feel nauseous at all?’ Celia asks.

‘A little. Not too much. I’ve got an evil headache though.’

My mother-in-law-to-be rummages in her handbag and pulls out a packet of paracetamol. ‘Take a couple of these.’

I put the pills in my mouth one at a time, knocking each one back with a slug of water.

‘Maybe we should get you checked out?’ Malcolm runs a hand through his sparse grey hair. He turns to Toby. ‘She looks decidedly peaky, son.’

‘I know, but Mum said she’ll be okay,’ Toby replies uncertainly.

‘I know what your mum said, but it can’t hurt to—’

‘Thanks, Malcolm,’ I interrupt, ‘but I don’t want to miss my wedding because of a bump on the head. If I still feel bad, I’ll go to the doctor’s later.’

‘Well, okay. But perhaps I should let Guy know. You might be unsteady on your feet as he walks you down the aisle.’ Malcolm turns to leave.

Toby stands and puts a hand on his father’s shoulder. ‘Wait…’

‘Toby’s right. Don’t tell my dad. He’ll only worry.’ I stagger to my feet and find to my dismay that I have to lean on a chair to steady myself. My legs are so shaky. What if I’m not strong enough to stand and say my vows? I think of all the people in the little chapel next to the hotel who have come to see us get married. All the weeks of planning. My utter joy and excitement at the thought of becoming Mrs Zoe Johnson. I can’t not get married, no matter how shaky I feel. I let go of the chair and square my shoulders. ‘Do you know what? Celia’s right, I’m absolutely fine. Honestly, I already feel so much better. I think it must have been nerves that made me faint. Or maybe hunger. Thinking about it, I did skip breakfast.’

‘Well, that’ll be it,’ Celia declares. ‘Let me call room service and get you something sugary. A piece of cake maybe. In the meantime, you should sit down, love. Rest a while.’