‘Yeah, I fell and hit my head on a desk. I must have got light-headed or something.’

‘What bad luck – fainting on your wedding day! I thought your weird mood might have been something to do with your sister not showing up.’

‘My sister?’

‘Yeah. She was a little troublemaker, that one.’

Cassie’s mention of Dina makes me uncomfortable and I stop cutting for a moment. ‘Why do you say that? I mean, I know she wasn’t the most sociable girl in the world, not after Mum died, but she wasn’t that bad.’ I’m defending my sister, even though I know what Cassie’s saying is true. I just don’t like anyone else criticising her.

‘Forget it.’ Cassie waves away my question with a flick of her wrist.

‘No, you must have a reason. What did she do?’

‘Nothing. It was just a vibe she gave off.’

‘Anyway, I think she might be back in town.’ I start cutting again.

Cassie looks up sharply and I almost stab her in the eye with my scissors. ‘Watch it!’

I lean down to check whether I’ve drawn blood. Thankfully she appears unharmed. ‘Are you okay?’

‘I’m fine. You need to be more careful with those scissors, Zoe.’

‘Sorry, but you did flinch.’

‘I don’t think I did.’

‘Okay, well, sorry.’

‘That’s all right, no harm done.’ She pats the spot above her eye where the scissors caught her.

My heart is hammering, and I wipe a smear of sweat from my top lip. That was a near miss. But she definitely flinched.

‘What makes you say Dina’s back?’ Cassie asks before taking a few sips of water.

‘I thought I saw her in town the other day. It was just a glimpse, but I’m pretty sure it was her.’

‘Hmm, I doubt that.’ She shifts in her seat.

I try not to let Cassie’s words unnerve me. She always loved to stir up trouble and it seems she hasn’t changed. I should know by now not to take too much notice, but she’s got me thinking about Dina and about her absence on my wedding day. About how my memories of everything back then are so hazy.

‘What would you know about where Dina is?’ I flash Cassie a smile to let her know I’m not accusing her of anything.

She shrugs. ‘Nothing. Just… why would she bother coming back here when she’s off travelling the world?’

‘Same reason as you’re here,’ I reply. ‘Because it’s her home.’

Finally, I finish the cut, blow-dry the remaining damp sections and apply some product. I have to admit that it really does look amazing on her. Almost everyone at the salon comes over to admire how gorgeous she looks. But, strangely, Cassie has gone quiet.