Bridesmaids. Zara Stoneley

slides out from behind me and sits down. ‘Isn’t this fab? I’m so pleased you could all make it! But this isn’t the whole surprise.’ This is good, what is also good is that Rachel has distracted us all, so it stops me staring open-mouthed at Maddie and Sal.

      ‘Guess what?’ She doesn’t give anybody time to answer. ‘I’m getting married!’ Rachel actually squeals and claps her hands. ‘Isn’t it brill?’

      With this reminder about why we’re all here, I completely forget about the Sally and Maddie stand-off. They could be scrapping like two cats over a fish head and right now I’d be oblivious. What is important now is that my smile is genuine, that I really do show my best friend that I’m happy for her, and that I really can set aside all my doubts about Michael, and happy ever afters in general.

      And stop feeling slightly sick about the prospect of walking up the aisle. Or going to a hen party. Or wearing a pretty dress.

      Rachel shoves her hand out, so we can admire the rock. It is my first glimpse. If we hadn’t been talking earth-shattering Mads and Sal stuff in the Ladies’, I would have noticed.

      Whatever she did to change Michael, it definitely worked. This is one serious diamond. This says commitment in capital letters.

      Sal shrieks and hugs her. ‘I knew it! Didn’t I say! I just knew it!’

      ‘Oh, God, girls, you should have seen him! He came to pick me up in a limo and had posh champagne, and everything.’

      I fight to ignore the churning in my stomach. It’s just excitement, nerves, something. But I never did trust flamboyant gestures, although that is what people do when they propose, isn’t it?

      Maddie is fanning herself and making aww noises, and Sal is dabbing the corner of her eye theatrically, and I’m welling up all over again.

      Maybe Michael has changed, after all it is a while since I’ve seen him (which suits both of us). And he has come running back with his tail between his legs, begging her to marry him – so maybe he’s learned his lesson, and will love and protect my best buddy ‘til the end of their days. I have to believe that.

      ‘What are we waiting for, let’s order a bottle of bubbly!’

      ‘Yes, yes!’ Rachel is grinning, hugging herself and looks so happy that I’m happy for her. ‘After you’ve all said you will …’ She pauses and looks at us in turn.

      I look at Maddie and Sally who raise eyebrows and shrug in turn. They obviously haven’t heard this bit yet.

      ‘Be my bridesmaids! That’s why I asked you all here. Oh, you will, won’t you? You have to, it won’t be the same if you don’t!’

      ‘I’d love to!’ Maddie smiles, but it’s a little uncertain and I notice her slightly shifty ‘Princess Diana’ sideways look towards Sally. She blushes when she realises I’ve noticed and clears her throat. ‘It would be an honour, thank you so much for asking.’ The pinpricks of pink on her cheekbones, and the slight sheen to her eyes makes me frown. She’s also clasping her hands so tightly together in her lap that the knuckles have gone white.

      Maddie is sweet, kind and unconfrontational. I’m suddenly sorry about the fact that I’ve not seen her for years.

      Rachel waves a hand and the barman arrives with a bottle of champagne that has obviously been pre-arranged.

      ‘Abso-fucking-lutely!’ What else can I say? I can’t spoil the perfect moment, can I? ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world!’

      Sally grabs Rachel. ‘I am so pleased for you, it’s going to be ace. I can honestly say my wedding was the best day of my life!’

      There is a squeak, it actually sounds like a small rodent in pain. Maddie’s hand is over her mouth and she practically vaults over the table (not easy in that skirt) in her rush to the Ladies’.

      We all freeze. Then Sally starts to twiddle with her glass, and Rachel throws me a guilty look.

      ‘Sorry.’ She mouths the word barrier. ‘She said she’d be okay, she did know about …’ She throws a guilty look at Sally, who sighs.

      ‘I suppose we should have warned you.’

      ‘Warned me! What difference would being warned have made? It’s Maddie who’s upset, not me.’

      ‘I thought you’d already know, you know Rachel might have mentioned it, or you’d have seen it on my Instagram.’ Sal’s voice has a defensive, scratchy edge.

      ‘Seen what on Instagram?’ I didn’t even know Sally had an Instagram account, like I said before, we were never close. They both seem to be stuck for words. ‘Oh, you mean your wedding pics.’ I hope I don’t sound as cold as I feel.

      ‘Well, it’s not like I’ve done anything illegal, is it? She finished with Jack, he was heartbroken!’

      I could thump her. But I don’t.

      ‘So you stepped in to console him?’

      She shrugs. ‘Something like that. Oh whatever, it was ages ago, she should be over it all. He was available for fuck’s sake!’ Sal’s eyes are narrowed as she looks at me, then delivers her final blow. Sweetly. ‘And now he’s not.’