"People will talk you know" Chummy whispered as she slipped into the Chapel, having silently tiptoed out of their bedroom from a sleeping husband and son.

"Let them. I've heard enough of it already" Shelagh responded, harking back to the gossip she had heard at the Clinic. There was no venom in her voice at all, but solely resolution that it was not going to die down any time soon so she had best just get used to it.

"I am sorry for the note" she continued. "I really could not think of a way to speak to you privately".

"Peter did wonder what it was. I just said it was another letter from Mater. A letter from her is guaranteed to make him change the subject!" she smiled, remembering seeing his face twitch at the prospect.

Chummy made herself comfortable in the seat next to her, their places reversed from the night before.

"So did you speak to Dr Turner about what we were talking about?" she asked.

"No, not yet. Clinic was far too busy today, but we may be having supper tomorrow night if he can be free. I'll will find a way to ask him then".

"Good-o" Chummy responded. "I am sure he will not be affronted at you asking you know".

"I do hope so".

"So is there any progress on a date?" Chummy asked, ever so mindful of her task of successful completion of the wedding dress.

"I spoke Father Williams about the Banns. It may be Christmas Eve".

"That's very quick!" Chummy commented then remembered the brevity of her barely 6 week engagement. "But then again who am I to talk?"

"We had considered Easter, but I think a winter wedding might be romantic. I think…."

"Think?"

"Practically speaking, I think arrangements are as in place as they can be or least being worked towards". Chummy could hear the hesitance in her voice.

"But?" she asked.

Shelagh sighed, still full of questions that she was bursting to ask someone, anyone. She had no concept of what she ought to be feeling as an engaged woman.

"What were you thinking when you walked down the aisle?"

Chummy smiled at the memory - her heart racing, holding onto Fred for dear life; being the centre of attention but for every single good reason she could think of this time.

"All I could think about was keeping in time with Fred and the music! The Wedding March? It was nearly the Wedding Wobble!"

Shelagh smiled too. She remembered turning around heart filing with pride at her friend with the sweetest, most tranquil smile on her face. She remembered Fred's speech, acting as Chummy's surrogate father, giving her away in the terribly conspicuous absence of Sir Rex Browne even though not a word had been said as to the location of the 'Father of the Bride'. She also remembered the sneer on Lady Browne's aghast face at her daughter being walked down the aisle by the local handyman with a flat cap tucked under his arm and less than shiny shoes.

"Seriously, Chummy. What were you thinking?"

"When I saw him", she continued, "all I could think about was that when I left that Church I was going to be married. It was as though we were the only ones there; just me and him. I saw David jab Peter in the side to make him turn towards me and that was that. It was as though everything was suddenly right with the world. No other blighter was there".

"I hope Patrick has that same look on his face that Peter had when he turned around and saw you".

"He will, believe me. That dress is positively spiffing, even I do say so myself and you will look beautiful in it. I hope I can do it justice".

"I was thinking as it was Christmas Eve that I might need a shawl or a jacket. I might be a good Scot but I still feel the cold terribly".

"I am sure one can stretch to that. I should collect the buttons from Mr Goldman as well soon".

"It feels awful putting so much on you Chummy. Its my wedding but I seem to be doing so very little towards it" she said, pulling her cardigan around her against the chill that was settling into the Chapel.

"I really do not mind in the least. It's a joy to have something to occupy me. The most important part though is that you turn up!"

Shelagh laughed. "We are busy and I am so very grateful for all the help I am getting. The flowers, the food, my dress...everything. I have no misgiving really, but it is all so different and sudden. I think I am starting to realise just how".

"You made an enormous decision. Far bigger a decision than any one I made" Chummy responded.

"2 months ago I had pledged my life to God. Pledged my soul to Him" she mused, wondering what she would have thought of herself if someone had told her that this was the path that her life would have taken, even those few months ago.

"Now you are pledging your soul and body to someone else". It wasn't a question, more a statement of fact.

"Yes I am".

"It's not too bad you know".

"What isn't?" Shelagh asked quickly, thinking Chummy was hinting towards another question that had been burning at her.

"Being somebody's wife. It really isn't a bad thing at all".

Suddenly the telephone rang behind them.

"I do suppose I had better answer that" Shelagh said, disappointed that their conversation was to be cut short. She gently squeezed Chummy's hand before she stood up.

"Thank you".