Delia checked the time on her phone again, and sighed as she looked out of the Uber window at the queue of red tail lights stretching out in front of them. She'd already had to miss Barbara and Tom's wedding ceremony because of work, she didn't want to miss out on any of the reception.

Bloody London.

She used the camera on her phone to check her make-up once more as the car crept forward a few metres. She knew she looked good, she'd spent too much time fussing over her outfit last night to not know that. She just needed to be sure she still looked good. Not for any particular reason…Or any particular person…She just wanted to look her best. It had nothing whatsoever to do with a particular redheaded bridesmaid. Nope. Not at all. Not one little bit.

The car came to a halt again. At this rate she'd be better off walking.

—

Patsy supervised the finishing touches as the Tudor Barn was transformed from wedding chapel into banqueting hall. The staff had done a marvellous job, but she was known for being a perfectionist, so she held no qualms with shifting a few decorations to catch the light better or swapping centrepieces from one table to another to maintain the symmetry of the room. While Val and Trixie helped the happy couple with one final spruce up in the backroom, she was content right here. She had considered going into wedding planning if she ever got bored with nursing. She thought she'd be rather good at it.

As the last few glasses were put in position on the tables, she had one final job to do. Name cards. She swiftly made her way around the room, under strict instructions that Aunt Mabel and Aunt Doris were kept out of each others eye-line, that Uncle Rod did not have his back to table 4, and that the Smith side of Barbara's family were sat away from Tom's cousin Alex. However, she hesitated when she reached the "Single's Table". There was one place card she did not want to leave here, especially next to the woman Barbara had written into the next seat on the plan, bit of a predatory type to all intents and purposes, but there was nothing she could do. She had toyed with moving the card to the teenager's table but suspected that wouldn't go down too well either. She put the card down hurriedly and walked away to check on the backroom.

—

She'd made it in time for the dinner, and had spent most of the speeches deliberately not looking at a certain occupant of the top table while she groaned at the best man's terrible jokes and laughed at Barbara's father's very sweet reminiscing of his daughter's younger days. Delia was now about halfway through her third glass of wine, and trying to keep conversation with her neighbour polite while not encouraging what she suspected were attempted romantic advances. If this was another one of Babs's matchmaking attempts they needed to have a serious word.

But now the venue staff were moving the tables out of the way to make space for dancing.

She should really go and find some other members of her department, be sociable, maybe have a bit of dance with some of the children milling around.

Instead, she found herself hovering at the edge of the dance floor, watching Barbara and Tom step out for the first dance as a married couple. The way they swayed to Can You Feel The Love Tonight from The Lion King…it just made Delia sigh. Usually she could ignore it, but she wanted someone to look at her like that. She wasn't getting any younger.

And of course, standing just a few feet behind the two love birds was Patsy Mount. The woman looked absolutely stunning in a cream 50s style dress with red floral print, her long red hair half loose, half pulled into a beehive. They'd only met a handful of times at various get-togethers hosted by Babs, but they got on like a house on fire, and Delia was increasingly sure that maybe, just maybe, Patsy might fancy her too. She should have gotten the redhead's phone number ages ago.

Perhaps Delia was being too blatant in her admiration of the tall nurse, but suddenly their eyes locked across the dance floor. She had no idea what to do! Did she acknowledge the woman? Or run away? And then Patsy sent a beautiful little smile her way, and a shy wave, before Trixie distracted her and she turned away.

Delia's heart was racing a mile a minute, and her brain wasn't far behind. She'd promised herself that she wouldn't seek Patsy out tonight, too worried she'd do something she'd regret under the influence of alcohol and pure lust but…bugger it, you only live once! And this was a wedding for Christ's sake, it was practically tradition! Downing the last of her wine she started to make her way through the crowd to the other side of the dance floor.

—

Good Lord they were so cheesy! She'd desperately tried not to groan at the Winnie The Pooh references in Tom and Barbara's joint speech, but the Disney first dance was just…nope. For a such a staunchly religious couple they were unbearably sugary.

Or maybe she was just envious?

Hardly, she scoffed to herself. She had a reputation to maintain. Patsy Mount did not do romance.

And yet her eyes kept getting drawn to the other side of the dance floor. She'd tried so hard to ignore the little leap in her chest when the brunette had snuck in as the starter was being served. She'd also tried not to let her eyes wander to the Single's table throughout dinner, or to snarl whenever Veronika laid a hand on the petite beauty's arm or sat just a little too close.

But now as her eyes dutifully followed the newly-weds in their first dance she kept getting glimpses of the cute little nurse from the department downstairs. She looked radiant in a deep blue cocktail dress, her hair down and lightly curled with the sides held back with an ornate silver slide. The smile that tugged at Patsy's mouth was completely involuntary, and the wave? Christ she was going soft over a girl! But what a girl! The few times she'd had a chance to chat to Delia Busby she'd felt inexplicably drawn to her, the sparkle in her eyes making her melt and her toes curling at her accent.

An elbow to the ribs broke her from her musings.

"It's enough to put you off relationships for life isn't it."

Patsy chuckled. At least she wasn't alone in her disdain for their friend's saccharine inclinations. "Just be glad they gave up on all of us doing a choreographed number."

Val shivered in disgust on the other side of Trixie, making the pair of bridesmaids laugh, before they all returned their attention to the dance floor.

Disappointment washed over Patsy at the Delia shaped absence on the other side of the room. She really should let this infatuation go. A girl like Delia would never be interested in someone like her.

"They're not going to start singing as well are they?"

She felt goosebumps rise on her skin at the smooth voice beside her. Wild horses couldn't have kept the smile from her face. "Babs can't carry a tune to save her life so I hope not." When she turned to the smaller woman the smile she received just about turned her to mush. "I wasn't sure we were going to see you this evening."

"Couldn't miss this could I." Delia winked and turned back to the dance floor where Tom and Barbara's parents were joining the dance.

Of course she means seeing her uni friend married off, Patsy chastised herself, don't read anything else into it!

Out of the corner of her eye Patsy saw Delia cock her head towards the dance floor.

"Do you, uh, fancy a dance?"

Patsy turned to her wide-eyed. "You want to dance with me?" she asked incredulously.

Delia shrugged. "I don't see any other eligible queer women around here, do you?"

"Uhh…well," Patsy stuttered. "Well there's Supti over there…or Val…or…Veronika."

A small laugh escaped Delia. "Supti is married. And I'm sure you've heard as much goss on Veronika as I have, I am not going there. Val…" She glanced to the third bridesmaid looking genuinely thoughtful. "…Isn't exactly my type. So I guess that just leaves you." She held her hand out palm up.

Wait a minute did that mean…that Patsy was Delia's type? She knew her mouth was hanging open as she just stared at the welshwoman, so forced herself to close it. The cheeky smile on the woman's face was absolutely gorgeous, but there was a hint of nervousness in her eyes.

Screw it, it was just one dance.

She placed her hand in Delia's and tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach as the brunette's smile widened. "Lead on Miss Busby."

Although it wasn't just one dance.

The DJ launched into a set of disco classics and sillies, like Cha Cha Slide and Macarena, songs that would normally have Patsy fleeing the dance floor. Yet she found herself bopping along to the music, and letting Delia teach her the moves. At least it gave her an excuse to watch the woman unashamedly. She did, however, find herself blushing profusely when Delia leant right back against her while they were sat on the floor for Oops Upside Your Head. She already knew Delia was the tactile type, that had become increasingly clear the last two times they'd seen each other. But as the evening progressed the distance between them seemed to shrink; a grasping of hands here, a twirl there, until they were hip to hip, one of Delia's hands in Patsy's, the other resting lightly on her waist. Any doubts Patsy might have had about mutual attraction were evaporating in the face of the shy look in Delia's eyes as she chewed her bottom lip.

"I was disappointed I couldn't stay for more of the hen weekend. It looked like you all had a lot of fun."

"We did," Patsy nodded, thinking back on the weekend. They'd rented a cottage not far from London, and spent two days exploring the woodlands and riding horses, having a pyjama party with a chocolate fountain and karaoke machine, and finished it off with an afternoon at a trampoline park and painting plaster ornaments. It had all been very Barbara. "But you were missed…by all of us."

Delia only chuckled in response, but her hand drifted to the small of Patsy's back, her thumb stroking her spine. It sent tingles raging through her body, and she realised her gaze was flitting between Delia's eyes and her gorgeous red lips.

Oh boy.

The ringing of a fork against a glass made her jump, stepping out of Delia's arms as everyone's attention was drawn to the side of the room.

"Friends and loved ones, it's time to cut the cake!" announced Craig, the best man, to a cacophony of cheers.

"I think I'll go grab a drink," Delia murmured, leaning in to Patsy. "Can I get you one?"

"Umm…sure," Patsy flustered. She shouldn't really drink anymore, she was entering dangerous territory here. But reason wasn't really being paid attention to right now! "I'll have whatever you're having."

Delia turned away with a wink.

Oh Lord this wasn't good. Rubbing at the back of her neck, Patsy released an enormous breath.

"You seem to be having a good night."

Patsy jumped a mile, clutching at her chest. "Jesus Trix don't sneak up on me like that!"

"I did not sneak, it's not my fault your head is in the clouds," Trixie smirked.

Patsy huffed as she folded her arms across her chest. "It is not," she muttered.

"It wasn't a criticism sweetie." The blonde wrapped an arm around Patsy's waist. "I think it's very sweet. Delia is lovely after all. If I batted for your team I'd be fighting you for her."

An incredulous eyebrow raise was all Patsy could manage while her stomach fluttered. Trixie was right, Delia was lovely. But Patsy didn't do this sort of thing.

"Look, I know you feel the need to maintain this ice queen reputation, but would it really hurt to have a little fun?"

Trixie winked and wandered off as everyone applauded. Patsy had missed the cake cutting! Tits!

Oh what was she going to do?

"Here you go."

And like that Delia was stood beside her again, the sweetest smile on her face, holding a glass up for her. Patsy took the proffered drink in a daze, and sipped it. The neat liquor burned her throat, forcing her to examine the glass. A double measure of single malt unless she was very mistaken.

"Why Nurse Busby, are you trying to get me drunk?"

She felt a little guilty when she saw panic rush over Delia's face.

"Oh, no…I'm sorry that wasn't—"

"Delia I'm joking!" Patsy laid a gentle hand on the woman's forearm. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. Thank you for the drink."

Delia giggled in relief, shaking her head at Patsy. "You're welcome." She smiled, and they both turned in time to witness Barbara cramming a large piece of cake into Tom's mouth, icing and cream filling going everywhere. The whole room laughed along with them, and in a moment of boldness, Patsy allowed her hand to settle on the small of Delia's back.

Once everyone had refuelled on cake, the dancing resumed with fervour. Overtired and over-sugared kids threw themselves around the floor, inebriated males challenged each other to dad dancing contests while the women danced around their handbags.

Patsy and Delia held each other loosely, smiling brightly as they swayed and bopped to the music.

It was during Build Me Up Buttercup that Delia tried to twirl Patsy, their height difference making the manoeuvre a little awkward, but as they giggled they simply found themselves pressed together. The tension sizzled between them as they realised just how close they were, their breath growing heavy as the meagre distance shrank incrementally. Patsy could feel the brunette's breath on her lips. All it would take was for one of them to lean in. She smiled when she felt Delia rise slightly on her toes, and then…

"Patsy! Delia!" Barbara stumbled into the pair, wrapping an arm around each woman as they startled apart. "Are you having a lovely time? I'm having a lovely time. I got married! Look!" She presented her right hand to them both, looked confused at the lack of rings but then swapped hands with a giggle.

Patsy gritted her teeth, silently seething at the interruption.

"Yes Babs, that is why we're all here," Delia cajoled the tipsy bride.

Barbara continued to giggle. "I'm Mrs Hereward now! I'm a curate's wife! Can you believe it? Oh, Delia how did it go with Veronika? I think you two would go lovely together!"

Delia laughed awkwardly, glancing at Patsy while the redhead could only stare incredulously at their mutual friend. They were saved from having to formulate a reply by the arrival of Trixie.

"There you are Barbara, come on now," the blonde cooed, untangling her friend from the exasperated lesbians. "It's almost time to toss your bouquet sweetie."

"Oh, yes!" Barbara exclaimed, bouncing up and down before turning back to Patsy and Delia. "I expect you both to take part," she waved an unsteady finger between the two. "Veronika will be there!" She grinned lasciviously, nudging Delia.

"Don't worry Mrs Hereward, they'll be there." Trixie lead Barbara away, mouthing "Sorry!" back to Patsy over her shoulder as they disappeared into the crowd.

Patsy sighed and crossed her arms, not quite able to look at Delia.

However, the younger woman stepped into her and stroked her hands carefully up the backs of her arms. "You all right there Patsy?"

"Yes," she grumbled, chewing her lip. "Has she always been that oblivious?"

"Oh absolutely," Delia chuckled. "I had to tell her I was gay after we'd been living together for 7 months. Apparently, the girls I was bringing home twice a week weren't a big enough clue."

"Twice a week?!" Patsy's incredulous stare was now bestowed upon Delia.

"Don't you judge me Patsy Mount." Delia wagged a finger at her, but she was failing to hold back a smile. "I lived a very sheltered existence back in Wales, I was making up for lost time."

Patsy held her hands up and flashed the brunette her best fish hook smile. "No judgement here Deels. Just impressed. I expect that means you're…well practiced." She flicked an eyebrow for emphasis and was delighted to see Delia's colour rise.

The welshwoman took a deep breath before looking Patsy right in the eye. "I was a very diligent student." Her gaze drifted all the way down Patsy's body and back up again.

The redhead swallowed hard at the predatory smile on the woman's face, heat suffusing her body. This was getting very dangerous.

"Come on let's get a drink," Delia giggled into the tongue-tied silence. "I have little interest in catching the bouquet, even less so if Veronika is trying for it." She held her hand out to Patsy, and after just a moments stunned hesitation, the taller woman took it and allowed herself to be lead off the dance floor.