Julie's closed her jaw quickly and forced a smile. Inside she was filled with disbelief and panic. In front of her, was her friend who had been miserable for almost a fortnight, looking radiantly happy.

Julie and Tim returned to flat to hear the exciting news that Arthur and Kate were getting married or more precisely that they had to get married.

Julie glanced at Tim, who was as shocked as her. He returned her glance whilst squeezing her hand.

Tim managed to break the tension, when he said, "Hey mate were you ill when we studied family planning. It's ninety-seventy-five the pill is more popular with young women than Sean Bleeding Connery."

Arthur hung his head, but recovered and said, "Why put off the inevitable? My father has promised to help us out for the next two years."

Kate looked pleadingly at Julie, as if begging her to be happy. Julie conjured up a thin smile, but in truth she had too many concerns about how this situation affected her. She couldn't afford to live on her own in London. Her chest constricted and she fought the tears. Swirling around her head was the probability of being farther away from Tim and crawling back home a failure.

"You'll be my maid of honor, of course. Did we say we're thinking very soon?" Kate said with much excitement.

A piece of Julie felt betrayed that Kate chose to face her pregnancy alone. She was hurt and scared and Tim's arm tightening around her waist showed her that he understood.

Kate finally said directly, "Jules tell me you don't think horrible things about me because I'm not perfect like you. Tell me you're happy for me."

"Oh Kate, of course, I still love you. I'm just sad that I'll be losing my roommate."

She stopped short of adding what that would mean for her.

##

Tim understood, Jules was upset. His mind was racing on ways to keep Jules in London.

Needing to be alone with Jules, he said, "We should let you two sort things out."

When Jules looked at him wide eyed, he said, "Come home with me."

Neither spoke until they were outside. Julie cried, "What am I going to do?"

"We'll sort something out. You can… you can live at my house if you have to."

"Your Mum wouldn't want me…"

"She would. She loves you."

"You can't tell your parents about Kate!"

"Why not?" Tim was confused.

"What will they think of her?"

"Jules, my parents have cared for more unmarried mothers. They would never judge. That isn't who they are. Believe me," he implored remembering the most notable one had lived with them.

The minute Mum saw them she brushed by Tim with a cursory greeting and went straight to Julie. "What's wrong?"

Tim watched as Julie finally sobbed. Mum looked at him accusingly, but he shook his head in defense of himself.

"I'll put a kettle on," he announced and headed for the kitchen leaving his mum to comfort Julie.

Patrick followed behind and whispered, "What'd you do this time?"

"This isn't my doing, not this time," he said in his own defense. "Dad can you?" He waved his hand from the kettle to the teapot.

"Yes, I was about to fix tea before you came in."

Tim sat next to Julie whose sad face broke his heart. If he could marry her now, he would, but that wasn't what had her so upset. She wasn't jealous of Kate, at least Tim didn't think so.

She moved from Shelagh's embrace to his. Feeling the need to explain, he said, "She just found out she'll soon be without a roommate."

"Kate? Why?" Shelagh asked concerned.

Tim looked at Julie who nodded. He also saw his father listening as well.

"She and Arthur are getting married." Looking at Julie again for permission, he said, "There is an urgency."

"Oh. That is a lot of news to receive at one time," Shelagh said.

When she finally spoke, she said, "We came to London together and now I'll not have my friend here and Tim is always gone…"

"Perhaps you could find a new flatmate," Patrick added to the discussion.

"It will work out. Everything always does," Shelagh added.

"I won't go home. I just can't," Julie said desperately.

"We wouldn't let that happen," Tim said calmly. His eyes were pleading with his parents.

"Of course not dear. It wouldn't do you and Timothy any good to be so far apart," Shelagh assured her.

Tim felt her body relax. This was not the evening that he envisioned after so much time apart. He wouldn't want to be in Arthur's shoes, but not being apart sounded brilliant.

The tea was poured and Julie broke the silence. "I really should be excited. A baby is really a wonderful thing."

"Of course, but some babies come when they shouldn't have," Patrick said looking directly at Tim.

He felt the need to defend his and Julie's virtue. His father could be very accepting, but he had standards for his own children.

"Dad, we aren't Kate and Arthur…"

"Well I'm sure she'll visit a midwife, but be sure she knows that I'm happy to answer any questions," Shelagh said. Clearly trying to take the tension out of the air.

Shelagh took Julie upstairs to settle her in Angela's room. Tim was left with his father carrying the teacups into the kitchen.

"We'll be doing the washing up so Mum won't wake to a mess," Patrick said.

Tim prepared himself for one of his father's talk. Breaking the tension, he asked, "Do we need some pale ale?"

"Tim. I believe you were looking to be treated as an adult. Well now you are and you need to remember that you have certain responsibilities. Right now, your priority is finishing the next two years. You may be engaged, but you are not yet married and are in no position to be. Mum will make sure that Julie is not put out on the street. Keep in mind, if you find yourself in the same predicament as your friends, you won't be setting up house in Oxford. Your wife would be living here whilst you finish."

"Dad, we haven't… I wouldn't. Your concern is unnecessary. We're done here. Goodnight."

"Goodnight. Stay in your room."

Tim treated his father to his classic eye roll. He wanted his father to know that he was overreacting. When he reached the top of the stairs Julie was coming out of the loo. She looked at him.

Tim asked, "Am I allowed to say goodnight to her."

Patrick nodded and went into his own room, but didn't shut the door. Tim shook his head and turned to Julie.

He whispered, "He gave me a lecture."

Julie giggled and asked, "Do you think he'll shut his door?"

"I don't know. Come here."

She walked into his arms and he held her. He kissed her, but not as long or as deep as he wished.

She whispered, "Angela is still awake reading. She's going to want to talk all night."

"Just pretend to fall asleep. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight."

He watched as she went into Angela's room and shut the door. When he drifted off he was thinking of Jules so nearby.