This chapter is the start of an interesting weekend. Enjoy.

Julie's sigh caused Tim to tighten his arm around her. She was resting with her head against him, but she wasn't relaxed. Normally the rhythm of the train lulled her, but not this day.

Her life was a bit more settled or would be in few days. She had met Dr. and Mrs. Jeffers and they had agreed to hire her. In fact she had just received the glad tidings of a healthy baby boy called Oliver. Mrs. Turner had agreed to let her stay until she was needed in the Jeffers' home. She had her flat for another week which coincided with Tim's return to Oxford after his short holiday.

They were traveling to Kate and Arthur's wedding. It had been over a year since Tim had met her family, but that was not what was wreaking havoc with her nerves. Kate who had been a frequent visitor to Poplar in the past two and a half years had invited the entire Turner family to the wedding. They were thrilled to have a little weekend holiday, but Julie was dreading introducing them to her parents.

Tim was sympathetic to her concerns, but wasn't nearly as bothered. He kept telling her that his parents were used to all kinds and had been fully warned. She was assured by both Doctor and Missus that they wouldn't inquire about her mother's health.

She and Tim were traveling ahead, because she had duties as maid of honor.

Julie winced when she thought of her father meeting Dr. Turner. She mentally made a list of all the reason her father wouldn't like him.

Oh Lord, if we can't get through Kate's wedding how will we survive our own?

"I wish I were staying at Albert's," she said with a jealous tone.

"I know, but you'll see your Mum. It will please her," Tim reminded her.

"Tell me again who your mum wants to go see…"

"Sister Julienne. She's retired and lives in Chichester. She's mum's friend, well the family's friend. Mum is right, she'll want to meet you."

"Was she a midwife too?"

"Yes, she delivered Teddy. Since she retired, we just don't see her often enough. You'll like her. That's the one part of this weekend you need not worry about."

Tim came with her to see her mum, but they left before her father and the boys arrived home. Kate's Mum was feeding the wedding party. Given her condition Kate felt it was best not to have a hen do. She and Julie were going to spend their last evening together putting varnish on the fingers and toes.

The boys were going to the pub for Arthur's stag do. Arthur was staying at the public house with his best man, Philip, his best mate from growing up.

Julie walked Tim outside and flung her arms around him and kissed him. He deepened the kiss and eventually said, "I'm just going to the pub."

"I know, but my Dad and brothers might be there."

"Alfred will be. We invited him," Tim teased.

"He's not the one I'm worried about."

####

"Jules, your dad may not even recognize me," Tim said.

Tim wanted Julie to have a nice evening, but the best he could do was kiss her and remind her that he loved her. Truthfully, he'd rather spend the night with her.

He turned back and called, "If you miss me you know where I'll be."

It was a bit strange being in Julie's village pub without her. He had met the publican before, but wasn't certain he'd remember him. They took a seat at a table in the corner. Pints and laughter flowed. Tim's smile faded when Mr. Miller and Junior entered.

He watched as the older man scanned the room. His eyes stopped at their table and bored into Tim. His stomach clenched as he nodded to the man who would one day be his father-in-law. Albert entered with George and walked over to Tim.

"So who's the lucky one that hooked Katie-girl?" Albert asked.

Arthur started stand, but Tim grabbed his arm and said, "Relax. He's one of Julie's brothers. Albert meet Arthur. He's tipped back a few. Pull up a chair then."

"No harm mate, I've got my own wife, but Kate's like a sister to me," Albert said to Arthur.

Tim said, "Your father is looking at us. I don't think he wants you sitting with me."

"Ignore him. He's a miserable man and thinks we should be too."

Julie's mother was certainly miserable. When he saw her today, he resisted the urge to drag her to the GP surgery in town. He promised Jules, so he ignored all the alarms going off in his head.

As if Tim needed more enemies in the room, Jim Albert arrived, calling out, "Hey Arthur, old boy, you ready for the plunge."

Albert said under his breath, "I heard he's taken the plunge already."

Tim laughed spitting out his beer.

"Turner control yourself. You're in the country not your slum."

"Who is this arse?" Albert asked.

"A sore loser because he wanted Julie and…"

"Introduce him to the lot at the bar." Albert looked toward his father and two old brothers. "He'd change his mind. I figure you must love my sister if the likes of them haven't scared you off."

Jim came back from the bar bragging about his Glenlivet. When he sat he began introducing himself as Arthur's best mate from Oxford.

Philip spoke up and said, "I'm the best man and have been his best mate for over twenty years."

Then Jim looked to Albert, who said, "I just met him, but I've known Katie-girl. I heard you fancy my sister."

Tim felt the heat creep up his neck into his cheeks. Jim was looking at him and said, "I've got myself a beautiful girl now. Julie chose Turner here. You're stuck with the likes of him for your family."

Albert laughed, "You don't know my family."

Luckily Jim turned his attention to competing with Philip over Arthur's friendship. Tim thought it was foolish and started thinking about his own bestman. He of course was his father's when he was a lad. There was really no dilemma, he knew who he'd wanted. He'd be older than Tim was too.

Tim was snapped out of his thoughts when a loud voice said, "Albert, you done with the boffin?"

Mr. Miller was eyeing Tim again. Just as Tim thought he was going to speak to him, he saw Julie and Kate enter the pub. They walked right over to their table.

Kate called out, "Which ones are pissed?"

Philip called back, "Arthur."

"I'll take care of him," Kate said to a chorus of comments and laughter.

Tim thought that's what got you to two nights before your wedding. Julie whispered in his ear, "Will you walk me home?"

He jumped up and Jules said to Albert, "He won't be too long."

Albert said, "Don't end up like Kate."

Julie punched Albert's shoulder as she turned away from him. Tim was chuckling, but stopped abruptly when her father suddenly stood in front of them.

"Brainbox will you let your wife hit you like that. Not that you'll ever marry my girl," Henry White said a bit loud.

"Dad!" Julie said shocked.

"He ain't ever gonna marry you," he repeated.

"Sir, you gave your blessing and I will marry her," Tim said confidently.

"Goodnight Dad. I'm going home," Julie said and they walked around him.

Once outside, Julie complained, "He wanted to embarrass you in front of his drinking mates. Why does he believe we're not going to be married?"

She was angry and Tim calmed her the way he knew best with his embrace.

"Shush. Only we know how much we belong together. I don't give a bugger what anyone else thinks. Come on then let's get you home."

After properly saying goodnight in the shadows of the garden, Tim went back to the pub.

Albert was with his brothers. Except for Arthur, his mates were still drinking. When he sat down, Jim said, "That burly drunk doesn't like you, Turner."

"That man is my future father-in-law. He and I will never be chums."

Jim just shook his head and laughed.

Tim woke on Albert's sofa. He could tell it was early. His family would be arriving that morning for a trip to Chichester. He tried shutting his eyes again, because it was late when he and Albert left the pub.

He heard Linda through the door.

"Wake up. You'll be late for work. You come home pallatic and now you'll pay the price."

Tim winced as Albert stumbled out of his bedroom. "Good time last night. Aye? I liked that bloke Kate's marrying, but he sure was pissed."

Tim thought, they all were.