A/N: As requested, Fenny and Grissy's hen night. Disclaimer, this is just a bit of fun and everyone drinking is above the ages of 18. (Fenny & Grissy 22/23, Maud etc 21/22) Drink responsibly people!
"So, are you ready?" Imogen already knew the answer.
Constance sat back in the seat and sighed. "I could not be less ready. Do we really have to go? We could make up an excuse, I'm sure they won't miss us. We can say…" She was interrupted by an excited voice from the back.
"No way! You're going. The restaurant said it was fine for me and Lily to be there as long as my parents were, and I'm not missing out on this. Besides, Fen and Gris really want you there." Abby was hugely excited for the hen night and wasn't letting her Mama's reluctance stop her fun.
While she could understand Constance's feelings, Amelia, who was sat in the back with the teenagers, knew that the invitations had been genuine. Besides, she reasoned, both Fenella and Griselda's mothers were going to be there so it couldn't get too wild. "Come on, let us go in. If nothing else we'll have a lovely meal and then we can go home while the youngsters really go out on the town."
"Just three more years and we'll be able to go with them.", Abby piped up as she exited the car and checked her hair in the side mirror. She laughed as she caught her Mum's eye. "What?"
"Can't you stay at this age?" Imogen mock pouted. "Even go backwards a little bit? Twelve was a good age for you, let's go back to that."
She was joking, of course. It was sometimes difficult to see the girls getting older, but there was a certain excitement as well. Abby had always been an amazing kid but now she was evolving into an incredible, smart, funny and unique young woman. They'd already had so much fun getting ready together that night and like her daughter, she was looking forward to what lay ahead. It was a great group getting together to celebrate the soon to be married couple and judging by the group messages that had been going over the past couple of days, they were in for a great night.
"Well, I suppose if you're with me it can't be too bad." Constance took a deep breath and wrapped her arm around Abby's shoulders. "Let's go,"
On entering the restaurant and giving the name, they were immediately shown to a private room that had been booked for the night.
"This is really nice.", Lily whispered to Abby. Like Constance, she was a little nervous but she was also thrilled to have been included in this special occasion. And as they entered the room and found everyone else sitting there her nerves faded even more.
"I knew we'd beat you here." Davina was very much enjoying her first drink of the night and loving the fact that she and Elizabeth had arrived before the ever-punctual Drill family.
"Were the children okay?" Elizabeth was more considerate than her wife.
"Ava and Zara, yes. They're perfectly happy having a night with the boys. Fleur, on the other hand, decided she wanted to come too, Dad put her down and she was crawling after us in seconds."
"She's crawling?", Jadu gushed.
"Oh yes.", Constance smiled. "For the last month or so. Luckily her uncle was able to distract her so we could escape. I'm sure she's having the time of her life now." She took her assigned seat with Imogen on one side and Amelia on the other, taking note of the bottles of wine and cocktails that were adorning the table. "I see you've been busy without us."
Fenella's mother, Cathy, laughed before holding up two bottles. "Guilty as charged. Red or white?"
Constance and Amelia each opted for a glass of white while Imogen shook her head. "Soft drinks for me tonight, I'm still breastfeeding.", she explained
"What will we have?" Abby was pouring over the list. "Elizabeth, what do you have?"
"A virgin mojito. It's very nice, refreshing."
It sounded good to Abby who opted for the same while Lily and Imogen went for the non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiris on Sarah's recommendation.
"Cheers." The group clinked glasses before settling down to chat some more.
Looks like we're not the last people here." Imogen observed. "Where's Millie?"
Maud rolled her eyes. "She's running late, as usual. "She said to order for her, she'll be here soon."
Sure enough, the starters were just coming out when Mildred burst into the room. Her hair may have been shorter, her face made up and her clothes more flattering than her old school uniform but there were still traces of the same Mildred Hubble who had started at Cackle's almost ten years before.
"Hello. Sorry I'm late, my broomstick fell apart just as I was leaving."
"Fell apart?", Abby narrowed her eyes. "Can they just do that?"
Constance, who proudly possessed the same broomstick she had since her own school days, answered. "Anything can fall apart if it's damaged enough."
"Well…." Mildred blushed, this was reminding her of being back in potions class. "I may have left it out in the rain a couple of times. And then there was the time I crashed it into the bins at the back of my house. Anyway, luckily I have a backup. Though that's a bit wonky too."
"Doesn't matter." Fenny and Grissy got up to give their friend a hug. "We haven't seen you for ages and you're here now. So sit down, have a drink and prepare for some fun."
Over the first course, the chatter continued. Jadu had recently moved to Belgium where she was continuing her Political Science studies. Meanwhile, Ruby had finished her combined Magical and Technology degree and was taking some time out to travel before looking for a job.
"I've had some new toy ideas. Once I get some prototypes done I'll send them to the girls."
Constance had a vivid memory of one of Ruby's early toy experiments. "As long as you've thoroughly tested them. We have quite enough to deal with without demonic robot dogs trying to take over our home."
Ruby laughed along with everyone else as the conversation continued. She and Jadu coo'd over the latest pictures of Fleur that Imogen showed them. They hadn't met the youngest Drill girl yet and promised to call and see her and her sisters before they went away again. Meanwhile, the bridesmaids were getting ready for the night's first game.
"Okay, it wasn't when I first met you both but it's definitely my first vivid memory of you. You looked like two swamp creatures."
The entire table was laughing loudly at Imogen's anecdote of one of her first P.E classes at Cackle's. Each person attending had jotted down an early memory of the brides to be and the point was to guess who had written it. This one had been simple and as they wiped away their tears of mirth they took up the tale.
"I just remember being so worried we were going to get detention off a certain deputy head.", Grissy confessed.
"And if we were, we were taking you down with us." Fenny winked at Imogen. "Though we didn't realise at the time how much you'd probably like that."
'"Hmmm, I would have enjoyed the view alright." Imogen reached for Constance's hand, knowing her wife was just tipsy enough not to be self-conscious. "But luckily for all of us, we got away with it. And a year later I got my gorgeous girl."
"Hardly a girl.", Constance retorted, though her smirk showed how happy she was with the compliment. "I was certainly mature enough to know that muddy puddles equate muddy teenagers."
She had of course forgotten something, which Sarah was very happy to remind her of.
"Not kids though. We did let Ava, Zara, Fionn, and Cillian get into a bit of a state at the park last week. They had twigs in their hair, leaves down their clothes. It was hilarious."
"They were having fun.", Constance huffed, taking a swig of her wine as everyone giggled again.
Sarah grinned at her friend. "They were, and let's be honest, so did we."
"We did." Constance returned the smile as she recalled their afternoon together, though privately she thought the coffee and cake after had been the best part.
Speaking of fun, there was still more to be had around the table and as more drinks arrived, Gabrielle explained the next part.
"Okay, so earlier we asked Fen and Gris to each answer a series of questions about themselves. Now they're going to be tested on how well they know each other. For each question they get right they get a point. The objective is to get as many points as possible."
"What do we win?" Fenny asked.
"Put it this way.", Abby told her. "You'd rather win than lose, the loser gets a forfeit and you won't like it. Ready?"
Soon the quiz and associated debate were well and truly underway.
"When did I ever say that Tots TV was my favourite show? You know it was Sabrina."
"Hah.", Grissy scoffed at her fiancé. "You fancied Sabrina, that's different. You loved Tots TV. Back me up please, Emma?"
Fenny's mother chuckled into her glass. "I'd have answered the same love. You still were watching Tots TV right up until you left for school, despite the fact you'd seen them a thousand times."
"It was educational.", Fenny muttered, staring daggers at her traitorous mother and again at their bridesmaids who judged that Grissy deserved a point before moving onto the next question.
"Do I need to cover some ears?" It was all great fun but Imogen was slightly wary when it came to the favourite body part question.
"Mum!", Abby cringed.
"Maybe ours." Cathy indicated herself and Emma.
"Mine is clean.", Grissy promised. "I think Fen would say I love her smile the most."
"Well, that's what you tell me." , Fenny beamed over the table. "And I think you would say I love your hair. And I do but I love your eyes as well."
"And they would be correct answers.", Maud told them. "So, if we total up the scores it seems we have a tie."
"So no forfeit?", Grissy breathed a sigh of relief.
"No.", Abby smirked dangerously. "Two forfeits, one each."
Both girls made similar faces as their forfeit props were handed to them.
"We said no tacky veils.", Fenny whinged.
"Excuse you." Maud couldn't stop laughing. "It took us hours to craft together these quality veils."
"We used the best toilet paper we could find." Abby was practically on the floor as Gabrielle ensured they were both in place. "And you have to wear them for the rest of the night. No cheating!"
Eventually, the laughter died down enough for the final activity of this stage to get underway.
"So we have to guess who is giving us the advice?" The best part of a bottle of wine combined with several cocktails meant Grissy was a little less sharp than usual. On getting a nod from the bridal party she poured over the first one with Fenny.
"'Never go to bed angry, stay awake and plot out a better argument.' That has to be from Davina."
She was of course correct.
"I always win any arguments I have with Lizzy.", Davina smirked while her wife looked at her incredulously.
"In your head you do."
The next piece of advice was more sensible in nature.
"I'm going to guess Amelia for this. 'Surround yourself with people who strengthen your marriage.' At the older woman's nod, Fenny leaned over and gave her a hug. "Lucky for us we're off to a good start on that one."
There was more sage advice. Griselda's mother reminded them not to keep secrets from each other, while Fenny's reminded them to be patient and to keep encouraging one another.
"Oooh, well I would have said Imogen for this one but we've had yours, I loved that. 'Never stop dating your wife.'"
Both brides-to-be were stumped. 'Have fun. Laugh together every day and remember, you can be your silliest with each other.'
"We're really stuck here. Whose is it?"
"Me.", Abby blushed. "I thought about my parents and grandparents and what makes them such great couples and that's what I came up with."
"It's amazing advice Abs. And we promise, in sixty years time we're still going to be laughing together."
"Cool." Abby gave them each a hug. "I'll be watching."
The drink, jokes, and chats continued to flow for another hour before Amelia gave Constance a nudge. "It's getting late. I'm going to telephone Tom and ask him to pick me and the girls up."
"I should go as well." Sarah glanced at her watch. "I know Jamie is fine with the boys but I need to get some sleep before they start shouting for us at stupid o'clock."
"I know that feeling. Anyway, no need to call Dad, I can drive us all back." Deep down Imogen was disappointed to be leaving. She hadn't been out like this for so long and it seemed that with talks of going to a bar, the night was just beginning.
"Oh. Don't go." Grissy pleaded before looking guiltily at Abby. The bar they were heading to was strictly over-18's, not that Constance would have dreamed of letting her daughter set foot in one regardless
"It's okay, we've already been out two hours later than we thought we'd get away with. Lil and I are going to put our pyjamas on and watch a film before we fall asleep. Besides…." She whispered to Maud and Gaby. "We have next weekend to look forward to. Anyway, Mum, you and Mama stay out. Granddad said he'll collect us."
"We've had a great time. Thanks." Lily smiled shyly at Fenny and Grissy. "And thank you for the wedding invitation. I'm really excited."
"We're excited that you'll be there with us." Fenny and Grissy had contacted Lily's mother who said that while she would be working as she was off over Christmas, she was happy for her daughter to attend with the Drills.
"Then it will be our turn to dance up a storm." Abby loved her older friends but how they included Lily in everything made her love them even more.
Constance was all set to insist that they too would go home when she saw the look on Imogen's face. Late bars certainly weren't her thing, but she could never resist that hopeful gaze. And she had consumed just enough wine to say, "Will we stay out?"
"Yes please." Imogen's face lit up. "Just for a little while. I haven't been dancing for so long and it will be even better if you're dancing with me."
The idea of someone else attempting to dance with her wife was enough to make Constance's mind up. "We won't be too late.", she told Amelia.
"Constance my dear, it's already late. Have fun, we'll take care of the girls tonight and tomorrow morning."
Elizabeth and Davina, who were staying with Constance and Imogen, decided to go back as well. Davina for all her bluster wasn't much of a bar person and Elizabeth wasn't great in crowds of people. Emma and Cathy also decided not to cramp their daughters' style too much.
"We'll be fine. We're going to stay here and finish that wine and then we'll get a taxi to the hotel." Though they had been offered several places to stay that night, both mothers of the bride had insisted on staying in a hotel. They had become firm friends over the years and were using the hen night as an excuse for a weekend away, including a mother/daughter spa session that their children had no idea was happening the following day.
"Enjoy yourselves and thank you, everyone, for a lovely evening. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much.", Emma told them all. "We'll see you all at the wedding and you two, remember you're meeting us at the hotel at 11 for brunch. Don't sleep in."
"Yes, Mum.", Fenny promised
The group left the restaurant with those who were leaving climbing into Tom's car while the others prepared to walk the short distance to the popular gay bar that had been decided on.
"Don't get separated.", Tom instructed them. "And Pumpkin, keep your wits about you."
"Jesus Dad.", Imogen muttered. "I'm a forty-year-old married mother of four. I'll be fine."
"That may be true but I still worry about you." He winked at his daughter before gesturing behind her. "And I think if someone is going to stay out she might benefit from a few glasses of water. See you later."
Imogen turned to see Mildred, who had seemed fine in the restaurant but as the cold night air had hit so had the alcohol. "Millie, are you okay?"
"I'm fine Miss Drill, I mean Imogen, I mean…." Mildred started giggling to herself. "I just need to dance. Come on, let's go dancing."
It was too cold to stand around for long so with Maud firmly linking her best friend, they made their way to the next venue. As expected on a Saturday night there was a queue but the party group had an advantage.
"Imogen. Long time no see."
To everyone's surprise, especially Constance's, Imogen was wrapped in a hug by the tall, muscular bouncer who made his way down from the door he was guarding
"Tony. How're things? Wow, yes it's been years. Are you still weightlifting?"
"Sure am. I'm off to the European Championships next month. How about you? Where have you been hiding"
Imogen grinned before reaching for her wife's hand. "I got married. This is Constance and between work and four daughters at home, my bar hopping days are usually a thing of the past."
Tony smiled at Constance, the twinkle in his eyes making him suddenly look a lot less intimidating. "You've got a good one here", he told her. "And four kids? No wonder you're not out so much. What's the occasion tonight?"
"Who cares?", someone shouted from behind them, earning them similar terrifying glares from both Tony and Constance.
Indicating the two toilet paper clad girls, Imogen explained. "Hen night. These two are tying the knot next month so we're celebrating."
Fenella and Griselda waved sheepishly.
"Ah, well in that case, in you come." Tony indicated to the young man on the desk. "V.I.P., no charge." He gave Imogen another hug. "I'd better get back. It was great to see you."
"You too Tony, thanks so much and good luck with the competition." Imogen gave him a wave before leading the way to the V.I.P area.
Maud, who was still linking Mildred was bemused by the whole situation. "That guy's always been so scary and tonight he was like your best friend."
"Not exactly best friends.", Imogen shrugged. "I used to come here a fair bit and for a while, we were training in the same gym so we got to know each other. I wouldn't get on the wrong side of him but he's always been very kind to me. Case in point, free entrance."
"You seem to know your way around pretty well." , Constance muttered. Maybe this hadn't been such a great idea.
"Like I said, not my first time here.", Imogen smirked before pressing a kiss to Constance's pouting lips. "Back when I was single though, which is thankfully no longer the case. Anyway, let's get a table then we can start the party again."
Apparently, Tony's free passes also included two bottles of Prosecco which Gaby and Maud eagerly popped open.
"You got us in Im, are you sure you won't have some."
"No thanks." Imogen shook her head, she had no intention of missing Fleur's morning feed, especially after an evening away from her. "Water's fine for me. Millie, will you have some water?"
"I'm fine after the walk." Mildred gestured with her full glass, managing to spill half of it in the process. "Totally fine."
Neither Imogen nor Constance agreed but they were also conscious that they were no longer in charge of Mildred. She was an adult, capable of making her own decisions. And mistakes
"I have some anti-hangover potion in my bag.", Constance whispered. "I think a couple of people might need it later." She was still feeling slightly merry but was sipping her drink slowly, unlike the younger girls who were already on the second bottle.
"Time for dancing.", Ruby declared before making her way to the dance floor.
On seeing that Imogen hadn't followed the others, Constance asked, "I thought you wanted to dance?"
"I'd rather stay with you."
That may have been true but Constance had a better idea in mind. Reassured by the fact that she certainly wasn't the oldest person in the bar, combined with being just tipsy enough not to care, led to her being the one to pull her wife onto the dance floor.
"Do you know this one?", Maud shouted over the loud music, seeing the couple moving easily to the beat of a current chart-topper.
"We do have a fifteen-year-old daughter at home.", Constance retorted. "And while it may not be my favourite song, it is catchy."
Several other "catchy songs" later the music slowed down to allow for more potentially intimate dancing.
"I think some things are better left for home aren't they?", Imogen winked.
It seemed Constance was, as people said, onto a promise, meaning the idea of getting home, perhaps even having Imogen dance for her, was suddenly very appealing. Unfortunately, politeness got in the way of that plan when they saw that Gaby had gotten another round in.
"One more then we're off.", Imogen told them before taking a sip of her soda water. "Where's Millie?"
"Gone to the loo. She'll be back in a minute."
Fifteen minutes later their drinks were almost gone and they were still a woman down
"She's not in there." Imogen had checked when she visited the bathroom. "Are you sure she went to the ones on this floor?"
Maud had assumed so but apparently, she was wrong. "Maybe she went upstairs?"
"She'll be here somewhere.", Jadu reasoned. "I have her bag and coat. Let's spread out and find her. I'll bet she's asleep in the corner somewhere, that's what usually happens to Millie after a few drinks."
It wasn't exactly in a corner but, sure enough, Mildred was fast asleep and clutching a bottle of water in a chair outside the downstairs toilets where Constance and Imogen had gone to look for her.
"Millie", Imogen gently shook her shoulder. "Wake up."
"Huh." Mildred jerked awake, immediately seeing Constance crouching in front of her. "I was in bed Miss Hardbroom, I swear. I don't know how I got here."
"Shhhh." Constance could see Imogen trying not to break into fits of laughter. "You're not in school Mildred. You're out with your friends but it's probably time for you to go home to bed now."
Mildred nodded, bed sounded so good right now. She rose to her feet with just a little help and was ready to go, except for one thing.
"Oh dear." Imogen grimaced as the younger woman bolted towards the nearest cubicle. "Millie, you okay?"
"The water made me sick."
"Ah yes, the water." Constance rolled her eyes. "Not the wine and cocktails before."
"Shhhh." Imogen elbowed her wife. "We can't say we've never been in this situation."
While that was true to an extent, Constance could honestly say she had never in this exact position, throwing up in a nightclub bathroom. Still, she decided not to push the point and instead, offered some more practical help as Mildred emerged from the cubicle.
"Thanks." Millie sighed with relief as she downed the vial of anti-hangover potion. "I feel better already."
"Good." Imogen handed her some damp cloths to clean up with. "Come on, Fenny just text, they're waiting outside, Gaby and Maud have gone ahead in a taxi so I'll give the rest of you a lift."
It was slightly after 2 AM when a refreshed and sober Mildred was being dropped off at Stephen and Gaby's house with her still giddy friends.
"Are you sure you won't come in?" Grissy pleaded. "We have wine."
"And we have kids to look after tomorrow." Imogen laughed. "You enjoy yourselves though and Fenny, Grissy, don't forget you have plans tomorrow."
"You may need these." Constance passed over six more vials, ensuring she had kept one back for herself of course.
"Thanks.", the group waved as Imogen pulled away. Though she had shared her potion recipe with her fellow witches, once they reached eighteen, of course, they all agreed that nobody made a better magical cure than Constance.
"So, you've been subjected to the full hen party experience. Games, dares, food, laughs, drinks, dancing and of course, the inevitable someone going missing and someone getting sick. In this case the same person. Did you enjoy yourself?"
Constance thought for a moment. "Actually, I did, more than I expected to, though parts I would have gladly skipped. However, my full opinion will be formed by how you answer my question to you."
"Go on."
"Did you mean what you said, that we were just going home because of the children?"
"That depends.", Imogen smirked. "Are you going to let me take advantage of your still ever so slightly squiffy state when we get home."
"Why do you think I haven't taken this potion yet?"
"In that case, I have some plans for us, including some moves I couldn't really show off at the bar. So, are you ready?"
Constance sat back in her seat and sighed. "I could not be more ready."
A/N 2: Sticking to the pre-wedding theme, there will be another chapter before the end of the month involving a few more members of the wedding party and a link to the past. Stay tuned ;)