Evening all,

Sorry for the delay in this update, but here we are – at last – updated (although it's a tiny short one so sorry about that!)
This chapter's fairly low on major developments, but I wanted to tidy up one or two loose ends before the proper wedding prep starts in the next chapter.

Thanks for all the fab reviews, every one of them makes me very happy so thanks, and if you want to continue, please do!

This chapters songs are:

Billy Idol – White Wedding
The Beatles - Keep your hands off my baby

Hey little sister what have you done? Hey little sister who's the only one? Hey little sister who's your superman? Hey little sister who's the one you want? Hey little sister shot gun! It's a nice day to start again. It's a nice day for a white wedding. It's a nice day to start again. Hey little sister who is it you're with? Hey little sister what's your vice and wish? Hey little sister shot gun …

Coming to a sweaty and panting stop Shelagh rested her palms against her running trousers, lifting her body upright she filled her lungs up and exhaled deeply raising her head to look up towards the sky. After a second she started off again, letting her Ipod play out the song.

… It's a nice day for a white wedding, it's a nice day to start again. There is nothin' fair in this world, there is nothin' safe in this world and there's nothin' sure in this world and there's nothin' pure in this world. Look for something left in this world, start again.

Approaching the end of the park, she slowed down as she walked over towards her bike, lifting up her top she reached into her belt and picked out her lock keys and phone to switch off her running tracker. There was one missed call and two texts, the screen read:

One missed call
Patrick T
09:33

scrolling down she read the texts.

*Guess you're still out? T's out with his mates, fancy a coffee? P x*

*We need to do wedding shopping! Are you buying the dress in London or Aberdeen – you'll pick something boring, so I am taking charge and making sure you look stunning, text me – Molls xxx*

With a smile Shelgah checked her watch, 9:48, rattling off a quick text to Patrick, offering to meet him in a café around two miles away, she started to ring Molly.

"Morning Shelagh."

"Hi Molls, for the record – I would not pick something ugly or boring!"

"Och you would, you'd wear something off the rails at TK Max if I gave you the chance."

"Perhaps, but you know me, I don't like being all … gitzy and showy!"

"I didn't say that it had to be all sequins and 20ft trains did I? I just think that as your sister it's my duty to make you look … bridal … as opposed to lovely if un bridal."

"Oh God forbid I look unbridal!"

"Well exactly! So, where do you want to buy your dress?"

"Well since we're getting married in London, it makes sense to buy the dress here I guess!"

"I suppose, well I'll check my diary and I'll have to come down and take you out dress shopping! I'm too excited Shelagh, this is such amazing news!"

"Yeah, it's going to be brilliant! I'm … I'm just really happy! Look – I've got to go, I've just finished my run, I'm cycling off to meet Patrick for a coffee."

"Urgh, why are you so healthy? Wait till you have bairns, you wont be all toned and sleek!"

"Oh Shh your self, you look fine, you always do! But I do have to go now."

"Alright, well give Patrick my love, and I'll see you soon!"

"Bye!"

"Bye bye." Hanging up, Shelagh pushed her mobile back into belt and mounted her bike, plugging her ipod back in she set off for the couple of miles towards the café. The journey was going to be quiet, even the main road next to the park was quiet given that it was ten to ten on a Tuesday morning. Pedalling off the pavement she was suddenly flagged down by a tall broad black man, his ill-fitting suit rucked at the elbows and shoulders but he beamed a broad smile at her. It took her a second for her brain to click into place over who he was.

"Shelagh hi!"

"Hi … uh … Martin?"

"Mark!"

"Sorry, Mark! Terrible with names, you're Simon's Dad aren't you?"

"That's it, I was trying to catch up with you but you were jogging."

"Yes … yes I was, I run … did you want anything?"

"… oh umm … no no … I was just trying to you know … catch up with you … say hello!"

"Hello … so you're alright?"

"Yeah great thanks! You and old Patrick still going strong?"

"Umm yeah, yeah we're getting married actually in the new year."

"Yeah Tim said! So that's still all … on?"

"… yeah … yeah still in love and … and all that. I was just out for a jog and now I'm off for a coffee with Patrick so …"

"Oh wow you jog here?"

"Uh yeah most mornings, just 3 or 4 miles round the park you know."

"Does Patrick come too?"

"Patrick?! Lord no, he's at home eating bacon and listening to radio 4 I imagine!"

"Oh wow yeah, because I jog here most mornings too."

"Really? I've never seen you?"

"Yeah … well I mean I mostly come in the evenings … not … so much the mornings …"

"But you just said that … oh never mind, I need to get going. Bye Mark."

"Bye Shelagh, and if you ever need anyone to talk to about … or just to go for a drink you know…"

"I'll bear it in mind! Bye now!" Martin seemed reluctant to move, meaning that Shelagh had to jump the curb to get around him, with a small non-committal wave Shelagh made a last ditch attempt to get away from the park. Cycling towards the T-junction, and pausing at the lights she risked a cursory glance behind her to see where the somewhat over keen Mark had got to. She caught sight of him, watching her from the pavement, catching her eye he tried again for a violently cheerful wave.

"Morning love, you look beautifully sweaty. How was your run?"

"Well …" Flopping down opposite Patrick, Shelagh leant across the table for a brief kiss before settling back down on her seat. "I just bumped into every one's favourite creep bag!"

"Oh God – you don't mean Mark Williams?!"

"I wish I bloody didn't! He was in the park … he was all like ' oooh – I jog here, we should go for a drink.' all that kind of crap and rubbish."

"Oh God, maybe we should emigrate, how does Outer Mongolia sound to you?"

"Perfect! What are you drinking?"

"I'll just have a coffee thanks love."

"I imagine that could be managed, do you want anything to eat?"

"No no I'm fine thanks. Hey look, do you want me to talk to Mark?"

"Do you want to? I mean he's a bit of a creep but he's not really doing any harm and I don't think he means any harm …"

"Yeah but – do you want me to?"

"Umm … Yeah maybe you should."

"Ok I will – I'm taking Tim to Cubs tonight so I might see Mark there …"

"I probably wont attend to be honest."

"No, you'd be distracting both of us."

"I look disgusting and yet you still find me attractive? You're either desperate or terribly in love."

"Hmm well I know I'm not desperate, so I suppose that means that I'm really in love with you!"

"Well, that's fortunate!"

We've been friends for, oh, so long, I let you share what's mine. When you mess with the girl I love, it's time to draw the line. Keep your hands off my baby, ain't a-gonna tell you, but a one more time. So keep your hands off my baby. Boy, you get it through your head, that girl is mine.

Tapping his foot against the edge of the car, Patrick spied Mark across the car-park of the scout hut. He ground his cigarette under his shoe and stood up, the radio continued to play out as he wandered the 10 feet to the only other car there. It took Mark a moment to notice the doctor stood beside the car,

"Hi Patrick … you're not usually this early."

"No, I got off work early and Shelagh's cooking tea for me and the boy."

"So things are good between you two then …?"

"Never better. Shelagh said you two met at the park today."

"She told you that?"

"Why wouldn't she? She's my fiancé – you're the Dad of her step son's friend. So … why wouldn't she tell me that you apparently run at the same park and that you offered her a drink if she 'ever needed someone to talk to'" cocking an eyebrow Patrick watched the response on the face of Mark. The man had gone quiet, he ran a finger along the top edge of his steering wheel before inhaling and turning towards Patrick.

"You know … I mean you know I never would have -"

"Yeah I know you wouldn't, I just wanted to make sure that we were reading off the same hymn sheet, and I never want Shelagh to feel uncomfortable when spending time with either my friends or my boy's friends."

*Just spoke to Mark, he will NOT be bothering you again! P X*

*Well that just sounds like you've had him killed! Sx*

*He is alive. But a little sheepish and embarrassed so next parents evening might be a little awkward! P x*

*I look forward to that! Just spoke to Molls, she's coming down in a fortnight to do wedding dress shopping! Girlyest weekend EVER. Sx*

*I am fully expecting a massive one, with crystals and glitter and stuff!*

*You're in luck, I won't be able to get down the aisle it's going to be so big. Might even get a massive train for you to step on all through the first dance. Sx*

*I wont be dancing! Pxx*

*Yeah you are. S x*

*I just defended your honour – I deserve a reward for that surely P x*

*You get your reward later … Sx*

*Do I? Pxx*

*Shealgh? Do I?! Px*

*Shelagh! Answer me – I'm stuck in traffic – you're killing me here! Pxxx*