I am sorry this chapter has taken so long to go up, you know how it is, you take two weeks A/L and suddenly everyone's round for a cup of tea and a catch up and suddenly it's 9pm and you haven't done any writing!
I really enjoyed writing this chapter, so I hope you all enjoy reading this one, thanks to all of you who have reviewed - I love every single one. And a special thank you to "Alias Euterpe" who has provided me with an excellent insight to what weevils are!
Just by the by – I haven't been to a church wedding for a very very long time! So apologies for any inaccuracies, I took all my knowledge from various films I've seen and if any of you are more familiar with Curch of England wedding services then I apologise for my hashed together service!
This chapter's songs are:
Today I met the boy I'm going to marry – Darlene Love
Marry You – Bruno Mars
Take her back – The pigeon detectives.
Enjoy! x
Today I met the boy I'm gonna marry. He's all I've wanted all my life and even more, he smiled at me and then the music started playing, here comes the bride when he walked through the door. Today I met the boy I'm gonna marry. The boy whose life and dreams and love I wanna share. For on my hand a band of gold appeared before me, the band of gold I'd always dreamed I'd wear. When we kissed I felt a sweet sensation. This time it wasn't just my imagination …
"Umm Cynthia, this entire wedding morning playlist full of love songs?"
"Of course it is … what the hell else would be on a wedding playlist!? Hard core metal?"
"Good point, why do you own so many love songs anyway?"
"I'm a single twenty-something who lives alone … I have a computer full of love ballads and a cupboard full of gin!"
"Well that's a country and western song waiting to happen. Perhaps I'll set you up with … with someone at the wedding!"
"No! Men at weddings are always a bit … odd."
"Is that code for drunk and desperate?"
"Yes! There's something about a wedding, it makes single people act oddly" The front door on the latch, clicked open and revealed Molly laden down with a large box followed by a nervous looking brunette in a bright pink tennis dress.
"Morning Shelagh, fear not, I'm here and I found your hair and make-up … what was your name sorry?"
"Jo, hi again Shelagh."
"Hi, sorry – you should have buzzed up?"
"Yes I know, sorry I actually couldn't remember the flat number! Shall I get all plugged in and set up?"
"Yeah yeah, please do! Umm – how about just here? By the wall?"
"That'll do lovely thanks. Am I alright just to pop to the toilet first? Pregnancy does wonders for your bust but plays havoc with my bladder!"
"Of course, uh just through there on the left."
"Right!" Said Molly, setting the box down on the kitchen counter, "I popped into that café by the docks, the one run by your neighbour? Thought I'd grab you some tea since you so stupidly gave away your kettle! And as well as five free takeaway teas he bunged in 5 free bacon baps! So we are on a roll to have a belter of a morning!"
"Aww you're brilliant! Where's Dad?"
"He's still at the hotel, he decided that he wasn't feeling up this morning session, so I said we'd get the car to run to the hotel on the way to the church, is that alright?"
"Of course! Is he … is he OK?"
"Yeah – just tired, taking it easy for once … now! Let's get this tea drunk and you looking like a superstar!"
"Love, I don't do superstar – I do presentable at best!" Replied Shelagh, making a face at her sister,
"Oh, Shelagh by the way – John's picked up the flowers from the uhh …"
"Florist?"
"Thank you." replied Cynthia. " Very helpful, yeah the florists, he's just texted me, he's pulling up here now and then he's going to run Patrick, Tim and the boys button holes over to them and then head onto the church. I'll go down and let him in."
"Oh fantastic, thanks Cynthia, here take my keys!" Cynthia grabbed the bunch of keys off of the kitchen counter and jogged out of the flat, leaving the sisters together. "The two cars are coming at half ten aren't they?"
"Yep, me and Cynthia are getting the little one, and then yours is running you, via the hotel to pick up Dad to the church. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, of course!"
"You know it's OK to be nervous don't you…"
"I'm not nervous why would I be nervous? I'm really happy and excited and it's going to be … be totally brilliant and amazing."
"And the Oscar goes to …"
"Shut up Molls, I'm fine! Completely fine why wouldn't I be fine!"
"Because you're getting married, and it's scary. I mean it's scary enough for any one, but your bloke's got a twelve year old son and he's almost old enough to be your father."
"Only if he started very bloody young Molls!"
"There's 22 years between you Shelagh, he's 50 … I mean that's a daunting enough thing for anyone to marry into … especially if your 28."
"You're right of course. It's lucky I'm moving in with him, so we wont have to get a walk in bath fitted in the flat, and I've really no room for an oxygen mask beside the bed! Jesus Molly, it's … it's not like that."
"I didn't say that it was a bad thing Shealgh, I just meant that it's a lot to take on and marry into. I mean if you were marrying another 28 year old you'd both be experiencing all this for the first time … together. You're brave that's all I meant, he's been married, he's had kids, it's not all new for him."
"Being married to me will be new for him, and being married to him will be new to me … so … so why should anything else matter? To us or anyone else? And as for the age thing … I don't see it, I mean I know that he's got a bit of a head start on me, but he makes me so happy, he makes me feel safe and want to laugh and … and he makes me feel sexy and God alone knows it's been long enough since I felt like anyone found me remotely attractive. And … was that my phone?"
"Ummm yeah, it's a text … from Patrick."
"Hand it over then, let's see what my man has to say for himself!"
"Oh no! It's bad luck for you two to see each other before the wedding!"
"Molls, you know how texts work don't you!"
"Well I'll check first … eh?"
"God Molls you're so bloody nosey!"
"Only because I care."
"No it's because you're so bloody nosey! Go on then, what does it say?"
"It says … I don't get it?"
"What is it!?"
"Umm, it says: Fat Penguin … is that a weird fetish?" Shelagh felt her shoulders shake and she bent over burying her face into her palm to hide her laughter, "What is it? I don't get it!? Shelagh?"
"It's umm … it's a joke. Fat Penguin – it's an ice breaker…"
Patrick ran his palms along the top of his trousers, they were sweating profusely and he could feel tightness in his throat. He gave a sideways glance at Tim who was sat next to him at the front of the church, he tried to smile but he could feel it turning into a rictus grin.
"Dad, are you alright? You look a bit … weird."
"No no no, no I'm uh I'm fine just a bit … you know … uh … good yeah, right."
"Are you having a stroke?"
"When did you get so cheeky?"
"When you started going out with a younger woman … you know everything's going to be alright don't you?"
"Yeah, yeah I know. Thanks Tim … you know you've been … well brilliant recently. I'm just being daft – everything will be fine."
"As long as Shelagh turns up obviously."
"You're not too old for a clip around the ear you know! I …" Patrick tailed off as he saw the vicar raise his head, and nod at the back of the church before turning on his heel to face Patrick, he gave a reassuring smile,
"It's time Dr Turner."
"Right … Tim? You ready?"
"Yeah, it'll be fine. Dad?"
"It's going to be brilliant." taking a deep break Patrick stood up slowly as the music started. The first soft piano notes started playing, his heart quickened and he felt like there wasn't quite enough oxygen in the room, turning slowly he looked up the aisle as Shelagh started to move into his view.
It's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do. Hey babe, I think I wanna marry you …
He looked at her slowly, drinking her in, he smiled that she was still wearing her Ronnie Corbett glasses – she knew that he liked them. Her hair was half up, swept off her face and trailing across her shoulders in the half wave that it always settled into when she was asleep beside him. The veil, unlike the massive 80's creations that had been so popular in his youth, was small, covering only around half of her face and one side of her hair.
… Well, I know this little chapel on the boulevard we can go. no one will know. Oh, come on girl …
She was walking slowly with her arm linked through her fathers, she looked scared, which reassured him a little if he was honest but as she met his eyes she broke into a reassuring smile and poked her tongue out at him making him laugh and his breath came a little easier.
… I'll go get a ring let the choir bells sing like, Ooh, so what ya wanna do? Let's just run, girl …
Her dress fell to just above her knees, the sleeves to just below her elbows and there was an almost hint of blue fabric under the white lace of the skirt. She locked her eyes onto his and smiled shyly, he raised his eyebrows at her and exhaled slowly to try and steady his pulse.
… Is it the look in your eyes? Or is it this dancing juice? Who cares, baby, I think I wanna marry you.
Sliding in beside him, Shelagh unlinked her arm from Michael's and after a quick glance at her father she turned to face Patrick.
"Nice tie …"
"Thanks … You look beautiful."
"Well, I thought I should make an effort." The couple turned towards the vicar who gave them both a reassuring smile,
"Ready?" he asked. Smiling again he looked up and addressed the addressed the assembled masses of the couple's family and friends. "Good afternoon everyone, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Patrick and Shelagh, which they have chosen to perform here today in the sight of God."
"First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now or forever hold their peace. The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts. Therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now …. Lovely, that bit always makes me nervous! Now, on to the main event. Patrick John Turner, will you take Shelagh Maria McDonald to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"Yes … I will."
"Shelagh Maria McDonald, will you take Patrick John Turner to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I do, I mean … I will!"
"I remember the first time I my bairn home, a tiny wee thing, I could have carried her with one hand … not that her mother would have let me! The first time you see your bairn you want to protect them at all costs and make sure that nothing ever goes wrong for them … I'm proud to say that when I see Shelagh and Patrick together I know that my job as a father is done. I've raised a beautiful, clever, headstrong young woman who has chosen her man … I'll be honest when I first saw Patrick I had my reservations, and I'm sure I won't have been then only one who wandered … but I was wrong, and I saw that quickly, if he's brave enough to take on my wee Shelagh then good luck to him and I hope she manages to make him as happy as I can see he's made her. I would like you all to raise a toast – to Shelagh and Patrick."
"Shelagh and Patrick!"
"And now ladies and gents … we have a special request! From … umm – Julie, Trixie, Jenny, Cynthia, John and Camilla, so here we go!" He's not sure what he should do, she's 17, he's 22. Is that too much of a difference? So instead look what he's done, he's found a girl who's 31. Is that too much of a difference? She's got everything he wants, she's got everything he needs …
"Oh God Shelagh … I am so sorry! It's Trixie and John …"
"Sorry, what Cynthia?"
"The song – I had no idea!"
"Sorry were two pages stuck together? Have I missed some major development?"
"The song … about the umm …. Well about the girl and her …older man and the … them and you know …"
"Shit Cynthia, you don't mean you think people have noticed the age gap!? And we thought we were keeping it so well covered! Do you think the walking frame and the orthopaedic slippers gave the game away? Oh don't worry so much, come on, let your hair down – have some fun, on me!"
"I'm happy here, look go and dance with Patrick, or you know … sit with him, or go and be couply anyway! I'm not sure it's the done thing to lurk around the bar at your own wedding!"
"You're sure?"
"Go – go on!" Shelagh gave Cynthia a quick hug and kissed her on the cheek and ran as well as can be done in heels and a wedding dress over to where Patrick was people watching from his chair on the edge of the dance floor. Cynthia watched her friend and smiling turned back towards the bar to put her almost empty glass down, she turned too quickly and managed to elbow the young man stood next to her directly in the ribs while tipping the remains of her drink over the floor. Her face flushing red Cynthia panicked, the tall man, with his close cropped dark hair pushed his glasses up his nose and brushed a few drops of drink off his waistcoat,
"Oh – I am so so sorry! Are you OK – oh God did I hurt you?!" she asked,
"No no, I'm fine, sorry I wasn't paying attention, you've spilt your drink." he replied.
"It's fine, I was almost finished."
"Let me buy you another!"
"It's a free bar."
"No no really I insist!"
"Ok … vodka and lemonade please … Do you always get strange women at weddings drinks?"
"It's an old Russian custom."
"Is that where you're from?"
"No, Serbia, but I'm well-travelled. And you?"
"I'm not well travelled no."
"I meant where are you from? You can tell me your name too if you like, I wont stalk you on Facebook or anything else weird you've heard about us Eastern Europeans."
"You mean you won't use my name to get a visa! It's Cynthia … Miller, I work with Shelagh, and you?"
"Dr Miroslav Petrović, I used to work in A&E with Shlealgh before she ran off to be a midwife."
"A Serbian doctor working for the NHS, David Cameron must hate you."
"The hate mail is certainly getting more frequent yes … this barman seems determined not to give me a drink …"
"It doesn't matter."
"Do you want to dance?"
"Me?"
"Yes … If you want, I mean I believe people do dance at weddings."
"I'm a terrible dancer …"
"And I can't play spell anaesthetist … we all have our crosses to bear."
"Why don't you try Jenny, she's brilliant!"
"I'm sure she is, but I'd rather dance with you and be rubbish, than dance with her and be brilliant … if you like."
"I'm really awful …"
"Do you know, Anaurin Bevan was so bad at dancing that they had to put a ban on music being played in his office."
"You're making that up."
"Obviously – but it made you smile."