"Urgh," June groaned as she opened her eyes. "Where am I?"
She looked up and saw that she was in her asleep on the sofa in a strange flat.
"What's going on? And where am I?"
"Morning," a voice chirped brightly, "You're at my place. You certainly slept in didn't you?"
"Urgh"
"Time to get up!"
"Urgh"
"I mean it," Polly said as she strode over to the other side of the room and ripped the curtains open.
"Urgh," June groaned as she covered her eyes and buried her way back under the sheet that covered her.
Polly strode back over to the sofa and pulled back the blanket
"I know it was a late one last night but remember what day it is today?"
"Urgh,"
June pulled her unco-operating body off the sofa and stumbled towards the bathroom.
*********
At the other side of town a similar scene was occurring, a hung over Tony lay on the sofa only to be awoken by cheerful and chirpy Jim.
"Come on Tone, rise and shine," he said offering him a strong black coffee and two nurofen.
As Tony sat up in bed Jim looked him up and down:
"Looking at you I remember why I don't drink anymore," he grinned
"I'm showered already and I'm gonna nip over to my place to get changed. When I'm back I want you ready and able Tone. It's an important day remember"
"Yes Jim," Tony muttered into his coffee.
*********
"You look better June," Polly commented as a robed June emerged from the bathroom.
"My head," June winced, "How much did we drink last night?"
"Erm, quite a lot actually. Look at the devastation in the kitchen," Polly gestured to a huge array of bottles near the door, "and that doesn't count what we drank in the pubs and that dodgy club!"
"Why do you look so fresh then?" muttered June
"These help," she said throwing a bag over to June
"What's this?"
"Take a look"
June walked into her room and sat down at her dressing table. She tipped the contents of the bag out onto the surface: eye drops, painkillers, and a couple of mini bottles of various cosmetics.
"My miracle hangover cure kit," Polly grinned sticking her head around the door to the bedroom, "never go anywhere without it!"
"Thanks," June chuckled
"Well us girls have to look our best on days like this don't we"
*********
"Alright alright keep your hair on," Tony shouted he ran down the stair buttoning up his shirt. "Oh it's only you. Did you have to knock so hard?"
"Well you certainly look better than when I last saw you," Jim grinned
"That's the nurofen mate"
"Do you like the suit Tone? Specially bought for today?"
"Well you scrub up well Jim I have to say. Better than them rags you used to wear in your days as a DC!"
"Hey," Jim laughed swatting at him, "Why aren't you ready anyhow. It's nearly time to go"
"Stop rushing Jim, there's still two hours to go"
"Two hours? Are you sure?"
"Check the clock if you don't believe me"
Jim looked at the clock on the mantle piece then switched the telly on to check the time on that.
"Someone's been having a laugh!" he groaned
"Gotcha mate! We know you're always running late so we thought we'd make sure you'd be ready on time today"
"You git!" Jim laughed, "Right I'm gonna make a cuppa and then sit down in front of the telly. Tea or coffee?"
"Glad to see you making yourself useful. Tea please � a strong one. I'm going to finish getting dressed."
*********
"I've left my make up bad at my place Pol," June shouted, "aargh, we're going to be so late."
"Throw us your keys and I'll nip round while you get dressed. I'm practically ready now"
"Would you? That's great. Love the dress Pol"
"Thanks! It'll only take me ten minutes. I'll do it while your getting dressed or doing your hair. Besides the taxi's picking us up from here so there's no point us going back to yours. Anything else you want?"
"No you mention it, yeah. In the bedroom, top left drawer in the dressing table there's a present � it's wrapped up in cream wrapping paper. Can you bring that too?"
"So make up and present � top left drawer."
"Pol!" June shouted, "the make up bag should be on the dressing table"
"Right June," Polly replied as she slammed the door behind her
*********
June heard the key in the door
"Did you find it Pol?" she shouted as she walked over to the bedroom door
"Yup, here it is," she mumbled struggling to carry the make up bag, the present and put her keys into her handbag at the same time
Pol dropped everything onto the sofa and looked up offering June the make up
"Wow, nice suit June. Give us a twirl"
June blushed and spun round for Polly
"No honestly June, the colourings great on you and the hangover kit certainly worked!
June laughed as she retrieved her make up bag. "I'll not be long Pol, then you can finish getting ready"
"Ok June, cup of tea?"
"Please Pol"
*********
"Ten minutes till the taxi arrives Tony"
"Yes Jim" Tony rolled he eyes and laughed. "Look Jim � you're ready I'm ready. What can go wrong?"
"What if the taxi's late?"
"It's booked for 12:30 Jim. That gives us half an hour to get there. If it doesn't come we can walk it in that time. Now shut up and brush your hair, it's gone wild again"
Jim ran over to the mirror and flattened the uncontrollable mop on his head
"Better Tone?"
"Much"
They were disturbed by a car horn in the street outside.
"That'll be the taxi Jim � bang on time. What did I tell you?
"Ok you were right, as usual. Got everything you need?"
"Yes Jim. Have you?"
"Yes"
"Right go and get in the car. I'll lock up and follow you"
*********
"What time's the taxi coming Pol?" June shouted from the bedroom
"Quarter to June," Pol replied running into the room, "shove up, need to touch up me make up before it gets here!"
June smiled and moved up. Both women stood side-by-side putting the finishing touches to their hair, make up and outfits.
"Right ready Pol?"
"Ready June"
June picked up her bag and the present, Polly grabbed her stuff and they walked though to the lounge room just as the taxi driver blared his horn.
"That's us!"
As they left the flat Pol shut the door behind them with a resounding thud.
*********
The taxi pulled up dead on one o'clock
"Perfect timing June," commented Polly
"I know"
"That'll be �7.70 ladies," interrupted the taxi driver
June stuffed a ten-pound note into his hand as she got out of the taxi.
"Thanks. Have a great day," he replied
"We will," June smiled back at him.
"Want me to carry that box for you June?" Polly asked
"Thanks"
"Right," June took a deep breath, "time to go in I think"
*********
They entered the building and heading towards the room on the left.
"Let me go in first," Pol said as she walked in and took a seat.
June followed her in and looked around at the sea of familiar faces from: Matt Boyden and Craig Gilmore, Bob Cryer and Charles Brownlow, all of the current belief and many blasts from the past.
Taking a deep breath she walked to her place at the front of the room next to Jim and Tony.
The room fell silent and the man right as the man right at the front of the room began to speak:
"Good afternoon all. Today we are here to witness the marriage of June Carolyn Ackland and James Michael Carver"�..