"It was really weird going back there. It was exactly the same. Remember Dougie?"
"Doughnut Dougie? Dougie Doughnuts?"
"He's had a heart attack. No one told me."
"Oh my god. Is he dead?"
"I think so. Nobody seems to really know."
"Oh. Do you miss it? Do you wish you still worked there?"
"Do you know what? Not at all. I really don't. I won't have to come up again for ages. Probably not for another six months."
"That's good. It's like the old days, this, isn't it? Me down here, you up there."
"It's only one night."
"I know that. I just mean it's like it used to be when we first met."
"Yeah. God, all them phone calls."
"And the phone sex."
"That was good though, wasn't it?"
"Yeah. You going out with James later then?"
"I don't know. Maybe. It won't be a late one."
"Don't get drunk. You've got to drive back in the morning."
"I'll be home by midday. It's not starting till three, is it?"
"I know, but you've got to put your suit on and your shoes and belt and everything."
"How's Lily feeling?"
"She's alright. We're just having a night in with Poppy. You know, bleaching and shaving and general wedding prep. I just can't believe she's getting married. Can you?"
"Less than twenty four hours to go now, babe."
***
Barry Island, Wales
Remus sat painting Lily's nails. "Right, that's the base coat. Let that dry a minute." Lily blew on her nails. "Now, are you sure you want them black?"
"Yeah. It's stylish."
"Is it though? I mean..."
"Oh Rem, stop stressing me out."
"I think what Remus means, Lil, is it's not very bridal." Lyall said from where he was sat filing Lily's toenails.
"I'm not very bridal."
"Yes you are."
"I tell you what, why don't we paint the toenails black?" Lyall suggested. "That way you retain a certain sense of individuality, but you keep it hidden away."
"No. Stick to the plan, Lyall."
"There we are. All done." Poppy got up from the floor and stood back to admire the dress on the mannequin.
"Oh, Poppy. That looks lush." Remus smiled.
"That looks lovely Poppy." Lyall said.
"Are you sure you don't want to try it on?" Poppy asked Lily.
"No need. If you got the measurements right it'll be fine. If not, you'll ruin my day. Simple as."
***
Essex, England
Sirius looked up to find Euphemia staring at him. "What?"
"It's just so nice having you here without Remus."
"Effie!" Sirius and Fleamont said at the same time.
"Not like that." Euphemia rolled her eyes. "I love Remus. It's just...oh, I don't know. I just feel like I've got you back all to myself. Just for tonight."
"Right. I'm done." James sighed as he entered the kitchen through the back door.
"I should think so. It's quarter to eight." Euphemia checked the clock on the kitchen wall.
"He didn't start until four." Fleamont scoffed.
"How come?" Sirius asked.
"Slept in. Didn't wake up until three thirty."
"What were you doing last night?"
"Playing Rock Band with Wormy. It's amazing." Sirius nodded. "We're thinking about forming a proper band - a group." Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"I've done your dinner sweetheart. It's in the oven." Euphemia stood up.
"Cheers. I can get it."
"I'm going to get a bath and a face pack, ready for tomorrow."
"Yeah, we'll clear this up." Fleamont smiled at his wife.
"Shame you're not going to be there James, at the wedding." Euphemia sighed.
"Is it?"
"Well yeah. It doesn't feel right somehow. What are you gonna do with yourself?"
"I'll pick up Harry, my boy, and take him to Jungle Jim's. You know, the kids' play centre thing."
"Bit young for that, isn't he?"
"Nah, I checked it out on Monday. They've got a little preschool bit, you know - soft toys, little train. It'll be nice." Sirius, Fleamont and Euphemia all stared at James. "What?"
"Nothing. You're fine darling." Euphemia patted her son on the arm.
***
Barry Island, Wales
"So it's right, together. Left, together. Right, together. Left, together." Remus turned around and handed Lily the rolled up magazine he'd been using as a makeshift bouquet. "Okay. You have a go." Lily took the magazine and stood up. She sighed before walking across the room.
"No, no, no. Not like that." Poppy sighed.
"You're going too fast!" Remus shook his head.
"I don't see the point. Why am I stopping for? I never walks like that. I'm going from A to B, that's all. Why've I got to look like a dick?"
"I don't think you look like a dick Lily."
"Well I feels like a dick Poppy. Right, this is supposed to be my hen night, what's the plan?"
"I'm doing pizzas and garlic bread." Lyall said.
"And I've got us a little film." Poppy held up a DVD. "It's a thriller staring two-time academy award-winner Mister Kevin Spacey."
"Cracking." Lily nodded.
***
Essex, England
James, Euphemia, Sirius and Fleamont all sat in the living room in front of the television. The doorbell echoed around the house.
"Oh my Christ." Euphemia sat up straight. "Who's that?"
"I'll get it." Sirius got up and headed into the hallway. He opened the door and Regulus smiled at him. "Yes, Reggie."
"Alright Siri? Is James in?"
"Yeah, yeah. Prongs, it's Reggie!"
"Invite him in. Come in Regulus." Euphemia muttered from the other room.
"No, you're alright Effie. I'm just dropping off a card. James left it in my car."
"Sure you won't stay for a drink?"
"No, I'm fine thanks, Monty."
"I'd come out to see you Regulus, but I'm doing a face pack - lavender and jasmine."
"Nice. Okay. I'll see you later."
"Take it easy, Reg." Sirius hugged his brother. Regulus pulled away.
"Oh my god. You were right." He said to James.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"You're Welsh."
"Eh?"
"Your accent - you're speaking Welsh."
"What you on about?"
"What you on about?" Regulus copied him making James laugh.
"Shut up."
"Shut up." Regulus copied again. "You're a traitor. You've betrayed your roots. You'll be playing rugby next." James and Regulus high-fived.
"Told you!"
"See you later." Regulus waved as he made his way back to his car. Sirius closed the door and followed James into the living room.
"You've got a card for Lily?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Nothing."
"I really don't understand why you've got to have Harry tomorrow." Euphemia sighed as James and Sirius sat down.
"Yeah. Why doesn't Lily want the baby at the wedding?" Fleamont asked.
"I dunno. She watched her own mother get married nine times or something."
"To three different men." Sirius added.
"Oh, I see."
***
Barry Island, Wales
The film ended and Poppy sighed. "So it was Keyser Söze the whole time?"
"Yeah. He didn't really have a limp either." Remus said.
"He was putting it on." Lyall added.
"That's very clever." Poppy switched off the television. "How do they think these things up, Lyall?"
"I don't know. They just do."
"Yeah. I've seen it three times now and I still didn't think it was going to be him." Remus shook his head.
"He's a good bloke, Kev. I've got a lot of time for him." Lily nodded.
The phone started to ring and Lyall got up to answer it.
"On that note, I'm gonna turn in." Poppy said as she stood up. "See you all."
"Hello? Oh, hiya Severus. How are you feeling?" Lyall asked. "Yeah, I'll get her now." He held the phone out to Lily. "Lil, it's Sev."
"What's he want?"
"He wants to talk to you."
"Ask him what he wants." Lyall held the phone back up to his ear.
"What was it you wanted, Sev?" Lyall nodded. "He says he misses you and wants to hear your lovely voice before you become his bride tomorrow."
"Fair play. Hand him over." Lily took the phone and Lyall sat down on the sofa next to Remus who picked up a magazine and started to flick through. "Alright Sev? How's it going? Alright? My old man there yet?" Lily nodded. "Cracking." Remus looked up as Lily shrugged. "Oh, this and that but I'm gonna go now. Bye." Lily hung up and placed the phone down on the coffee table.
