“Andy’s Last Shout”

*Multiple character RR by Antonia, Beej and Stacey

This was it... Andy's last night as a free man... and Colin and the boys had made sure it would be a ripper of a time.

In the morning, he was set to marry Lucy, but now for the next few hours he belonged to them.

"Get a move on, Mate!" Colin shouted out to Andy, as he and Alex walked up to the counter. "What are you still doing here at work, anyway? We've told the others to meet us in Coff's. Their probably three sheets to the wind by now, and all the best women are surely taken!"

Andy grinned, "I was waiting on Johnny, Amanda is dropping him off about now," he pointed to the door where Johnny was standing looking around for the other guys.  "Over here mate," he called out.

"Good, I thought I'd missed the boat, hey Colin, Alex," he shook hands around and slid them in the back pockets of his jeans.

"Johnny, good ta see ya, Mate," Colin told him, slapping him on the back.

"Hiya, Johnny," Alex nodded with a grin.

Andy patted down his pockets to make sure he had no car keys on him or anything else to lose. March was going to close up for him tonight and then join them later. He smiled probably his last sober smile of the night, "I'm ready if you are."

"Mate, you have no idea how ready I've been for this," Colin chuckled, following his friends outside to the parking lot where the limo they'd hired was waiting. "No one stepped up to be the designated driver, Mate, so we had to hire one," he told Andy when he saw the startled look on his face. "Hope that's okay... oh, and Lucy and Amanda both informed me to make bloody hell sure the two of you are in this ride by the end of the night or I will have to answer to them both! And Mate, let me assure you, I do not need anymore crazy sheila's breathing fire down my back!" he chuckled again.

 "I definitely don't need one breathing fire tomorrow," Andy crawled into the limo. "Thanks Colin for taking care of this."

”No worries, Mate,” Colin told him, waiting for the others to get in the limo before he made his awkward attempt with his broken leg. Somehow he managed to get himself and his crutches into the car without falling on his arse – a major feat, he thought.

Johnny slid into the seat beside him, "Amanda is too much like her Auntie - get her riled up and whoa."

Andy and Johnny both promised to be on their best behaviour...but hey it was Andy's last shout and who knew what lay ahead.

"It'll be a long time before one of them gets me to the alter, I can tell you that," Colin told them, handing a round of VB's off to them.

"Yeah, well, not everyone here can say they've had the bad luck with women you've had, Col," Alex chuckled, winking at Andy and Johnny. "Maybe you should take some notes from these two lads... might do ya some good in the female department for a change."

"Yeah, well, here's to Andy and Lucy," Colin said, tipping his bottle towards his friend, "Cheers."

Andy took a good drink from his can and wiped his mouth, “Thanks mates, yeah Colin’s snake bit now, what about you Alex, how did you escape? Oh not that I’m tryin’ to or anything I kinda like it.” Andy grinned

“Yeah Alex, what’ up with you?” Johnny wanted to know.

Alex grinned at them, "Oh don't worry about me, fellas... I've got a hot little honey a couple towns over has my name all over her."

"Yeah, but does she know it?" Colin howled with laughter.

"Yeah, well, at least I'm gettin' some which is more than I can say for you, my broken friend," Alex replied, still grinning.

"Well maybe tonight I'll get lucky and won't have to ride home with you lads," Colin told him, taking another chug of VB and wiping the back of his arm across his mouth.

"Let's just hope young Arthur doesn't beat you to the punch." They all roared with laughter at that.

Andy still laughing, “If he found it he wouldn’t know what to do with it. Ah poor Arthur.”

Johnny asked Andy, “He ain’t never had it?”

“Are you kidding Johnny, look at him man.”

“They say there’s somebody for everyone, maybe his number is coming up.”

“Oh ho, ho look out Colin ya better work fast mate.”

"Oh yeah right, if that bloke gets a sheila to hook up with him before I do, rounds are all on me!" Colin managed to burst out between hoots of laughter. "My mate, Jason, had at one point said it was his life's mission to get the lad laid and he's since given up and gotten hitched, himself! Never happen, mates!"
Colin giggled, wiping the tears from his eyes.

"I don't know about you lads, but I think I'll take O'Brien here up on that bet...," Alex winked, turned to Colin, "Whatdya say, Col?"

"I'd say that my money will be fuckin' stayin' in my pocket tonight, Mate, and you'll be buying your own drinks 'cuz that lad ain't never getting any sane woman into bed...scratch that... she might get him there but he won't have the nerve to stay there!" Colin roared with laughter again. "Besides, tonight's about Andy here... whatdya say, Andy? One last go round ‘til you’re tied to the little woman then?"

 “Shit you wanna get me killed? No no if you even see me looking in that direction pull me back mate. Really I’ve had all the sheila’s I could find in my time, Lucy’s the only one for me now.”

“Spoken like a bridegroom to be,” Johnny smiled and turned up his VB empting the can.

“Of course if I wanted to, I’d give Colin here a run for it or hey, maybe I’ll find one and give her to Colin, he can’t seem to find anything but trouble.” Andy laughed and reached for another VB.

 "Heh... you volunteering to be my wing-man, then, Mate?" Colin grinned, raising his eyebrows at him. "Well, just as long as you make sure I don't end up face down on the floor again... or worse yet, break another leg."

“Hey don’t even joke about breaking something, face down on the floor is good mate, you can’t fall off the floor.” Johnny laughed.

“Ah it’s gonna be a good night, ha just think where I’ll be tomorrow night eh,  while you guys are still nursing headaches I’ll be…well I ain’t going there, shut my mouth.” Andy gave himself a smack.

 "From your lips to God's ears, Mate," Colin replied, touching his bottle of VB to Andy's and Johnny's before downing the last of it.

"Look sharp, lads," Alex told them, "we're here!"

"Ahh... just in time, too, as we seem to be out of the amber," Colin told him, slapping Andy on the back as the limo pulled up along side of the bar.

Jimmy Kelp was just stepping to the door of the pub when the long limo pulled up, he stopped to see who was inside. When the door opened he smiled and bowed holding the door to the pub open, “Well if it ain’t the bride to be.”

“Hiya Kelp,” Andy grinned.

“Make way, make way,” Johnny called out walking in after Andy, “She’s here.”

“I see ya got him here,” Jimmy said slapping Colin on the back.

 "Yeah, now that we got him here the trick is to show him how much fun he'll be missin' out on by getting himself married off," Colin chuckled, shaking Kelp's hand.

Alex smiled broadly, watching as three attractive young ladies walked into the bar passed him. "While you boys are out here chatting it up, I believe I'll be gettin' inside and seein' what kind of trouble I can manage to find for myself tonight."

Andy ordered a round for his mates and noticed Kim Barrett at the end of the bar and motioned him over, “You do know this is my last shout, getting married tomorrow, why not join us for a round or two.”

“I didn’t know you were getting married Andy, yeah I’ll have one on ya.” Kim caught the bartender’s eye, “next shout is on me, congrats.” He raised his glass. Kim felt a bit out of it, he’d just had an argument with Cara and searched out the closest drinking establishment. Bloody women.

Johnny got his beer and turned leaning against the bar and saw a couple of good looking sheila’s  sitting at a table one giving him the eye, he smiled back and turned around elbowing Andy, “It’s gonna be a tough night Andy.”

Andy turned and looked at the table and winked at Johnny. “Better send Colin and Alex over.”

Colin, hearing his name mentioned, looked up and over to where the two had been staring and grinned. "Well those two will do me, but what's the rest of ya gonna do?" Colin chortled, as he motioned for the bartender and ordered a round of drinks for the two women. They waved and motioned for him to join them. "Looks like I'm in. Catch you lads, later."

On his way over to join them, he ran into Arthur. "Oh, hi there, Colin," Arthur said with a smile. "Have I missed any of the fun, then?"

"The funs just starting, Mate," Colin told him, slapping him on the shoulder. "Follow me, I'll buy you your first round and introduce you to my new friends over here."

Arthur eyed the two women, blushed. "Oh, thank you very much, Colin, but you go on. I'd like to say hello to Andy and the boys first... no need to be rude, you know."

Colin shook his head and chuckled as he watched his friend nervously rush off to join Andy and Johnny and the others. "Told ya, Ross... no helping the lad!" he shouted over to Alex, then strode over to the two ladies and began working his charm on them.

“Well look who’s here, hiya Arthur, get this man a beer,” Andy made room for Arthur between him and Johnny. “Come by yourself or did you bring a date,” Andy pressed his lips together to keep from smiling.

"Hi Andy," Arthur replied, "Oh, no, I thought this was a men's only night... no date tonight for me, maybe next time." He pulled up a chair and sat down next to them as the waiter brought him over a beer.

"Drink up, Arthur," Alex told him. "First rounds on me, but the last will be on our friend Colin over there." He grinned and nudged Johnny.

Johnny with a wide grin, “that’s right Colin’s got the last shout. Hey whatever happened to that Sheila you were chatting up last time we were here?”

“Yeah Arthur, whatever happened there…or didn’t?” Andy had the giggles.

"Oh, you mean Eve?" Arthur asked, thinking back to the last time he'd gone out with these lads and been fixed up with a girl from a women's rugby team. She'd agreed to go out on a date with him that night, but it had ended quite badly. "Yes, well... I had to let the poor dear down easy like, before she went and got too attached to me. No need getting all involved with someone who travels as much as she does with her team and all. I think I got a card from her in the post not too long ago... seems she still might be carrying a torch, you know." Eve had in fact sent a card to him - asking him to stop writing to her and calling her or she'd get a court order, but what the lads didn't know wouldn't hurt them, Arthur surmised.

 “You’re better off mate,” Kim stated matter- of- factly from the other side of Andy. “Trouble is what they bring, nothing but trouble.”

“I wouldn’t say that Kim,” Andy interjected, “Lucy brings…well,” he grinned, “good stuff.”

“Yeah so does Amanda, well then Arthur I guess you’re ready for another go.” Johnny began surveying the bar.

Before Arthur could object, Alex spoke up for him, "Of course he is! Why, I'm sure any gal in this place would like the chance to spend and evening with our friend here."

"Oh...um... I don't know about that," Arthur tried to interject. "Maybe you should see about what Colin is up to. Remember the last time... don't want him getting in that situation again."

The looked over to where Colin was sitting at the bar - his arms wrapped around the shoulders of both the women, grinning like a sailor on leave. "Looks to me like he's doing pretty good on his own," Alex commented with a grin.

“Yeah Arthur, take a lesson from ole Colin, you gotta use all that charm you have…you know bullshit ‘em a little, say how pretty they look, how smart they are, they eat that stuff up.”  Andy had another beer in his hand he had no idea who bought that one. “Ta whoever.” He called out and looked around. A redhead at the end of the bar lifted her glass to him. He turned back around. “Oh shit.”

Jimmy walked up, “That was the end of that, her boyfriend showed up, you boys got anything goin’?”

“Not me I’m a good boy tonight,” Johnny drained his pint and turned back to the bartender, “My shout.” He called out.

"Ta, Mate," Colin called back to him, raising his bottle.

"So, Kelp, how's it going down at McGee's? Heard he had some female problems of his own down there," Alex said, draining the last of his beer and replacing the empty bottle with the new one the bartender had set in front of him.

“I guess it’s all over town so I ain’t tellin’ you nothin’ you don’t already know.  Yeah he’s had some problems. He took himself to Sydney which in my opinion was a smart thing to do. If he stayed around here I don’t know what would have happened. “

"Glad to hear he's got his priorities right," Alex replied. "Speaking of priorities... excuse me one moment, lads... mission of mercy calls." He slid off his barstool and made his way towards a table where a young blonde was sitting sipping a glass of white wine.

After a few moments, Alex came sauntering back, grinning. "You're in, Arthur. She thinks your cute and wants you to come over and sit with her."

"She...she... does?" Arthur asked, nervously, his eyes wide. "Umm... alright then, I'll give it a go." He slowly made his way over to her table, bumping into several chairs and two tables as he went.

 Andy and Johnny were poking each other in the ribs like two school boys and giggling.

“You wanna let me in on the joke?” Jimmy looked from one to the other.

“It’s Arthur, he’s a virgin,” Andy giggled, “my mates have been tryin’ to get him laid…it don’t work,” he and Johnny both burst out laughing.

Kim leaning on the bar smiled watching Arthur bumping his way over to the woman. “If he’s smart he’ll stay a virgin.”

Jimmy grinned and shook his head and noticed his bottle was empty.

"Oh no, not on my watch," Alex chuckled. "What's wrong with gettin' the lad laid, anyway? You got something against the fairer sex, Kim?"

“Not as a whole no, I just seemed to have picked the wrong one so naturally I’m a little gun shy.. I thought I was having a good time, she on the other hand was getting pregnant.” Kim swirled his glass, he wasn’t drinking beer he was having a double shot of whiskey.

"Ah," Alex nodded, "that explains things. Yeah, I can understand you being a bit gun shy after that. Maybe Colin should take note... word is, that little bump his ex is sporting might not be Mr. Armani's afterall... but you didn't hear that from me." Alex tilted his bottle back and took another swig of beer.

“Is that so,” Jimmy looked over at Colin.

Andy usually knew what was going on in the Glen, seeing most of the residents in his restaurant but this was news to him, his smile faded and he looked at Colin.

“Does he know?” Johnny asked, “Colin I mean.”

"Well, not for certain, but... yeah...," Alex confided, leaning in close to others around wouldn't hear what he was telling them. "The other night... remember how drunk he got at the barbeque? Well, I drove him home, crashed at his pad. Got woke up the next morning when he got this strange call from his ex... declaring he wasn't the father. Next thing I know, Colin's barreling downstairs, cursing up a storm... won't say why. Later, when we were having breakfast at your place, Andy... the poor bastard tells me he was doin' the math and Kate's story don't exactly jive." He paused, looked over at Colin, who was currently making out with one of the women. "I wasn't around here then, so I can't say for sure, but from what I heard, certain dates mighta overlapped there and it's quite possible our friend over there is gonna be a dad."

 “Whoooeee,” Andy’s eyes rounded, “and that clown, Sid is claiming it’s his.”

"Seems like that may very well be the case," Alex told them, noticing Colin was getting up off his bar stool and heading their way... a crutch under one arm and a beer in his free hand. "Speak of the devil..." Alex mumbled under his breath. "Hey buddy, what happened with the dames? Give you the boot already? Looked to me like you were doin' pretty good over there."

"Yeah, I was," Colin replied, smirking, as he awkwardly lowered himself into a free chair beside Andy. "Until their mum rang and told them they were out passed curfew and best be getting home before she sent out their dad to round them up. Next time mate," he turned to look at Andy, "when you try and hook me up with a sheila, make sure she's of age, will ya?"

“Hey I’m outta practice but there’s a redhead at the end of the bar been buying my last two beers. I’d go talk to her but ya know…I ain’t.”

“What red head?” Jimmy leaned over the bar and looked past elbows and glasses. It was Nell. “Andy, that’s my girl.”

“Wha…hey I haven’t done a thing I swear.”

Johnny giggled, “trouble is gonna find you,” he sang to Andy.

"Ohhh...," Colin chuckled. "No thanks there, Andy, I've had enough married and/or otherwise committed sheila for one lifetime, thank-you-very-much."

Jimmy picked up his beer and made his way down the bar and elbowed in beside of  Nell..

“What you doin’ buying my buddy beers?”

“I knew who he was I do work for him you know.”

“How come he didn’t recognize you?”

“He’s never seen me anywhere but serving tables.” She smiled.

Jimmy smiled too, looked like his evening was set.

"Looks like he's sure giving her an earful," Alex chuckled.

Colin nodded and took a sip of his beer as they all stood watching Jimmy and Nell down at the other side of the bar. Suddenly, he realized someone was missing from their group. "Oi, mates, where the fuck has young Arthur run off to then?"

Alex cocked an eyebrow at him, a wide grin spread across his face and he motioned over to where Arthur sat chatting with the young, pretty blonde girl he'd met.

"Oh fuck me! Nooo....," Colin howled with laughter. "Perfect. Just perfect. You mates set all this up, didn't ya? Sent me about chasin' after underaged sheilas all the while sittin' back here laughin' while you send young Baskin over there to the real deal! Some mates you are!"

Stevo nudged Jeff and winked, "Looks like they didn't wait for us to start the fun, Jeff. Wonder if I can get their attention...NEXT ROUND'S ON JEFF!!" he called.

“Good timing Cuz to be, Colin here needs a beer,” Andy grinned and slapped Jeff on the back. “Hey Stevo, good to see ya.”

“I told you, Baskin’s number was up Colin,” Johnny laughed.

"Just ain't right... just ain't...natural," Colin was saying, shaking his head. "Oi, Jeff, Stevo, mates... is that fucked up or what? oh, thanks for the beer mate, cheers!" He added, reaching for the new bottle and tossing it back.

"No worries, Col. Enjoy your drink. As for young Artie, I'm not quite sure if I'm the right man to ask about that. I lost my Cherry when I was about 14, in the garden shed."

"Was he good, Jeffie?" Stevo asked, a twinkle in his eye.

"You assuming it was a bloke then, Seb?"

"Course it was, I'll bet you knew from day one who's team you batted for."

Jeff landed a playful punch on his partner's arm and grinned at him. "Get yer lips around this," he laughed, handing Stevo a stubbie.

"14 were you, Jeff? Waited a bit late in life, did ya then?" Colin giggled, slapping Jeff on the shoulder. "Maybe I should stop trying and see what lands in my lap... scratch that, that's how I ended up with nutcase sheila number 2 last time. Ended up with both a broken heart and broken leg. Maybe you and Stevo here got the right idea afterall, mate... these sheilas are bloody crazy." He took another swig of beer and looked over at Arthur and his "date" again.

"Me and Jeff both dipped our toes in the water when we were younger, Col...but we realised that although girls are cute, curvy and cuddly...they don't really float our boat. They can be fickle as well."

"Yeah, and they fight like...girls!! All that hair pulling and name calling," Jeff giggled as he took a swig of his VB.

Andy grinned at Jeff, “14 eh, I was an old hand at 14.”

Johnny sputtered beer all down the front of his shirt and burst out laughing.

Andy laughing, “not what you’re thinkin’ mate, I was twelve when I lost it, ah you can’t say anything in this crowd of wankers.”

"Yeah, whatever you say, Andy, mate," Colin roared with laughter along with the others.

"So that's why all the good women are already taken," Alex chimed in, "All you bloody Aussies get a head start on us Yanks... snatch up all the real catches for yourselves and leave us poor bastards the leftovers to fight over."

"Speak for yourself there, Mate," Colin chuckled, "I had as head a start as these here blokes and I'm still trying my hand at finding a decent sheila. Which reminds me," he said, digging in his pocket for his wallet, "Looks like this round's on me... the young lad over there is getting up and leaving with that little sheila of his."

“Well now I’d wait a tick and see where he’s takin’ her.” Johnny intended to follow.

“Yeah if he’s escortin’ her to the loo it don’t count, Colin put your money back in your pocket.” Andy crossed his arms watching Arthur Baskin and the young lady.

Arthur held the young lady's hand in his and strode purposefully out the door, his head held high. A few moments later, he was back inside, beaming and grinning ear-to-ear.

"Oi, how goes it, Arthur, lad? She not to your liking or does she have to go home and wash her hair?" Colin asked, smiling as he shoved his wallet back into his jeans.

"Actually, Lila - oh, that's her name... Lila," he nearly sung, dreamily, "She has an early work day in the morning, but she gave me her number and agreed to go out to dinner with me next Saturday."

"Well, well, well, good for you, Arthur," Alex congratulated the lad. "So, what do you say, boys? Does that constitute a round on Colin or not?"

"I say not," Colin spoke up, chuckling, "however, I do give my congratulations to you, Arthur. Good onya, Mate."

March walked into the bar with only a glass of wine under his belt, he noticed right away they’d been there for awhile. He went up to the group,

“What is this I see empty pint glasses, empty cans, this cannot stand, Barman please a round for my friends.” He smiled, “How are you Andy?”

“Oh I’m doin’ pretty good, yeah still standing though I think these blokes are tryin’ to get me drunk.” Andy was well on his way and didn’t have far to go..

"Ta, Mate," Colin told him, handing off his empty bottle and reaching for a new one. "You've got some catching up to do."

“I do indeed,” he spoke to the bartender, “but I will try my best, ah here’s a start,” Three shots were placed in front of him and he downed them one after another. “Now, my usual.” The bartender handed him a mixed drink. “It has been a hectic week, Andy is a slave driver.”

He spoke to Johnny, Alex and Arthur, smiling broadly at what Johnny whispered in his ear. “Is he really, I didn’t know they existed past ten.”

"So, March, how's it going with that sheila I seen you with at the barbie, Mate?" Colin asked, lighting up a cigarette and passing one off to Alex.

“I think it’s going well but how do you ever know, I do know somebody else is after her, this old gossip Jessup tells me he sees Dan Evans go up to her apartment so you see…” He shrugged his shoulders.

"Shit mate," Colin said, downing more beer, "that's rough. What the fuck is it with these blokes that think they can just come in and steal your girl right out from under you, anyway? Fuckin' wankers."

Arthur, who was still clutching the piece of paper with Lila's name on it, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Colin should know about things like that... happened to him, what, twice now, mate?"

Colin shot Arthur a look, "yeah, thanks for reminding me, Arthur... just what I needed to boost my confidence and go talk to that pretty little sheila over there that's been givin' me the eye."

"Heh, I thought she was giving ME the eye," Alex chuckled, "or has Arthur here beaten us all out again and she's really lookin' his way?"

Arthur stuck out his chin confidently as the other roared with laughter.

“Women are nothing but trouble, so I got a kid out of the deal so what, I try to do the right thing, pay the money, see the kid when she lets me. I wasn’t even sure it was mine at first but I’m convinced now that she is my daughter. I’m trying to work things out with her mother, you know there must have been something there, anyway I’m totally fucked.” Kim ordered another double becoming aware things on the bar were duplicating themselves, how many had he had, he forgot.

“I hate to tell you blokes thiss but Johnny and I got the lass good women in Australia.” Andy had another beer.

"Bloody hell right, mate," Colin nodded, "So, Andy...Johnny... do they have any...sisters?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

“Sorry mate, Amanda is an only.”

“Yeah so is Lucy except for Jeff,” he grinned meaning that Jeff was her only family but he couldn’t trust these guys. “I didn’t mean that like it sounded. He’s her cousin and only family she has except for almost me, hic.”

 "Story of my life, Mates," Colin lamented, with a chuckle. "Bartender! Round of tequila’s, please sir!" Colin shouted out, then, when they were all handed out, he lifted his shotglass - sloshing a bit of its contents on the side.  "Ah well, here's to good women... may you keep the ones you have and may we find the ones we don't... or somethin' along those lines... ah bloody hell, boys... just drink up!" Colin slurred, downing his shot and slamming the empty glass on the table in front of him.

Andy tried to look down the bar, “Wha happen to Jimmy?”

March looked over his shoulder, “He seems to be engaged at the moment.”

“Heh he’s liplocked to that redhead.” Johnny had a look.

“I know her don’t I?” Andy looked at March.

“She works for you Andy, that’s Nell Walker.”

“Oh yeah, well Colin I thought I found you one but she’s givin’ mouth to mouth to Jimmy.” Andy backed into his barstool and sat on it. “I need another one of those, that went down too quick,”

"Got any more cute employees that are...single... and...um... female, Andy?" Colin asked, between hiccups.

"O'Brien, buddy, you are hopeless," Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't you think you'd better clean up the mess you've gotten yourself into with the last two women in your life, first?"

Colin thought about that for a moment, then shook his head, "Nope." Downing another shot, he looked bleary-eyed up at Alex, "You find me a girl like you found for Arthur there, Mate?"

"It's against my better judgement, but... hell, why not," Alex chuckled, getting up off his chair and striding off into a sea of bodies that looked nothing but a big blur to Colin. A moment later, he came striding back over with a cute little brunette in tow. "Colin, this is Ami...with an i. Ami, this is my friend Colin. Have fun."

“Did you check out her age and marital status?” Johnny asked Alex forming his words carefully.

“Marital status, thass gonna be me on Sunday, marital.” Andy knocked back the shot.

Stevo nudged Jeff and pointed to Andy who nearly fell from his stool as he knocked back his drink. "He's cute when he's three sheets isn't he."

"Yeah, not too sure cuz Lucy would agree though, mate. I'm not suggesting that we spoil his fun, but..."

"Okie dokie, we'll keep an eye on him and make sure he gets home safe. You wanna be designated driver?"

"Sure, I've only had one drink so far. I'll switch to juice, that should dilute the beer," Jeff smiled back.

“He y y Jeffy, guess wha, I’m getting’ married on Sunday, you gotta, gotta help me man make sure I say I do, cause ya know I wasn’t gonna get married til Lucy, you needa drink, hey bar get this man a beer cause he’s my cuz, he’s my mate, I luv ya Jeffy,” Andy gives Jeff a hug and nearly falls off the bar stool.

Jeff hugged Andy back, making sure he had a firm grip on him. He mouthed to the bloke behind the bar to change the beer for an orange juice and turned his attention back to Andy.  "No worries, Andy. It's gonna be a ripper of a day on Sunday and Lucy will make a beautiful bride. You just have ta promise me that you'll look after her...she's all I got left, man."

“You know Jeff I luv her, I will but hey you got me now too,” he giggled, “sorry ‘bout that.”

 "What time is the wedding tomorrow, Andy? Not too early, I hope," Alex chuckled, as he watched Arthur knock back a shot of whiskey someone had bought him and then sway on his barstool a bit.

“Iss after church, ya hafta come to church so after,” Andy took a breath, “after Alistair iss gonna marry. HEY MY SHOUT,” he called out loudly. “Cause I don get no more shouts.”

"Ta, Mate!" Colin shouted back, downing the last of his VB. Turning to Ami, he asked, "So, luv, you up for a wedding...with me...in the morning?"

She cocked an eyebrow at him, grinning.

"Oh...fuck me, what I meant was... would you like to go with me to my mate's wedding... as my date? He's gettin' married off in the mornin'. "

"Depends. You think you'll be able to get outta bed in the morning, luv?" she asked, teasingly.

"Ohh...getting out is the tricky part, isn't it? Getting me into the bed, you'll find, is much, much easier." he replied, a sloppy grin on his face.

"Well then, we'd better see about getting you into bed quickly then." she cooed.

"The limo awaits," Colin told her, nuzzling her neck, then turned and shouted out, "Oi! Mates... your chariotte is about to roll out so drink up before it turns back into a pumpkin!"

Johnny stepped away from the bar and turned his pint up, urrp, “Chariots await, hey Andy ya ready to roll?”

Andy was still hanging onto Jeff who was keeping him from falling in the floor, “I think…I..ooohhh,” he passed out in Jeff’s arms.
 
"Arthur, give you a lift?" Alex asked, knocking back the rest of his whiskey.

"Yeah...hic...um... please...hic..." he tried to stand but his legs went all jelly and he began to fall to the floor.

Alex chuckled, shaking his head as he managed to get Arthur back on his feet. "Well, this is going to be a fun ride home."

"You lads take the limo, me and Jeff will take care of young Andy here," Stevo called.

"Yeah, no worries, lads. We'll get him home and into bed. He's staying at my place tonight so I can make sure he's up in time for church," Jeff added with a wink.

Johnny passed by them and gave Andy a pat on the back and  weaving and lurching made his way to the door.

“Hey can I getta ride,” Kim trailed them out of the door.

March called out good night to the boys from the Glen and turned back to the bartender for just one more.

Jeff and Stevo smiled as the boys piled into the limo. They stood either side of Andy, making sure they had a firm grip on his limp body, and half carried, half dragged him round the back of the pub to the car park. After folding him into the back seat and managing to rig something up with the seat belts to keep him from rolling onto the floor, Jeff got out his cell phone as he opened the drivers door.

"Who ya calling, Jeff?" Stevo enquired.

"I'm giving Lucy a call. I'll bet she hasn't thought about the soon to be bride and groom not seeing each other the day before the wedding. She'll be expecting someone to toss him through the door and drag him up to the flat. I'll let her know I'm taking her home with me so she doesn't need to worry."

"You're a star, mate; no wonder Lucy loves you so much...almost as much as me," Stevo remarked, touching Jeff's cheek tenderly as he buckled up ready for the drive home.