Chapter One
Jessie Coles loved athletics. The two things in the world she most wanted was to win an Olympic gold medal and to be a bridesmaid. When her athletics teacher, Debs, asked her to be a bridesmaid at her wedding Jessie was thrilled.
âI canât give you an Olympic gold medal but I can make you a bridesmaid,â said Debs with a smile.
âThereâs one big condition,â added Jack the groom. âWeâre all running to the registry office!â
Jessie laughed. She thought Debs and Jack were teasing.
âRunning to a wedding? That would be funny!â
âWeâre serious,â said Debs. âOn Saturday April 14>th Jack and I want to do three things. One, get married. Two, run in the local half marathon and three, raise money for the childrenâs new hospital.â
Jessie stared at Jack and Debs.
âHow are you going to do all of those things in one dayâ she gasped.
âWeâre having a sponsored wedding run!â laughed Jack.
âWe plan to run to the registry office,â Debs explained. âWeâll ask our guests to sponsor us and all the money we make will go to the childrenâs new hospital!â
Jessie couldnât believe her ears. She desperately wanted to be a bridesmaid and wear a floaty silk dress with satin slippers and flowers in her hair. She couldnât run a half marathon in fancy, frilly clothes!
âWhat will you wear?â she asked.
âMy running kit of course,â laughed Debs.
âWhat will I wear?â Jessie added nervously.
âThe same, running kit and trainers,â Debs replied. When she saw Jessieâs disappointed expression she quickly added. âWeâll change into wedding clothes after the run â promise!â
Jessie smiled with relief. âYES!â she cried excitedly. âIâd love to be your sporty bridesmaid!â
The wedding arrangements were very complicated. First, they had to check the exact route of the half marathon run, particularly where it started and where it finished. Debs was thrilled when she found out that it ended in the town centre, quite close to the registry office.
âThatâs perfect!â she cried. âWe could leave our wedding clothes at the registry office and change there.â
âWeâd better check that with the registrar,â said Jack.
Luckily the registrar was a big supporter of the childrenâs new hospital and volunteered to give up his own room for the bridal party to change in. He also became their first official sponsor.
âIâll sponsor you a pound for every mile you run,â he said.
âThatâll be thirteen pounds if we finish the course,â gasped Jessie,
The registrar smiled.
âWorth every penny. Can I have a sponsor form?â
âWe havenât got any yet,â Debs told him.
âWell, now youâve fixed the date and booked the wedding I think you should sort out whoâs going to collect the sponsor money,â joked the registrar.
Debs turned to Jessie and laughed. âI think that will have to be my sporty bridesmaid!â
Chapter Two
Just as Jessie started thinking about bridesmaidsâ dresses Debs started worrying about her trainers!
âTheyâve got to fit well and not rub against my heels. I donât want to be limping up the aisle with blisters on my feet!â she said to Jessie, as she and Jack examined nearly every pair of trainers in the sports shop.
âThat goes for you too, Jessie,â added Jack. âWe canât have you hobbling after Debs! Iâm going to buy you the best pair of running shoes in the shop!â
Jessie was thrilled to have a pair of flashy mauve and white trainers. They made her feel like she was running on air! Jack and Debs bought matching running outfits, pure white silky shorts and vests, and a new mauve and white kit for Jessie. As they queued in the sports shop to pay their bill Jessie asked the question that had been worrying her for days.
âWhat if I canât run the whole course?â
âThatâs not a problem, we donât expect you to.â said Debs.
âWho will look after me if I stop before the end of the run?â she asked.
âYour mum and dad will be following the race in your camper van. You can hop in with them if youâre tired. Iâve told them to bring lots of water for you to drink. We certainly donât want you dehydrated for the wedding.â
Jessie suddenly had a brilliant idea. âYou know, I could get changed in the camper van. Itâs got everything, even a shower!â
âThatâs a very good idea,â said Debs. âThen you can drive in style to the registry office.â
âI wish I could do the whole half marathon with you two,â said Jessie wistfully.
âNo way!â said Jack firmly. âWe donât want our sporty bridesmaid exhausted before the wedding takes place.â
Mrs Coles came to help Debs and Jessie choose their wedding dresses.
âI donât want anything fussy,â said Debs firmly. âIâll be hot after the run so I want something light and easy to slip into.â
âWell youâve a big choice here,â said Mum, as they stood staring at the rails of wedding dresses in the bridal department of the local store.