Possible Clues:

• Father's one close pal
• It's good to have one just before Saturday, in short
• Sat start after this, so you'd like to have one
• Day before check mate
• Before that start of Sat, pal
• Devotee runs in to find well - wisher
• The last of the first of Friday is a Quaker
• Colleague right to interrupt nuisance
• Damon, to Pythias
• A puppy may be a kid's best ___