Relax, dont worry, have a home brew :beerbang:
Mate, pale ale is basically a name, and can cary from pale to amber/brown. The yeast will start to work its magic over the first 24hrs, just make sure ya sanitise well when making a brew, screw the lid on, and all will be honky dory. Even if the airlock doesnt bubble, it could still be fermenting, just have a peek through the top of the lid, and if there are bubbles on top of the beer, or a ring of scum forming around the inside of the fermenter, or even condensation on the inside of the lid, then it is fermenting. Never judge if yer beer is fermenting just by the airlock. I have about 7 fermenter, and only 2 or 3 have airlocks that work.
Oh yeah, read that first sentence again.
All the best, and have some patience! Your beer should be ready in about a week. Plenty of time for a newbie to start going through all the forums, and reading the "airlocked" threads. they are airlocked for a reason - spend a few hours each night reading them, and by the time your beer is ready to bottle, you will probably know more about brewing than I know.
Trent