On Yours – Jenny 22

[For back story go here: Story so far at 27 July 2020 and subsequent Jenny episodes.]

[Click on in-text links for relevant back story]

Jenny sat, socially distanced from Maddie at The Full Bean Cafe. It wasn’t her first choice, indeed it wouldn’t have been her choice at any point at all in the old world, but right now it was the only place where she thought she’d feel safe. She’d spotted it while biking past on her way to work. There was a wide range of places to eat and drink along the main drag, but this was the only one that had taken its business outside in a way that looked both relaxing and safe.

Not that Jenny was feeling safe. Infections were up, restrictions were coming (with the usual confusion and contradictions – leading to a long discussion over breakfast about the difference between meeting in school or work and meeting socially and whether young people were truly evil) and Jenny was beginning to feel an almost familiar claustrophobia coming over her despite the days being essentially free – or empty.

She was sat there with a latte and a biscuit and it all looked nice, but she wouldn't be eating what was in front of her. She felt herself looking over her friend’s shoulder and behind herself, as if she could see the infection lurking, grinning, ready to upset their day and ruin their conversation. Which it did anyway without a visual appearance.

“So, have you been keeping up with the bike?” asked Maddie, enthusiastic as ever.

“Not really,” said Jenny, perhaps too honestly for the current purpose. “I’ve been working a lot and the kids have needed me and, you know, what with one thing and another…”

“Yeah, but before everything went crazy,” smiled Maddie, waving bodily on her chair, “I’m guessing you were still going for it then, right? Heading out to the hills, conquering the mountains and breaking the speed limits?”

“I suppose…” said Jenny. “How many people are there in the club now? I mean regulars?”

“Not certain to be honest. Mailing list goes off to twenty or so. Ten of us went out the other weekend. Sixty, seventy miles, pretty up and down. We take it in turns to set the challenge and lead the route. Works out well because we’re all pretty much at the same level.”

“Can’t have ten now, can you?” noted Jenny.

Maddie looked blank. “Oh, oh I see, yeah maybe not… I – we’ll have to think about that. But since we’re riding and moving all the time it’s probably OK.”

“Just don’t ride too close to the person ahead of you,” suggested Jenny. “Are there still competitions and do you guys enter any of the nationals?”

“Not recently,” said Maddie. “We sort of decided not to do the competitive thing. That way everyone stays friends and everything. There were a few arguments last time we did anything like that. Took ages to sort out and no one went anywhere for like weeks. Someone lost a bike pump over it.”

Maddie stared off into the distance, remembering the time with regret. Even so Jenny was a bit disappointed. Her competitive spirit was something she was hoping she could satisfy here and there wouldn’t be much point if no one else was up for a challenge. Maybe they could race up the occasional hill, or a couple of them could do it if no one else was up for it.

“We’ll be going out this Sunday,” said Maddie. “Do you want to tag along? It’ll be before the whole six people thing kicks in so even there’s ten of us I don’t think we’ll get stopped.”

“Slight problem,” said Jenny. “I’ve just got a commuter bike. I mean it’ll go up hills and stuff but it’s not exactly built to keep up.”

“No problem, I’ve got one you can ride,” said Maddie, still enthusiastic, “Couple of years old admittedly, but still good. My daughter occasionally takes it out so it’s ready to go. It’s about your size.”

Jenny was about to take this up and then paused. “Are we allowed to do that?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, sharing bikes and stuff? Isn’t that – I mean if it’s been in your house or garage or whatever then is it safe for me to..?”

“It’s a bike,” said Maddie. “Not a car, not enclosed, not a – a bed or my front room. And no one’s sneezed over it.”

“Sorry,” said Jenny. “It’s just that Peter had it and…. well, I don’t want to do anything that might…”

“I get it,” said Maddie, “And it’s fine. I can soak it in TCP if it’ll make you feel better.”

Jenny admitted TCP wouldn’t be necessary, but a good wash and wipe down with some anti-bacterial would be appreciated. She’d bring her own, of course.

“It’ll be fine,” said Maddie, “Relax. Live a little.”

“Yes,” said Jenny. “That’s what I’m trying to do.”