For Better or – Jenny 40

[For back story go here: Story so far at 30 Nov 2020 and this one.]

[For other back story click in-links]

At the moment of course nothing could happen but she understood that. They wouldn’t consider doing anything in the first half of the year, that was fine, but maybe as things became clearer, freer… more vaccinated, maybe they could wait until summer or autumn. Of course there would be a baby by then and Peter would have whatever qualifications his teachers thought he deserved and who knew where they’d be living? What was she thinking? Peter would still be living at home, Jude elsewhere with the baby and Peter going between. They’d never afford their own place, married or not. But if they were going to be married should she and Izzy start saving so they could set them up somewhere? Could they convert the attic into a flat for them? Should they start saving for the wedding itself? Or maybe Izzy could embezzle some more funds for the purpose.

And then she heard Izzy yelling down the phone or at her computer screen at someone at work in their bedroom. She wasn’t having any of whatever it was they were accusing her of, she said. She had saved the company potentially thousands and definitely hundreds and they needed to trust her on this one just as she had trusted her own gut when she did it.

There had been no further legal action but the company was definitely not very keen to keep their possibly wayward financial director. There had definitely been something going on but no one was completely certain what it was or why. They could ask an independent auditor to come and give a view but as yet this was a step they had not taken. It would cost more money and open more cans of worms. Jenny’s main concern was that ultimately it was Izzy who knew what had happened and only Izzy who had the knowledge required to decipher what had happened. This was the perfect protection.

Location, then. Not a church, obviously. Or was that obvious? Churches were nice places and generally less insistent on the whole religion thing – or at least some of them were. But then there was no point in doing it in a church unless it really meant something and she was certain it would mean nothing to Peter. He’d been christened in one but that was it. 

So, what about a fancy restaurant? A place where they could wine and dine straight after the ceremony with no fuss or bother. No huge transport bill, no hanging around for everyone to get sorted and get somewhere else. Everyone turns up at a certain time, food, refreshments, drinks, wedding, all good.

“It is not good!” screamed Izzy from upstairs. There was movement from one of the bedrooms and Jenny leapt off the sofa and up the stairs to head off the probable conflict she sensed was about to happen.

Sure enough Helen was on the landing.

“Don’t interrupt!” said Jenny, keeping her voice low but insistent.

“I’m trying to concentrate,” Helen said equally hushed. “I’m on a group video call and everyone can hear her!”

There were benefits of having a fee-paying school, thought Jenny – excellent online schooling. Unfortunately this also had a downside.

“I’ll do something,” said Jenny. “Honestly I’ll send her a message and –“

“I can send her a message,” said Helen. “I can send her one right now.”

“Leave that to me," said Jenny, calming herself down. “You get back to work and we’ll see if she can…”

“Put a sock in it,” said Helen, texting the phrase precisely.

Jenny put a hand out as if to stop the text from flying through the ether but she was too late.

“Right. Right,” said Jenny, hoping that would be enough.

Helen went back to her room, scowling and trailing a black cloud. Jenny hesitated at the door but listening she thought the call had probably ended. She wouldn’t interrupt now, she’d let everything die down a littler bit and maybe discuss it later. When there was a good opportunity. Not that she expected there would be a ‘good’ opportunity.

Back on the sofa, quietness descending gradually Jenny thought again about the wedding. What they needed, she thought, was a theme – something that would mean something to the special couple. The challenge would be to find what that might be. Sure Peter liked his screens but that wouldn’t get them far, unless they dressed up as the video heroes they played. But maybe there was something else they could latch on to.

Jenny decided this would be the ideal opportunity to make contact with Jude and get to know her better. It was, and would continue to be a bit of a challenge to do this, but it was worth a go whatever. And with little other demands at the moment she was sure she could make her acquaintance without be too full on at her future daughter in law.