“We don’t yet have a washing machine or tumble dryer so we’re going to the shops on Saturday, aren’t we, hon?” Karen said, winking.
Shane groaned, washing out the J-cloth he was using in the sink. “It’s all very well getting a house, but I didn’t realise I’d be dragged around the country looking for stuff to fill it.”
Jenny watched them both enviously. They were sohappy and incredibly lucky to be able to afford a lovely house like this, and the rest of their lives to look forward to.
She’d love it if she and Roan could go down that road eventually. But, baby steps.
Much to her delight, he’d moved into her flat following Karen’s absence, and so far it was working well. Jenny enjoyed coming home from work and having him there to greet her. Sometimes he even made dinner.
The only snag was his unwillingness to partake in housework. Roan wouldn’t dream of picking up a sweeping brush or a cloth, to say nothing of cleaning the bathroom. Karen might have been a slob, but at least she did her share. With the longer nights drawing in, the last thing Jenny wanted when she got home from work was domestic drudgery. But if she didn’t make the effort, their flat might well end up like his old place.
Then again, as he pointed out, he did work a lot harder than she did, and for longer hours. An American tech company had since purchased his employer, and the new MD expected nothing but complete dedication from staff. So she shouldn’t really expect Roan to slave away at home too. He had enough on his plate and couldn’t come visit here tonight because he was working late again.
And then there was the ongoing problem with Kevin and his ex-housemates. There had been some dispute over rent outstanding at his previous place. Jenny wasn’t sure what it was all about but until everything was sorted, Roan couldn’t contribute any rent just yet. Hewould eventually he assured her, but for the moment, things were a bit ‘up in the air’.
“You’re so lucky,” she said to Karen, as she went to leave. “Shane is such a pet.”
Her friend smiled. “He is. But I could have murdered you earlier when you mentioned something about setting a date. That’s been a bone of contention, to be honest.”
Jenny frowned. “How so?”
“Well, like yourself, Shane thinks that now we’ve got the house sorted, we should start making plans for the wedding, but I want to put it off for a while”
“But why get engaged if you don’t want to get married?”
“Idowant to get married, but not just yet. The mortgage repayments are higher than we’d like, so I want to try for a promotion. I’d prefer us to be more financially comfortable before considering another big outlay. Plus there are a few jobs to do with the house so I just don’t think we’re ready.”
“I suppose you got the house sorted sooner than you expected,” Jenny mused, “but does Shane know how you feel?”
“We’ve talked about it, and he sees no reason to wait. He reckons that things are tight for everyone starting in life. But I don’t see why it has to be that way, so the wedding can wait. What harm?”
As she walked home, Jenny couldn’t help but think how she would giveanythingto be in Karen’s position – aproud homeowner with a devoted fiancé and a wedding to plan.
Still, she supposed she wasn’t doing too badly all the same. She had a gorgeous boyfriend who was madly in love with her, and they’d just moved in together.
Surely the rest was just around the corner.
24
“Guess what?” Tessa squealed down the phone line. “Gerry proposed. We’re getting married!”
Jenny gasped. “Wow. When did this all come about?”
“He just popped the question out of the blue. We went out to dinner at the weekend and he got down on one knee and everything.”
“Fantastic. What’s your ring like? Did Gerry choose it himself?”
“He wouldn’t dare. No, we’re going into town to pick it out together soon, so I suppose it’s notentirelyofficial just yet,” she giggled. “Anyway, we’re all getting together on Friday night to celebrate. I’ve booked a place in the city for food, and then a few drinks after. Will you come?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Jenny said warmly. “Tell Gerry I said congratulations, won’t you? I can’t wait to see the ring.”
“Me neither!” Tessa laughed, before saying goodbye.
Another one.
EveryoneJenny knew seemed to be settling down these days. Olivia from work had recently announced her engagement; her boyfriend having proposed on holiday. And one of her old friends from home was getting married soon too.
Was there something in the air?
