Anne and Brenda Jenkins were at the pub having a drink. Anne looked pretty good for her age, and you'd have to look carefully to tell the difference between her and her daughter. She occasionally looked around for anyone she might recognize.
Brenda, seeing her mother’s roving eyes settle on a guy, laughingly said, “you don’t have to smile at him, it’ll only give him the wrong idea.”
“Don’t worry dear, I am not interested in him, I just thought he looks familiar. I have a new boyfriend now, and I’m thinking of asking him to move in with us as a lodger provided you agree.” She looked at her daughter for a reaction.
"Oh, mum! Why do you want to do that? Bringing them home can lead to complications. Besides, I don’t want some guy to start bossing us around the house. I should have thought you had enough of that in the past!”
“This is different. We could use a man about the house. The place is too big for the two of us and there are things that need looking into. Simple things, like wall plugs, leaking taps, and what have you. Things that a man would be useful for. Jack is very polite, and he does everything I tell him. Wait till you meet him, I’m sure you’ll like him.”
“Well, it’s your decision - as long as he keeps out of my affairs, I don’t really mind,” Brenda said and they changed the subject.
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Anne was right, her daughter got on well with Jack. He soon made himself at home. He liked to do odd jobs around the house and as a bonus, he was also a good cook. You’d see him with his apron organizing everything, and laying out the table for mother and daughter. He liked the arrangement. All was well and everyone was content. Jack was an easy-going guy and mother regarded him as her poodle. Meantime, her daughter was preoccupied with exams and she would spend her time with friends who’d come to work together. Jack went out with his old friends, but he was always available and ready to oblige.
One morning, after Anne had cleared up in the kitchen, she heard the postman put some letters through the letter box. She picked up the letters and looked at them absentmindedly. There was one addressed to
B. Jenkins and she opened it. There was a photograph inside. She pulled it out and looked at it. She could see her daughter and Jack drinking, surrounded by a group of young people. At first she thought nothing of it, and then... then she looked at the photo more carefully.
"They never told me that they drink together! So that’s what he does behind my back! And she must have been encouraging him the whole time pretending not to care. Had somebody sent her the photo to warn her?"
She looked again at the envelope and realized she had opened her daughter’s letter. "Better find out what it’s all about, there may be an innocent explanation although I very much doubt it; I have to find out how far this has gone before I overreact." Many things went through her head and she finally devised a plan that would help clarify the situation. Later that night, she told Jack that next day she was going to see her sister and would be coming back late.
“No problem,” said Jack, “I’ll have something to eat at the pub with my pals and I’ll make some sandwiches for Brenda.”
Next day, Anne got into her car and drove to her sister’s who was happy to see her. "Well," said her sister, "what a coincidence because Fred is away and you can stay the night here, keep me company.”
“I can’t stay Claire, I just popped over to say hello; will have to get back for Brenda who is working hard for her exams.”
She left her sister after staying for some tea and drove back home early in the evening, and as a precaution, she used the back door to get in. “I can hear voices from upstairs, I wonder who Brenda is talking to", she said to herself. She was soon to find out as she climbed the stairs. The door to her daughter's room was partly open, but the light was off. She stood there for a while looking at the two figures in a tight embrace. They were so busy that they heard nothing, even when she coughed. “That will do!” she shouted. “How long must I stand here watching you two?”
Brenda was not surprised to see her mother and took her time straightening up her clothes. “What are you doing here mum? I though you said you’d be going to Aunt Claire’s.”
“Well, I’m back early as you can see and just as well. As for him he can get out of my house. To think I trusted him and took him in.”
"Sorry Mrs Jenkins, I don’t know what you’re talking about” whispered the boy. I came to give Brenda a hand with her work and we were only kissing that’s all.”
Anne couldn't believe her ears - she was shocked. Switching the light on, she realized her mistake when she saw him. “Just get out!” She shouted at him. The boy gathered his things and slipped past her.
When Brenda straightened up her clothes she asked her mother, “what is really the matter mum, you look mad – we weren’t doing anything that serious, just kissing.
“I’m sorry Brenda, I don’t know what came over me, it’s this picture. I opened your letter by mistake and saw you and Jack… A terrible mistake by an old jealous woman.
“Oh mum, you silly old goose! That picture was nothing. I saw Jack at the pub and I invited him over; I was with friends. One of them took the picture and had it sent on to me.
