Jean had had it…There had been just too many things to do…

“Chris is on heat again,” said Rae.

“Tell me about it,” Jean checked the clock,” Four thirty five! Jarrod said five thirty. I’ll never get out the door at this rate. And the traffic…!” She could hear Chris’s voice along the corridor. He burst into her office holding a bulging file and the latest draft for the Clensdales Brothers Account. Papers spewed across Jean’s desk as the folder slipped from his grasp.

“Damn, sorry about that,” he said breathlessly, “ but I have numbered the pages this time.” At least that was something!

Jean said, “ Let’s get them in order and I can start it first thing Monday.”

“Come on Jean let’s go,” said Rae. Chris watched Jean and Raewyn crossing the car park and sighed. Would he ever have the courage?

Walking up the drive to Sylvia’s party, Jarrod, his arm around Jean’s waist, a Steinie in the other hand, whooped, “Christian Cullen way to go!”

Dean picked up with, “ Shame Spencer’s out.”

“Oh hey the lads. “ Jarrod pushed over to them then turned back to Jean,” Just going to see Lance.”

‘You saw him this morning at the game’ she thought, saw Sylvia and pretended it didn’t bother her.

“ Hi Syl, Lisa says you’ve got your dress for Sally’s wedding. Let’s see. “ As the girls gathered in Sylvia’s room Hannah, Siri and the gang came in.

“Let’s have a look Sylvia. Oh it’s beautiful.”

“When’s the wedding again?”

“Jean, is Jarrod the one with the blonde crop top?”

“Yes, why ?”

“Hunky, that’s why. “

“Oh,” Jean said.

Siri whispered, “ Wonder what’s up with Jean?” Later, Sylvia and Lisa grabbed Jean, and, shouting over the music, “Hey, what’s up sadness?”

“What’dya mean?”

“In the bedroom. You didn’t seem too happy. Everything ok with Jarrod.”

“Oh yes, everything’s fine.” Someone changed the music to Bryan Adams. Sylvia coaxed her man onto the floor.

“Come on Hon, let’s dance.” Others joined in. Please Forgive Me is ideal for getting close and Jean wanted to. Looking back at Jarrod she saw he was “kinda busy” talking to a blonde ponytail in tight jeans. Jean pushed in.

“Jarrod let’s dance, come on. “

“Ah, yea , ummmm..okay.” Looking round at Lance, Dean and the others he smiled.

Chris, sitting at home, had settled down to a crumbed Lemon Sole in white wine, a fresh lettuce salad, and a bottle of Clensdale’s Chablis. Perfect, delicious. Another exquisite meal. Alone. Again. Now it was 11.37pm and Russell hadn’t rung. “Thought he was going to ring at dinner time.’ Chris had rung. Left a message after the beep. Hadn’t heard. So he watched “Under Suspicion” A Liam Neeson film. He wondered what Jean was doing. Such a vibrant woman. Impressive, always well groomed. “Wish I wasn”t so nervous around her.’