Something You Should Know

by Melissa Hill

  “Hold on a second.” Jenny got up from the couch and followed her. "Don’t think that I’m trying to get rid of you. Roan will move in only when you’re ready to move out, and not before, OK?” She reached out and touched Karen’s arm. “Please don’t be angry with me.”

  Karen looked at Jenny’s forlorn expression, and immediately felt guilty. “Come here, silly,” she said, engulfing her in a hug, “I can never be angry with the likes of you for very long anyway.”

  Chapter 20

  A few weeks later, Jenny visited Karen and Shane at their new house. They had finalised the sale just days earlier, and were moving in immediately; the previous owners having moved abroad before everything was signed and sealed. They had left instructions with the estate agents for a quick sale, and Karen and Shane had been the very first people to view it. Shane’s estate agent friend had come good for them. They had snapped it up immediately, albeit paying a little over their budget, but agreeing that it was worth it.

  The house was situated in Harold’s Cross, which suited both Karen and Shane with regard to commuting for work. It was a two-bedroom townhouse, but much ‘roomier’ than anything else they had seen, as Karen explained to Jenny shortly after viewing it.

  “It’s gorgeous, Karen,” Jenny said, looking around the living-room with genuine enthusiasm. A large bay window looked out onto a good-sized front garden, which wasn’t unusual for most Georgian houses in Dublin but very unusual for a smaller, modern property such as this one. The window gave the living-room definite character, despite the dreadful swirling wallpaper and heavily patterned carpet. She followed Karen upstairs to see the bedrooms. The master bedroom contained mirrored sliderobes, and Karen slid back one of the doors for Jenny’s perusal.

  “These things could have been designed just for me,” she said elatedly, pointing at the collection of shoes, and the piles of clothes bundled in the wardrobe. “I don’t have to keep everything all tidy and folded because they’ll never fall out and,” she promptly slid the door shut again, “the mess just disappears in an instant.”

  Jenny laughed, watching her friend’s expression in the mirrored door. Karen was deliriously happy with her new home, and rightly so.

  “You’re so right, you know – these things must have been designed for, or by, people exactly like you.”

  She had a quick look around the other bedroom, which judging by the Barney wallpaper, had been used by the previous owners as a children’s bedroom.

  “You’ll have to do some work on that one,” Jenny said, nodding at the dinosaur décor, “I know you have a bit of a thing for purple, but that’s a bit much.”

  Karen laughed. “I know. There’s no rush with it yet, though. We’ll probably just use it as a storage room at first, and then do it up as a guest room.”

  “Imagine you with a guest room?” Jenny mimicked her in a posh accent. “Hello, would you like to stay in my guest room? I can’t promise that you won’t have to climb over a mound of clothes and shoes, but you’ll get a bed at least.”

  She laughed, as Karen pretended to push her down the stairs.

  “What were you two skitting about?” Shane asked, as they joined him downstairs in the kitchen, where he was busy washing the insides of the cupboards.

  “I was just teasing your wife-to-be about her house-proudness, if there is such a word,” Jenny said, giggling as she sat down at the small kitchen table. The kitchen was small, but manageable, she thought, looking around. There were plenty of cupboards, and the floor had been tiled with unusual but attractive slate-coloured tiles. The kitchen units were old, but Shane had already undertaken to replace those as soon as he had the time. Jasmine-coloured tiles surrounded the worktop and the hob-plate cooker. Jenny loved it.

  “Tell that Williams fella to get his ass down here some Saturday. He promised me in the pub the other night that he’d give me a hand with laying the wooden floor.”

  Roan – laying a wooden floor? Jenny was astonished. But she was pleased that the two of them seemed to get on so well together, and it often helped diffuse the frosty atmosphere between Roan and Karen, especially when the group went out together.

  “We don’t yet have a washing machine, or tumble dryer so we’re going to Curry’s on Saturday, aren’t we, hon?” Karen said, winking at Jenny.

  Shane groaned, washing out the J-cloth he was using in the sink. “This is the bit I hate, Jenny. It’s all very well getting a new house, but I didn’t realise I’d be dragged around the place looking for stuff to fill it.”

  “That’s domestic life for you – you’re stuck with it now,” Jenny said, laughing as Karen handed her a freshly-made cup of coffee.

  “Am I what. Do you think there’s any way I might get out of it at this stage, I wonder?” He grinned mischievously at Karen, “Maybe the ink hasn’t dried on the mortgage contract yet.”

  Karen slapped him away with a J-cloth. “Less of the whinging please – you should be happy we have the place at all.”

  Jenny watched them both enviously. They were so happy, and so lucky. Imagine owning a house like this, and having everything to look forward to? She’d love it if she and Roan could go down that road eventually. They had only been living together for a few weeks, Karen having moved in with Shane, while they were waiting for the sale on the house to go through.

  So far it had been working really well. Jenny enjoyed coming home from work and having him there most of the time. Sometimes he even made dinner. The only snag so far, she reflected, was his unwillingness to share in the housework. Roan wouldn’t dream of picking up a sweeping brush or a cloth, not to mention cleaning the bathroom. Jenny had thought that Karen was untidy, but at least she did her share of the housework. With the long winter nights drawing in, the last thing Jenny wanted to do when she got home from Dun Laoghaire was housework. She would have much preferred to flop on the sofa, in front of the telly. But if she didn’t make the effort, their flat would end up like his old flat – an absolute disgrace.

  Then of course, Roan did work a lot harder than she did, and often for longer hours.

  Since the takeover of Euramax, by the American company, he had confessed to Jenny that he had never worked so hard in his life. The CEO of Evanston Technologies, an American company based in New York, had purchased Euramax to take advantage of the skilled staff and tax breaks offered by the IDA to foreign technology companies. The MD expected nothing but complete dedication from his staff, and if this meant coming in earlier in the morning, and staying on later in the evening to complete a project, so be it.

  She shouldn’t really expect him to do too much around the flat, Jenny mused. After all, he had enough on his plate. He couldn’t even come here with her tonight because he was working late.

  And then there was the problem with the boys. Apparently there was some dispute over the rent he owed at his last flat. Jenny wasn’t sure what it was all about, but until everything was sorted out, Roan wasn’t able to contribute to the rent. He would eventually of course, but for the moment, things were a little bit up in the air.

  “Have a biscuit, Jenny – there’s loads.” Shane pushed a plate of chocolate digestives towards her.

  “Thanks – tell me, now that you have the house sorted, have you had any more thoughts about the wedding?”

  “Nah. Plenty of time for that,” Karen said dismissing the thought with a wave of her hand. “We have so much to buy for the house this year, we can’t even think about getting married, unless we run off and do it in secret on the cheap. Give it another year or two, and we’ll see what happens.”

  Shane rolled his eyes and groaned. “The thoughts of it. All that money on one day. I don’t know how people do it.”

  “We know a girl who spent nearly twelve grand on her wedding,” Jenny said. “Remember Frances Kiely?”

  “That’s right.” Karen exclaimed. “She got married a few years ago, and invited practically the whole village to the wedding. The dress was like something out of High Society Bride
s – I believe that it cost nearly five grand alone. Lovely dress, shame about the bride,” she giggled.

  “Well, spending that much on the wedding didn’t do them any good. The marriage broke up a few months ago. I believe she’s back living at home with Mummy and Daddy Kiely.”

  “You’re kidding.” Karen’s eyes widened. “I never heard that. What happened?”

  Jenny shrugged. “Apparently the husband, who according to Mrs Kiely had been ‘a terribly successful financier’ was actually a dodgy dealer. He was caught by the Revenue for tax-dodging, and now he hasn’t a penny. Frances couldn’t take the scandal of it all, and scuttled back home to Mummy.”

  “Nice wife,” Shane said wryly. “What about ‘for richer or poorer’?”

  Jenny giggled. “Actually, Frances went around reminding anyone that was interested, that they had written their own vows for the service, and that that particular vow had been left out. She hadn’t promised anything.”

  “Talk about covering your ass, and keeping your options open,” Karen grinned.

  “Stop it, the two of you.” Shane put his hands over his ears. “Don’t be putting ideas in her head. She’s bad enough as it is, about the wedding. ‘Now don’t think I’ll be into all this honour and obey stuff,’ he said, mimicking Karen. “Would you believe she actually said that to me, on the night I proposed.”

  Karen laughed. “Come on, we’re not living in the Middle Ages. All that stuff freaks me out. It’s you, and not me that should be doing the obeying.” She ruffled his hair. “Now, get cracking on those cupboards, so we can at least make this kitchen liveable.”

  Shane raised his hand to his forehead in mock salute. “Yes, sir – right away, sir. See what I have to put up with? And we’re only here a few days. What’ll she be like in a few years’ time?”

  “You’re so lucky.” Jenny said later, as she got her coat. “Shane is such a pet.”

  Karen smiled. “I suppose I am. But, I could have murdered you when you brought up the wedding. It’s been a bit of a bone of contention between us lately.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, Shane is like yourself, he thinks that now we’ve got the house, we should be making plans for the wedding, but I want to put it off for a few more years.”

  “But why? Why get engaged if you don’t want to get married?”

  “I do want to get married, but not just yet. The mortgage repayments are very high and I want to try for a promotion at Acorn. I want us to be financially comfortable, and not have to give up our social lives, in order to save for a wedding. There are a few things to do with the house, and I just don’t think we’re ready yet.”

  “I suppose you got the house 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 out. But I don’t see why it has to be that way. If we start saving for the wedding – now on top of everything else – Jen, you’ll probably never see us out again. We’re much too young for a life of cosy domesticity. Anyway we’re as good as married now – what’s the difference?”

  Jenny shook her head. “Maybe, but you have to tell him how you really feel. If you keep putting off the wedding, Shane’s going to think you’re having second thoughts about it.”

  “I know, I know, I just don’t know how to broach the subject just yet. I’ll wait until we’re settled here, and then I’ll say something.”

  “You should. It’s not fair to Shane otherwise.”

  “I promise I will. Just don’t say any more about the wedding in front of him, OK?”

  Jenny smiled and nodded. “Look, I’d better go. I’ll talk to you during the week.”

  As she walked down Kenilworth Road towards Rathmines, Jenny couldn’t help thinking about what Karen had just told her. She would love to be in Karen’s position now – a gorgeous new house, an obviously devoted fiancé and a romantic wedding to plan.

  Still, she supposed she wasn’t doing too badly. She had a gorgeous boyfriend, who was madly in love with her, and now they were living together. Who knows what might happen next?

  Jenny quickened her pace and hummed to herself as she walked towards home.

  Barry Ferguson, Manager of Alliance Trust Dun Laoghaire studied the sheet in front of him for a few moments, and then slid it back across the desk to Marion.

  “Whom do you think we should put forward?” he asked her.

  “Well, Brendan and Robyn are here longer than the rest of our bank assistants, so in terms of seniority they should be next in line for promotion to Senior Bank Official.” the Branch Administrator said.

  “But you’re not so sure?” Barry said, studying her expression.

  Marion shook her head. “Brendan is fine, he’s a good worker but, as you know yourself, Robyn is more than a little unreliable. She’s missed a lot of days over the last few years, and has put us on the spot a few times in trying to get cover for her absences. I really don’t think that promoting her will benefit anyone. This is just a job for her, and I’m certain that she doesn’t have aspirations for a real career with this bank.”

  “Then who else? All the other bank officials came in after the last recruitment drive. We have the chance to put two people forward for promotion, Marion, and we have to take it. This branch has too many bank officials, and not enough seniors.”

  “I know. And with Olivia leaving at the beginning of next year, we’ll only have three SBO’s left on the staff.”

  “So what do you recommend?”

  Marion sat back in her chair and crossed her legs. She didn’t know what Barry was going to make of this, but she might as well just say it.

  “I’ve spoken to Brendan, and he doesn’t have a problem with it. He’s happy enough on the cashier’s desk, and he doesn’t want the responsibility. I suggest that we put Jenny Hamilton forward for the second SBO position here.”

  “Jenny? But she’s only in the door.”

  “I know that, Barry, but her work rate is excellent. She has plenty of experience, what with working in Kilkenny, and then at the bank in Australia. We put her on the Foreign Exchange desk not long after she started, and I can honestly say that she’s one of the most efficient cashiers I’ve ever come across. Her paperwork is always perfect, I don’t think she’s ever had a single cash difference, and she’s excellent at clearing the queues – not to mention all the help she gives the others.”

  “I’d noticed that from the reports, alright. And her pension and insurance referrals have put us top of the District in Sales. But she’s hardly ready for promotion, Marion.”

  Marion shrugged her shoulders. “She knows most of the business customers by name and face, from being up here working with Olivia. The customers know and like her. She’s extremely diligent, Barry. I can’t think of anyone else I’d prefer to put forward to be honest.”

  Barry stroked his chin and pondered the thought. “And you’re sure Brendan doesn’t mind?”

  “Not at all. He thinks it’s a great idea.”

  “Good. I like Brendan and I wouldn’t like him to think he was being passed over.”

  “He’s happy enough to go along the present salary scale. He’s just a young fellow, Barry – he works all week to go out at the weekends. He’s still living at home and doesn’t want or need the hassle, as he put it himself.”

  He nodded in agreement. “Jenny it is then. Have you mentioned anything to her?”

  “I wanted to see what you thought first.”

  “It’s fine by me. It’s a little unusual, though. She hasn’t even been here a year.”

  “But she’s been with the bank for longer than that, Barry. Look, the District office is giving us the option to promote. If they’re offering us the chance, then why not take it?” She picked up her pen and made some notes. “I’ll be sorry to lose Olivia though, I was hoping to train her in on the Lending soon. The bank’s salary just can’t compete wi
th these IT companies any more.”

  “Not to worry, we’ll sort something out,” Barry said, in a tone that Marion knew meant that she’d have to sort something out.

  Being the branch administrator, she was responsible for the staff and the day-to-day operation of the bank. In fact, she did most of the managing. Barry never had to worry about who might cover the Foreign Exchange desk in the middle of July, when the usual cashier was out sick, or the Customer Services desk when the new student year began, and every second customer wanted a new student account. It wasn’t easy.

  The prospect of promotion for two of her bank assistants would ease a number of headaches for Marion. Promotion brought responsibility, and generally bank assistants could not fill Lending or Accounting roles in the bank. The more SBO’s on the branch staff, the fewer problems for Marion.

  Barry looked at his watch, a sure signal to Marion that the meeting was over. “Right, I’ll leave it in your very capable hands. Have a chat to Jenny about it and see what she says. Stress how important it is that she grab this chance with both hands.” He stood up. “I won’t be back in the office this afternoon – I’ve a meeting with Jimmy Fitz from FitzGerald Press. If anything important comes up refer it to Mick, will you?”

  “Of course,” Marion picked up her folder. “Enjoy your game,” she said with a smile, before closing the door behind her.

  Barry grinned to himself, as he put on his overcoat. You couldn’t put much past that Marion. She knew damn well that he was meeting Jimmy FitzGerald on the golf course. Still, she was a good sort, and he’d never forget that time she covered for him. He had gone AWOL on the session the weekend after Wexford won the All Ireland Final, and the District Manager had paid a surprise visit to the branch the following Monday morning.

  It wasn’t all fun and games on the golf course like Marion thought, though. Some fellas would only open up over a round or two. You couldn’t hammer out anything with the likes of Jimmy Fitz in the office. Anyway, the bit of fresh air would do him good, away from all the hassle of being Manager in a busy spot like Dun Laoghaire. Barry wished sometimes that he had ended up in one of those quiet branches down the country. Now that would have been an easy life.