Taking Charge

by Bridgitte Lesley

  “Yes I am.” Joy giggled. Jordan grinned and looked at Joy.

  “Close your eyes. Count sheep.” Joy closed her eyes. It was quiet for a long time.

  “Sweetheart.”

  “Shhhh.”

  “Nine hundred and. Oh Jordan you made me lose count!” Jordan grinned.

  “Hot pink or deep purple.”

  “Hot pink. Night.” Jordan smiled.

  “Night.”

  CHAPTER 21

  Joy smiled as she hopped out of bed. Jordan walked through with their coffee. They both sat on the edge of the bed. Jordan wore his shorts and Joy had the sheet draped over her body.

  “I need to buy a pair of pajamas.” Jordan smiled.

  “But only for when you walk around.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  “I think I am hungry.”

  “Yes but just feed us. Scrambled eggs.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  “I do rather well in the morning.” They both grinned as they headed to the kitchen. Joy got their scrambled eggs ready and they ate them on a slice of bread. Jordan smiled.

  “Is that sheet ever going back to the bed?” Joy smiled.

  “It is my Grecian robe. Not a sheet.” Joy got up and kissed Jordan.

  “Dressing.” They both walked to the bedroom and got dressed. Jordan smiled as they stood and made the bed.

  “Where is the sheet?”

  “Coming.” Joy held the corners and shook the sheet. Jordan grinned.

  “Thank you. If I want a breeze I will open the window.” Joy stood and looked at Jordan and shook her head. He took the duvet and shook it. Joy looked at Jordan and he grinned.

  “Not even one hair is out of place.”

  “Why do we have that sheet? We don’t really need it.” Jordan smiled.

  “Neaten your side.” Joy ran her hand on her side of her bed and put a deep dent in his side.

  “Professor!” Joy giggled and ran down the passage. Jordan grinned.

  “I will get you for that. Just you wait!”

  Joy smiled as they ran down the stairs. Jordan reversed her vehicle out and Joy walked to the van. He hugged Joy and she hopped in the van. She kissed him and drove off. Jordan smiled as he walked inside. He opened up and went to his office. He ordered the table and lollipop chairs in the shocking pink color. Jordan almost winced at the price. He shook his head and smiled. No wonder they were so comfortable. He smiled as he heard everyone walking in and greeting. He walked through and smiled. They were always jovial. Sarah grinned.

  “So now our Joy is living here.” Jordan nodded.

  “She is.” Craig grinned.

  “Hang on a sec. Hang on just a sec! Remember that day. When she was going on about the nonexistent breakfast. Oh you are far too clever!” Sarah grinned.

  “She has been living here forever and ever Craig.” Craig grinned and shook his head.

  “What is for supper tonight?” Jordan shook his head.

  “We just got past breakfast.” Craig grinned.

  “I really fancied those kebabs you know.” Jordan chuckled and shook his head. Sarah shook her head.

  “Step in to my parlor I will make you a toasted sandwich.” Jordan smiled as he walked to his office.

  He picked up the phone as it rang.

  “Congratulations!” Jordan chuckled.

  “Well thank you Michael.”

  “Now. For some unknown reason I am ordering a photocopier. Color. I guess we need one of those monster machines with staples.” Jordan chuckled.

  “I think that would be a good idea.”

  “How did that go down?”

  “Excellent! Wait until they see their ads in color.” Michael chuckled.

  “Okay. Delivery address. The road name?” Jordan gave all the details.

  “Right. Should arrive by Thursday.”

  “Hell! That means we are going in color!” Michael chuckled.

  “It is going to look very classy.”

  “Oh I know. But all print in black. Photographs and pictures in color. Otherwise.”

  “Far too busy. That sounds good. Okay I have ordered your monster. Let me know when it arrives. Say hi to the Prof.” Jordan chuckled.

  “Will do.” He put down the phone and smiled. His phone didn’t stop ringing. Everyone in the family phoned him to wish them congratulations.

  Jordan started doing the advertisements and put all the money in the tin. Douglas walked through to his office and handed him the monies for eight little adverts. He grinned.

  “It is working. Almost sold out on the one item. I had to re order.” Jordan chuckled.

  “Can you keep a deep dark secret?” Douglas nodded.

  “We might be in color next week.” Douglas stared at Jordan.

  “Color?” Jordan nodded. Douglas grinned.

  “The whole newsletter?” Jordan nodded.

  “Pictures and photographs.” Douglas shook his head and smiled.

  “Awesome!” He walked out smiling. Jordan got busy with the rest of the advertisements. He enjoyed being creative. The money tin was filling up nicely.

  Bruce walked in to Jordan’s office.

  “This is going to sound crazy. But I would like to put an ad in your newspaper.” Jordan smiled and nodded.

  “And what are you advertising?”

  “Lost and found. A bunch of keys. And a hub cap.” Jordan roared with laughter. Bruce grinned.

  “Someone handed it in.” Bruce shook as he laughed. He looked at Jordan.

  “Okay. I never realized how funny that sounds.” Jordan smiled.

  “I will put something together. Anything else?”

  “Nothing that I can think of.” Jordan smiled.

  “I will send Frank over to take photographs.” Bruce nodded as he handed the money over.

  “That is two adverts.” Jordan smiled and nodded. Bruce walked out and smiled.

  Jordan walked in to the pub.

  “Frank.” Frank grinned.

  “Where and who or what?” Jordan smiled.

  “Bruce has two items that he needs photographed.” Frank grinned and headed to the police station. He was back in half an hour. Frank grinned.

  “A hub cap! With a ding.” Jordan roared with laughter.

  “And is it a nice photograph?” Frank grinned.

  “Beautiful. As beautiful as a hubcap can be. Now the keys. The keys is two keys which are identical. On a key ring. Oh they had to dangle it on a piece of cotton because they do not want their fingers photographed. Someone might just recognize that finger you know!” Jordan grinned and shook his head.

  “Lost and found.” Frank grinned.

  “The keys I can understand. But there might be many takers for the hub cap.” Craig roared with laughter and shook his head.

  It was Monday. The newsletters stood ready in the assembly hall. Joy stood on the stage. She looked down as Jane started walking to the stage carrying a huge bouquet of flowers. Joy smiled as she walked up the stairs. Joy stepped to one side. Jane smiled.

  “Congratulations on your engagement Miss Sheridan. These are from the pupils.” Joy smiled and took the flowers. Jane smiled as she kissed her on the cheek. Joy stood and looked at everyone.

  “I don’t know what to say! Thank you!” Everyone stood up and clapped. Joy smiled and looked at everyone.

  “Gosh you threw me with a curve ball!” There was a roar of laughter. Joy smiled.

  “As from today you will have a newsletter in color. And there will be a feature introducing our Prefects. The newsletter is jam packed this week. I hope you are enjoying!” There was a loud clap.

  Joy walked to the front of the stage.

  “From this week you will start having tests. Continuous. Until we get to our first set of exams. We are going to monitor the results. I am looking forward to those. I am looking forward to the day that you all walk up here and collect your sneakers. And I can’t wait!” The pupils cheered.

  “This week we have our Drum Majorette trials. We have the band p
ractice. There is so much going on. Ladies and gents. Have a super week!” The hymn started and the pupils started walking out as normal. Joy picked up her flowers and smiled. She looked down at the newsletter and gasped. Joy waited and walked down the stairs. She shook hands with the parents as normal and headed to her office.

  “Penny Rose! You are very naughty!” Penny grinned.

  “Just the first page. We modified it a teeny weeny bit.” Joy grinned.

  “That man of mine. He replaced the first page.”

  “But it is a beautiful photograph of your ring. Your hands. Together.” Joy smiled and looked at the photograph.

  “It is.” Penny smiled and nodded.

  Joy stared as a delivery man walked through with a few bouquets of flowers. Joy signed for the flowers and sighed.

  “Oh I love this town.” Penny smiled and looked at the flowers.

  “Oh you are so spoilt!” Joy chuckled.

  “Only because you are so naughty!” Penny giggled as Joy walked to her office. The flowers were in vases in the reception area.

  Jordan grinned as he got his copy of the newsletter delivered by the postman. Frank chuckled.

  “How did you get that right? Color?” Jordan grinned.

  “Tanya and Thomas hijacked the machine one night.” Frank grinned.

  “Oh wow! Look at those ads!” Jordan nodded and smiled.

  “Now we can see properly.” He turned back to the page featuring Barry Gibb and Jane Smith.

  “You know. These kids can be so proud. What lovely photographs. I bet their parents are proud.” Craig looked at the photographs.

  “Darn. Look at that blazer. It is so smart.” Jordan nodded and smiled.

  “So much thought goes into everything.” They all looked up.

  “A delivery for a Mister Lewis.” Jordan grinned.

  “Straight upstairs.” They all followed as the table and chairs were carried upstairs. Frank sat on the bar stool.

  “You know this is so unfair. These are really comfortable.” Jordan chuckled as they walked back downstairs.

  Penny loaded all the flowers in to Joy’s van. Joy chuckled as she walked in to the pub.

  “I have flowers!” They all helped to carry the flowers. Their home was full of flowers. Joy smiled as Jordan held her in his arms.

  “Did you like it?” Joy smiled.

  “So beautiful. You modified the front page.” Jordan chuckled and nodded.

  “My little tribute to you.” Joy sighed and kissed Jordan.

  “And I noticed something else.”

  “Yes. And I think you need to go downstairs for a special coffee.” Joy grinned as they walked downstairs.

  “Wait!” Joy flew up the stairs. She held her hand over her mouth.

  “It’s beautiful! Oh Jordan they are absolutely gorgeous!” Jordan smiled and nodded. They walked down the stairs again.

  Douglas walked in with his newsletter. His eyes shone. He had the biggest smile ever. He waved the newsletter in the air.

  “Fabulous! Did you see them?” They all grinned. Douglas sighed.

  “Next time. One full page ad! We are going to have a birthday special!” They all chuckled as he walked out. Joy smiled and looked at Jordan.

  “Now that is what I was going to say. I noticed something.” Jordan smiled.

  “Uhm. Well. You see.” Craig and Frank roared with laughter. Joy shook her head and smiled.

  “Naughty, naughty, naughty!” Jordan chuckled.

  “Makes a big difference. And Michael sent loads of extra cartridges.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  Duncan walked in and looked at Jordan.

  “Right. How do we go about a photograph? I am selling my car. Do you come over and take the pic?” Frank nodded.

  “I do.”

  “Great! Now this is my ad. And here is the money. Can you take the pic?” Frank nodded and smiled.

  “I sure can.” Duncan grinned.

  “Did you check that hub cap?” They all roared with laughter.

  Joy giggled.

  “Are we going to report on whether it was collected?” Frank grinned. They all chuckled. Duncan walked out.

  “Thanks guys!” Jordan shook his head.

  “Well. That is the start of the next section. Goods for sale. You might get busy Frank!” Frank roared with laughter and nodded.

  “You should have seen Barry and Jane when I took their photographs. They could not sit still!” Joy smiled.

  “So the Inn.” Jordan grinned.

  “Pub.”

  “Right. Has become the head office for the newsletter.” They all grinned and said ‘newspaper’. Joy chuckled.

  “And I wasn’t too sure.” They all grinned and nodded.

  CHAPTER 22

  It was Friday evening. The day before the wedding. Joy spent the night singing. She looked at her watch. She kissed Jordan and left with Tracy and Zeba. He smiled as she left. They kept to the old rules. He was not allowed to see his bride before she walked down the aisle. Joy headed to bed. She had to be up early.

  The entire town was excited. Every single person would be attending the wedding. The church wouldn’t be big enough but they were prepared to squash in to the hall. Joy stood at the door of the church with her arm looped over Roland’s.

  “Phew Dad. My stomach is in knots.” Roland smiled.

  “A big day today.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  “Are you ready?”

  “I am.” They slowly started walking as the music struck up. There was a murmur in the church as everyone aaahed. Joy looked beautiful. She wore a dress which was covered in lace. She had long lacy sleeves that fitted. Joy smiled as she looked at Jordan. He smiled and sighed. Roland put her hand in his. Jordan smiled as they turned and said their vows. The pastor smiled.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife.” Jordan smiled and pulled Joy into his arms and kissed her. Joy pulled away and smiled. They turned and everyone clapped.

  They drove over to the school hall. Joy looked at Jordan and he grinned.

  “The biggest venue in town.” Joy giggled. They walked through the doors and Joy looked around. The hall had been transformed into a beautiful dreamy function room. The school band was ready and waiting on the stage. Joy smiled.

  “Oh Jordan.” Jordan smiled. Everyone stood up and started to stomp their foot and clap their hands. Joy smiled and looked at Jordan. It was loud as everyone started singing. They walked to their table and sat down as the song ended.

  Roland grinned as he got up.

  “Now. As weddings go. We always have a little tit bit or a snippet of information. And you are going to get that. But I would like to tell you a little about Joy. She won’t be too impressed I know. But Joy. Today is the day that I divulge your secrets.” Joy smiled and nodded. Roland smiled.

  “Joy went through life as a tomboy. A real ruffian. She was about fifteen when I stood in the kitchen and I heard this loud roar. I walked over and looked at each of the boys. I asked Graham what the noise was and he said Joy is trying to make the perfect donut. I walked back to the kitchen. Well. She was not in the kitchen. I dropped that plate and flew out of the door! And there she was. On her bike trying to make the perfect donut. I was not impressed!” Everyone roared with laughter.

  “A few months later the same thing. The noise went up and down the road. I stood and looked out the window. There was Joy with her front wheel high in the sky. I flew out of the door. She sat on her bike and said did you see that! I did it right outside the window so you could see.” Everyone roared with laughter.

  “That was Joy. What you don’t know though. Joy studied. If it could be learnt Joy was there to sap up the information. She went on to becoming a teacher. But she kept studying. She qualified as a Professor. With the highest marks in the country.” There was a quiet whisper.

  “So yes. Joy the boy, as they all called her, became Miss when she qualified as a teacher, and then Professor Sheridan thereafter. But today I am proud to say that she h
as become Professor Mrs. Lewis. Welcome to the family Jordan. And sweetheart. I am proud of you!” He raised his glass and everyone toasted Joy.

  Lloyd got up.

  “I think you all know Jordan by now. He worked at the pub for quite a while. And then he bought the pub. And he started making changes. When Jordan was a youngster all he said was I am going to be a success. And he is. It wasn’t overnight. It took years and years. But he became that successful young man that he always wanted to be.” They all nodded.

  “And then along came Joy!” Lloyd smiled.

  “We didn’t think it would ever happen. But I am glad to say that he met his match. Welcome to the family Joy. We are proud to have you as part of the Lewis family.” Joy smiled and Lloyd winked at her.

  They all looked up. Emery walked through with about fifteen couples dressed in their leathers with their boots and chains.

  “Yo Professor! Where the hell is your bike!” Everyone roared with laughter. They all walked to the tables that had been kept for them. Joy smiled and looked at Jordan. The band started up and played a Waltz. Jordan and Joy got up and danced in the middle of the floor. Joy sighed.

  “Oh Jordan. What a magnificent day.” Jordan smiled.

  “You popped a wheelie!” Joy giggled. Jordan chuckled. Joy looked at Jordan with huge eyes.

  “Newsletter!” Jordan smiled.

  “As we speak. The machine is doing its thing.” Joy smiled.

  “You think of everything.” Jordan smiled as he looked at Joy.

  “You said you needed a rudder. You said you needed to be guided. I am doing just that.” Joy smiled.

  “As of today I am steering you away from the newspaper. It will be done. On time. And it will be ready every week.” Joy smiled.

  “I love you.” Jordan smiled.

  “I love you.” Joy smiled as they waltzed around the floor. Jordan whispered.

  “When can we order the walking ring?” Joy whispered.

  “Internet is fastest.” Jordan grinned and nodded.

  “Does it come with a solid set of wheels?” Joy giggled.

  “Oh hell I hope so!

  E N D

  Thank you for taking the time to read my book. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please take a moment to leave a comment at the site from which you downloaded. Feedback is always appreciated.