Page 79 of Life After

Suzanne winked. “I think Ruby and I would have been good friends.”

Listening up the stairs,Jen heard the shower running as she stared down at her phone in her hand. Suzanne had thrown her today with the whole company thing, along with offering her a job at said company, and now she needed advice. Her mum would know what to do; she usually did. Jen took herself back into the living room and sat down on the couch. While she didn’t expect Suzanne to tell her every last detail of her life—they had plenty of time for that—she did think she may have mentioned her company sooner. Perhaps Suzanne was just making sure Jen was the one for her before she dropped that huge piece of information.

Jen exhaled a deep breath and called her mum. When the call connected, Denise calmed Jen immediately. “Hello, my love.”

“Hi, Mum. You doing okay?” Jen lay back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. “Been out with the girls at all this week?”

“I went for lunch with Maria yesterday. Lovely meal in the Indian on the high street.”

“Oh, nice. I haven’t had an Indian takeout in a while.” Jen frowned. Did Suzanne like Indian food? “Everything good, yeah?”

“Fine, love. I have the weekend off work, so I’m planning to spend it in the garden if the weather keeps up.”

Jen had thoroughly enjoyed spending the day in the sunshine today. She hadn’t managed it last year. What with being banged up and all. “It’s been a gorgeous day. That’s actually why I’ve called. I needed your advice.”

“Okay, I’m listening.”

Jen heard her mum sip what was likely to be a cup of tea.

“So, um…we also spent the afternoon in the garden.” Jen ran a hand down her face, still shocked that Suzanne had offered her a job. “Suzanne was telling me that she’s going back to the company she owns. I didn’t know anything about it, but it’s great that she’s thinking of doing something different. Or…going back to what she does best, you know?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Anyway, she offered me a job with her. At her company. I wouldn’t have to work at the courier firm anymore.”

Denise gasped. “Oh, that’s fantastic news, love. She must really see potential in you if she’s offered you a job.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Jen knew the potential she had. It just wasn’t possible to fulfil that potential in the area she wished she could. Trying to get her job back in education just wasn’t an option for her. She couldn’t deal with the rejection. Why put herself through it when she was happy as she was? “I don’t really know what I’d be doing, but Suzanne is definitely keen to get me on board.”

“Well, you and I both know that you’re not happy working where you currently are.”

“I know that, but it doesn’t mean I’d be any good at the job Suzanne gave me. She’s an interior designer, Mum. I don’t know the first thing about any of that stuff.”

“Oh, I don’t know. You decorated most of this house for me.” Denise paused. “Okay, it may have been a while ago, but youdohave an eye for detail.”

“It’s one thing painting and decorating your house, but this is serious business. Like…I think the company is wortha lot. Bringing me in could jeopardise that, and I’d never forgive myself.” Jen only had to look around Suzanne’s place to know she had expensive taste. Her company was likely exactly the same. “I just don’t know what to do.”

“You could always give it a go instead of dismissing the idea completely.”

Yeah, Jen supposed she could do that. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“I think you should take her up on the offer, my love. You don’t grow unless you put yourself in those situations.” Denise had always had sound advice for Jen. She was the first person she always turned to when she needed a pep talk. “And if it doesn’t work out for you or you hate it, then it’s not the end of the world.”

“No, I know.” Jen pressed her palm to her forehead. Why did she feel so conflicted about this? Really, it was a no-brainer. “So, I should accept?”

“I think so, but ultimately, this is your life, Jen. Only you know what the right thing to do is. You’ve always been the kind of person who tries out new things, and that hasn’t changed. Live a little and enjoy something new.”

“Thanks, Mum. I appreciate the advice.”

“Always, my love. It’s what I’m here for.” Jen felt her mum smiling down the phone. “Now, can I interest you and Suzanne in Sunday dinner this weekend?”

“I… Let me speak to her. We’re hoping to visit her niece down south, and this weekend may be the only time I can do since I’ll be working through the week.”

“Okay, well, you just let me know,” Denise said. “And don’t forget to hand in your notice at your job if Suzanne is planning to hire you soon.”

“Oh, I don’t know when it’ll happen.” Jen would continue working in her current job until she knew more. She could never do what Suzanne had suggested and cut it loose without something else in the pipeline. While she greatly appreciated that Suzanne was willing to foot the bill for most things for the foreseeable, she just didn’t have it in her to accept something like that. Jen hadalwayspaid her own way, and that wasn’t going to change. “I’ll speak to her tonight and let you know.”

“Okay. I’ll wait to hear from you.”

---