Page 75 of A Good Mother
‘So, if you’re sitting comfortably, my little worry bean, I will begin.’
It had been the seed of an idea for a while, to branch out on his own but the sensible side of Jimmy kept reminding him he had responsibilities, and it wasn’t the time. Until the Young Farm came up for grabs and he saw it as a sign, an opportunity that couldn’t be missed. He could still work for his firm and the farm could be a sideline, a long-term project.
He did a bit of research and found that the land was classed as brown belt, which meant there was the possibility of developing it. Through his previous contracts and gift for networking, he was well-connected at the local council. His dad’s building firm was a ready-made source of labour and expertise, so all he had to do was join the dots – and acquire the farm, of course.
Lockdown made everything a million times more longwinded and complicated. Jimmy expected the deal would fall through so put his ideas on the backburner, quite glad of an excuse not to have to fend off Bella’s tiresome, flirtatious innuendos each time they spoke. Instead, he settled into life at home which he loved. And this led to another epiphany.
‘I wanted working from home to be the norm. I also saw you were battling some preconceived notion that women have to go out to work once their kids went to school. I could tell you were putting undue pressure on yourself when you were already lacking confidence and there was no need.
‘No matter how much I reassured you, it was like you were bowing to the unseen face of society and far too conscious of how being a stay-at-home mum would be perceived. Bloody Bella Young and her catty remarks didn’t help, either.’
He’d tried to point her in the right direction, to build her self-esteem by encouraging her to go running, to do the upcycling Facebook page, whatever made her happy. Then, once lockdown eased and Bella got in touch and it looked like the farm was back on the table, he had a magnificent idea.
Jimmy sat forward and let go of Gina’s hand then clasped his together. Expectation written all over his face, he took a deep breath and blurted out his idea.
‘I want us to work together. You and me. I’m going to leave the firm, and the two of us are going to start our own business. Morgan Architectural… something like that. You can decide, you’re the arty one.’
Gina’s jaw dropped. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Never been more serious in my whole life, apart from our wedding day. Don’t you see, it’s the perfect solution? We can create the ideal work-home life balance. I have my office and, if you want, we’ll make you one of your own, spilt mine in two. Whatever, they’re mere details.’
‘But what can I do? I’m not an architect.’
‘No, but you are a fabulous interior designer, and this is the best bit… I want to build one hundred per cent environmentally friendly homes, totally sustainable, zero carbon emissions. We can transform the farmhouse into our flagship property. That, my darling wife, is where you come in.’
Gina had been rendered speechless.
Jimmy not so. ‘Well, what do you think? Are you in? Me and you. Partners in every sense of the word. It’s going to be epic, Gina, I know it. Combining both our talents and you can ease back into designing at your pace, with me by your side. I swear I’ve never been so fired up about a project in my life.’
‘You are totally batshit crazy, you know that don’t you, but yes, I think it’s a brilliant idea and yes, I’m in. One million per cent in. I bloody love you, Jimmy Morgan.’ Gina took his face in her hands and kissed him like her life depended on it.
When they came up for air, Jimmy took her in his arms, pulling her close as he said the same. ‘And I love you, Gina Morgan, you bloody lunatic.’
Another question pinged into her head, just one amongst the millions clamouring for attention in her head. ‘Was that Babs on the phone last night? I overheard your conversation and presumed it was Bella and went into meltdown. I could only hear your side of the conversation and…’
‘And you put two and two together, again. Honestly, Gina, I still can’t get my head round why you… look there’s no point in going on about it, but yes, it was Babs. Her battery had run out mid-roasting, so she called back later to make sure I’d got the message and wasn’t going to let her down. As if. I’m scared to death of her!’
From the comfort of his embrace, so many things were making sense, like the saying about eavesdroppers for a start. Then a thought.
‘So that’s what the sex phones are for? Our new business venture. You do know I’ll never be able to look at them and not think that.’
She could feel Jimmy laughing. ‘Yes, they are for us. It was all part of my big surprise pitch that I’d prepared for this weekend, when I presented you with the paperwork for the farm and our his ’n’ hers fancy work phones. I just need you to say yes and then the deal can go ahead. Which reminds me. We need to get going.’
Gina heaved herself upwards and faced Jimmy. ‘Get going where?’
‘To the Lake District. I’ve booked us a luxury cottage and a fancy restaurant. I thought it would be nice to get away for the weekend while the monsters wreck Mum and Dad’s house. I was going to tell you about the plan when we got there in case you went ape shit. Don’t want blood all over our very fancy wallpaper; and in the country nobody will hear you screaming at me. Are you pleased? Say something.’
Jimmy had both his thumbs raised and wore a grimace while he waited.
Oh how she loved this man.
‘Of course I’m pleased and excited and happy all at once.’
‘Well, Mrs, in that case you need to pack. We can talk all this through properly on the drive up.’ And then he paused. ‘But there’s one more thing that I promised scary Babs I’d mention.’
Gina was about to stand and drag Jimmy upstairs, hoping they’d have time before they left for her to make amends, but instead, she waited.
‘Now don’t flip, because against the odds today is going well…’ he paused but noting Gina’sget on with itlook, did just that.
