by Melissa Hill
Katrina, a young trainee from downstairs, had telephoned Jenny’s office to warn of her of Kennedy’s impending arrival.
“Jenny, Jenny, that fella that you gave the bomb-yoke to – he wanted to know where you were. I told him where your office is and he’s gone upstairs and –”
“It’s OK, Katrina, thanks for letting me know,” Jenny said quickly, trying to sound calmer than she felt. She had butterflies in her stomach as she put the phone down. Kennedy was here. What would he say to her?
She had sent him an impressively worded letter, and telephoned his office numerous times to apologise, but to her annoyance the pompous so-and-so hadn’t even bothered to return her calls. His PA had seemed to know exactly who Jenny Hamilton was and obviously the reason for her call. The girl had been haughty and dismissive of her on the telephone. Jenny had got the distinct impression that an apologetic letter and a wine and chocolate gift basket would not nearly be enough to mollify the esteemed director of InTech.
She stood up and went out towards the waiting-area. A heavyset man in his late fifties sat on the sofa, flicking through Banking News. He looked up as Jenny approached. She tried to keep the nervousness out of her voice as she spoke.
“Mr Kennedy? Hello, I’m Jenny Hamilton, pleased to finally meet you.” She smiled nervously and offered her hand.
He hesitated for a moment, and then shook her hand with a slightly confused expression. Jenny was surprised at his appearance. He didn’t look like the executive type at all with his brown tweed ensemble. Where was the famous designer suit?
She certainly couldn’t remember serving him that day. Then again, it had been so busy, she could have been serving George Clooney and she wouldn’t have noticed.
“Did you get me box?” he asked, in a thick Wicklow accent. “I’m waitin’ for me box.”
Jenny looked at him, her mind blank. What was Kennedy on about? At that moment, Marion rushed upstairs towards the two of them, a safety-deposit box in her arms.
“Mr Kenny, you can use this room if you like.” She indicated a room just behind Jenny. “Close the door for some privacy, and I’ll be back to you in about ten minutes to put the box back in the safe, OK?”
The man looked from Marion to Jenny, then took the box into the room and closed the door behind him.
“Oh, thank God.” Jenny putting her hand to her throat. She gave Marion a relieved smile. “Katrina must have got it all wrong. She told me your man Kennedy from InTech was looking for me. She must have misheard the name. I didn’t fancy meeting him face to face.”
“No, your receptionist is quite correct, actually,” said a deep voice from behind Marion.
They both turned to look as a tall, blonde, and notably attractive younger man appeared at the top of the stairs. He stepped forward and offered his hand to Jenny.
“Mike Kennedy. I remember you now, Ms Hamilton,” he said, a slight smile on his face. He nodded at Marion who smiled and nodded back at him.
“Oh … right. Pleased to meet you,” Jenny stammered. “My office is just here, please come in.”
She followed him in, and grimaced at an amused Marion before closing the door behind them. Could it get any worse? Now Kennedy had caught her talking about him behind his back.
“First of all, Ms Hamilton, I have to say thank you for the fantastic gift basket you sent us. It was a lovely touch – we were all delighted with it.”
“Um, you’re welcome,” Jenny said, unsure what to make of it all. She remembered serving this guy that day, but hadn’t known who he was at the time. After all, he was so young. Barry had thrown her when he had said he was the InTech director. Jenny had been trying to place a much older man.
Kennedy sat down and put his briefcase on the floor in front of him.
“I understand that you telephoned the office a number of times, and I’m very sorry but I haven’t had a chance to return your calls. I’m just back from the States yesterday morning.”
“Oh!” His trusty PA hadn’t bothered telling her that. She had wanted to get the apology over and done with, but now that he was here she didn’t know what to say to him. Kennedy smiled across the table at her and, as he did, Jenny couldn’t help thinking how very attractive he was. Stop it, she warned herself, this guy could get you fired yet.
“Ms Hamilton –” he began.
“Please, call me Jenny.”
“OK then – Jenny. Look, the reason I came to see you today is because I wanted to put your mind at ease about the entire – ‘situation’. I understand that it was a simple mistake, and I’m sure these things happen.”
“But it shouldn’t have happened,” Jenny blurted, embarrassed. “a mistake like that should never have happened. I’m an experienced cashier – I wasn’t concentrating and I should’ve been. If a junior staff member had done something like that, it would be bad enough but – ”
“Look, let’s just forget about it,” he interjected softly. “I blew my top with your manager afterwards, but that was because I had to cancel my meeting, and it was really just heat-of-the-moment stuff. You must have got into terrible trouble.”
Jenny managed to raise a smile, as she shook her head. “It wasn’t a pretty sight in the manager’s office, that’s for sure.”
“Neither was I afterwards, I can tell you that much,” he said laughing. “That stuff went everywhere. I tried everything under the sun to try and get it off. Eventually it just wore off with washing – a week later, I might add.”
Jenny grimaced. “It must have been dreadful. Oh, I really am sorry, Mr Kennedy. If there’s anything at all I can say or do to make it up to you, please tell me.”
“Honestly, Jenny, it’s fine. I’ve got over it. There are worse things in life, I can tell you.” He smiled at her again, his blue eyes alight with amusement.
Jenny couldn’t believe how decent he was being about all this. No wonder she had been petrified about meeting him; Barry had made him out to be an awful monster. She wondered if he had spoken to the manager since. Kennedy appeared to read her thoughts and picked up his briefcase.
“Look, I popped in because I was in the area and I wanted to apologise for not returning your calls. I’m sure you’re very busy, and I’m in a bit of a rush myself to be honest, but I wonder if your manager would be free to see me, just for a moment? I want to reassure him that I won’t be moving the account, despite my earlier threats to the contrary.” He chuckled and pushed his fair hair out of one eye. “I have to say, I did enjoy that telephone conversation. That’s what you’re supposed to do, isn’t it? Frighten the life out of your bank manager, so that he’ll be willing to give you whatever you want afterwards? You’d never know – this situation might work to my advantage, after all.”
Jenny smiled and stood up to see him out.
He held out his hand to her again. “Jenny, it was a pleasure meeting you face to face. While I’m at it, I must also make sure Mr Ferguson doesn’t make you pay for my replacement suit out of your own wages.”
Jenny looked worried for a moment. She hadn’t thought about that. Shit, Barry wouldn’t expect her to pay for it, would he?
She shook his hand and apologised all over again. Kennedy shrugged it off with a wave of his hand.
“Please, just forget about it now. It’s over and done with. No harm done – really,” he urged as he went towards the door.
Barry must have been trying to listen in on their conversation, because he was right outside her door when Jenny opened it. As soon as he saw Mike, he was all smiles.
“Michael Kennedy, how are you? Come in here and we’ll have a chat. I hope Jenny explained everything to you. Jenny, why don’t you get Mr Kennedy here a cup of coffee, and maybe pop down the road to the bakery for a few doughnuts or something while you’re at it.” He pumped Mike’s hand jovially.
“No, no,” said Kennedy, with a smile to Jenny, “I don’t have time for coffee unfortunately.”
They disappeared into the office.
Jenny
sat back down at her desk, and couldn’t help letting out a huge sigh of relief. Thank goodness that was all over and done with. She had been dreading it. But he had been so nice about it all, apologising for not returning her calls.
She still couldn’t believe how young Kennedy was. He was definitely mid-thirties, thirty-five at the most. Good for him, she thought. He was obviously very good at what he did; after all, InTech was one of the most dynamic, up-and-coming SME’s in the software business. She had come across an article about them only last week in Business and Finance magazine.
Jenny had been amused to see him wink conspiratorially at her, before he disappeared into Barry’s office. Mike Kennedy obviously knew well how to handle the likes of Barry Ferguson.
Chapter 27
It was a bright, pleasant and surprisingly sunny November day. Because the autumn had been relatively mild, many of the trees surrounding the tiny church still retained most of their golden leaves, adding a particularly autumnal feel to the quaint pastoral setting.
“I can’t believe the weather she’s getting,” Karen said, struggling to appear ladylike while getting out of Shane’s car in her high-heeled mules. She stood up straight, positioned her hat, and looked up at the sky in wonder. “You wouldn’t get weather as good as this in June.”
“It’s gorgeous here, isn’t it?” Jenny agreed, taking in the surrounding area. The little village church was the smallest she had ever seen, and it looked even tinier beneath the surrounding oak and beech trees towering high above it. It was a beautiful place to get married, she decided.
Karen, Shane and Jenny had travelled from Dublin to West Cork earlier that morning. The rugged mountainous scenery they had passed on the journey down completely enthralled Shane, who had grown up in the relatively flat lands of County Meath, and had never travelled further south than Kildare.
During the journey Jenny wasn’t sure which was worse, Shane driving without full concentration, or Karen driving as only she knew how. She was doing at least sixty miles an hour on the winding country by-roads like a woman possessed, beeping and honking at every tractor or slow driver who happened to get in her way. Jenny was sure the sides of the car must have scraped off the roadside walls; they were driving so close to them. She had spent the rest of the journey with her eyes closed, knowing she would definitely throw up if she looked out at the countryside whizzing past her window. She had been more than a little relieved when Karen finally pulled in to the church carpark, the Astra amazingly, still in one piece.
Slightly late, the three of them hurried into the church to take their seats. They were inside only a few minutes when the organist began the bridal march. Soon after, the bridesmaids began walking towards the altar, smirking at everyone and (very obviously Jenny thought) trying not to burst out laughing.
Tessa’s sixteen-year-old twin sisters wore rust-red bridesmaid dresses, which looked particularly striking against their dusky complexions. The dresses were strapless and had satin, gold-embroidered bustiers fitted to the hip, and long satin skirts trained slightly on the ground behind them. They wore their long dark hair up, intertwined with gold-painted leaves and berries. Jenny thought the effect was especially stunning considering the time of year and the rural setting. Tessa followed close behind, a glorious vision in ivory satin, her father walking proudly alongside her.
“It’s very posh, isn’t it?” Karen whispered loudly over the music, so loudly in fact that some people sitting two of three pews in front of them turned around and stared at her. She giggled as Shane elbowed her roughly.
Jenny thought Tessa looked amazing in her Vera Wang wedding dress. Her hair had grown longer since Jenny had seen her last, and today she wore it curled and piled high on her head, a few tiny tendrils framing her face, and a gold tiara completing the overall ‘fairy princess’ effect. She inclined her head towards her father as he whispered something in her ear, and Jenny saw her eyes glisten as they walked towards the altar.
Mr Sullivan looked at his daughter with such pride and love that Jenny felt her own eyes smart with the beginning of tears. As she watched the two of them walk towards the altar, she felt she understood for the very first time why it was that so many people cried at weddings. The fairytale atmosphere in the tiny church was almost ethereal. Even Karen was softening a little, she thought, catching sight of her friend squeeze Shane’s hand, as the bride and groom took their vows.
The reception was being held in a hotel not far from the village. When they got there, Shane spotted Aidan and his date – an old schoolfriend – sitting at the bar. Jenny hadn’t noticed them at the church, and judging by the empty glasses in front of them, they had missed the ceremony.
“We couldn’t find the bleedin’ place,” he said, throwing his hands up in despair. “I must have asked for directions from about ten different people but I couldn’t understand a word any of them were saying. It’s all ‘boy’ this and ‘boy’ that – I hadn’t a clue. What’s a boreen, by the way?” He winked at Shane.
“Nice try,” Shane laughed. “It wasn’t too bad though, only an hour long. I thought these things went on for ages.”
“It was long enough for me.” Gerry exclaimed, coming up behind them, looking especially dashing in his morning-suit. “I thought your one would never stop singing there at the end.”
“Gerry – congratulations, man.” Aidan stood up and clapped him on the back. “Where’s the missus?”
“Running around chatting to everyone – you know yourself,” Gerry beamed, as the barman handed him a pint. “I’ve been looking forward to this – cheers, lads.” Everyone raised their glasses in unison.
“It was a really lovely ceremony, wasn’t it?” Jenny said, sitting at a window table beside Karen. “It must really get you thinking about your own wedding.”
Karen shrugged her shoulders and poured diet coke into her vodka. “I suppose so. But I thought that the horse and cart thing was a bit over the top.” She giggled. “Imagine myself and Shane going down the main street at home in a horse and cart? We’d be the talk of the place for months.”
Jenny laughed. “Poor old Nora Cronin would have a heart attack. Tessa seemed thrilled with it all, but I don’t think Gerry enjoyed it too much. He looked a bit green when he got here.”
“Yeah, and did you see him sink that pint of Guinness afterwards. I’ve never seen a man who needed a drink so badly.”
They were both laughing so much that they didn’t notice someone come up beside their table.
“Hello, Jenny.”
Jenny looked up, and when she saw who it was, she felt her cheeks redden. Mike Kennedy was standing there, looking very handsome in a black tuxedo. What was he doing at Tessa and Gerry’s wedding? And why had his appearance made her feel tongue-tied all of a sudden?
“Mike, um, how are you?” she managed to say. Out of the corner of her eye, Jenny could see Karen watching with her with interest.
“Great thanks. This is a surprise – I didn’t expect that I’d know anyone here. Hello.” He nodded at Karen.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Forgive my manners. Karen, this is Mike Kennedy. He’s a customer of the bank. Mike – Karen Cassidy.”
“Hello,” Karen said coyly, extending her hand. “Pleased to meet you. How do you know Tessa and Gerry?” She beamed up at him.
Just then, a tall redhead wearing the shortest dress with the longest legs Jenny had ever seen, appeared at Mike’s side. She tugged impatiently at his arm.
“Mike, I need a drink quick. I just met Sandra Thompson and she bored the face off me, telling me all about the feeding habits of her latest newborn. I thought I’d never get away from her.” She turned and nudged through the crowd at the bar, nearly toppling Aidan off his barstool. Jenny noticed him give her an appreciative look as she ordered drinks from the barman. She didn’t blame him. She was a stunning-looking girl.
“I’d better go,” Mike said, nodding towards his companion. “Can I get you girls anything at the bar?”
Jenny shook her head and smiled. “We’re fine. Thanks anyway.”
Karen waited until he was a safe distance away, before turning to Jenny. “Who was that?” she asked, eyes wide with interest. “What a hunk. No wonder you were blushing so much.”
“Oh no, was I that bad?” Jenny said, mortified all over again. “I just got tongue tied – I couldn’t think of anything to say to him. He’s the one I told you about before, the one that was covered in blue dye.”
“That’s the guy.” Karen said, incredulously. “I got the impression he was one of those stuffed shirts, not an Adonis with a fine bod.”
Jenny laughed. “Well, his wife, or girlfriend, or whatever she might be, is more than a match for him – looks-wise, anyway.” She watched his companion cross her long legs as she sat down at a table on the other side of the room. She noticed that every male in the room was practically drooling at the mouth as the girl leant forward to let Mike light her cigarette, exposing her ample cleavage.
“She’s very good-looking all right,” Karen agreed, following Jenny’s gaze. “A bit obvious though in that get-up, isn’t she?” She wrinkled her nose at the girl’s flimsy hot-pink chiffon dress that clung to every curve.
An hour or so later they took their seats in the banqueting room.
Jenny looked around the room in wonder. Tessa had really pulled out all the stops. A bouquet of heart-shaped helium balloons in red and gold had been placed in the centre of every round table, and two huge bride and groom air-walkers hovered behind Tessa and Gerry at the top table.
“I have to admit, I really like the balloons,” Karen said, taking a seat across from Jenny. “That’s something I wouldn’t mind doing for our wedding. What do you think?” She nudged Shane. “It takes the stuffy look away from everything, doesn’t it?”
