Watching. Jeff Edwards

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      ‘Oh you don’t have to do that!’

      ‘I insist. Especially after you’ve been so nice to us.’

      ‘Well, just as long as it’s not too early,’ smiled Jade, ‘I think a long sleep-in will be called for after this.’

      The party continued, and Jade was asked to dance by several very good-looking young men, most of whom she knew from university, and with whom she was able to talk freely.

      One young man, who, unlike most of those present, was dressed in an expensive, pinstriped suit, was a complete stranger to her.

      ‘Are you from the medical school?’ asked Jade, assuming he had been invited by Rani.

      ‘Which medical school?’

      ‘You’re not from medical school then.’

      ‘I suppose not,’ he replied as they danced.

      Jade looked up, into his clear, blue eyes, ‘Well, if you’re not from medical school, and, as I don’t know you, then I must assume that you were not invited to this party.’

      ‘Are you, by any chance, the hostess of this party?’ he asked.

      ‘Yes. I am.’

      The young man smiled back down at her, ‘Then your powers of deductive reasoning are quite accurate. I was simply walking by, when I heard the wonderful music, and I couldn’t resist, especially when I saw how beautiful the women were.’

      Intrigued by his honesty, and lack of fear for the consequences of his action, Jade asked, ‘And what do you intend to do, now that you have been found out?’

      He released Jade from their dancing embrace, bowed mockingly to her, and said, ‘Well, I’ve listened to your music, danced with the most beautiful woman here, and had a wonderful time, but I do have a previous appointment to keep. So I’ll bid you good night.’ Whereupon he kissed her hand like a Spanish gigolo, and disappeared into the crowded house.

      Jade tried to catch up to him, but was sidetracked by her guests, and, by the time she reached the front door, he had vanished. Mystified, and frustrated, she returned to the party.

      It was nearly noon the next day before Jade awoke.

      She could hear sounds coming from the kitchen, and assumed that Rani had started the mammoth task of cleaning up, without her. Feeling guilty, she climbed from her bed, and slipped into a dressing gown, before making her way into the kitchen.

      As Jade was walking down the hallway, Rani’s door opened, and she too emerged in her dressing gown. ‘You’ve started without me,’ accused Rani.

      ‘I’ve only just gotten out of bed myself,’ said Jade, as they both walked into the kitchen.

      At the sink, they found the oldest of the Rafter’s children, hard at work, washing the dishes, with her brother drying. A pile of already cleaned crockery was growing on the kitchen table, while the pile of dirty dishes on the sink top was gradually being reduced.

      While they stood watching in amazement, Lucy Rafter came through the back door, with another pile of dishes in her hands, and deposited them on the sink. Lucy smiled at the two girls. ‘I told the children that we were helping to clean up. They just couldn’t wait to get started. I’m sorry.’

      Jade laughed, ‘Don’t be sorry. Just give us a second to get some clothes on, and we’ll be right back to help.’

      By the time the two girls had dressed, and returned, most of the work had been done. Samson had looked after the heavy lifting, placing the empty keg and boxes of empty bottles in the front yard for later removal, while Lucy had helped him. All the while, she was also organising her children with the smaller tasks.

      In no time at all, the house was spic and span again, with the Rafter clan and the two girls sitting around the kitchen table sipping cups of tea, and glasses of milk.

      ‘I don’t know what we would have done without you,’ said Rani. ‘If it had been left to just the two of us, we’d have still been at it at midnight.’

      ‘I agree,’ said Jade, raising her cup in salute.

      ‘It was our pleasure after the way your grandfather made the house available to us for six months.’

      Jade sipped at her tea, and regarded the Rafters. ‘What will you do when the lease runs out?’

      Lucy and Samson exchanged glances. ‘I suppose we’ll have to find another place to rent,’ said Samson.

      ‘You couldn’t stay?’ asked Rani.

      Samson nodded. ‘I have a good job on the buses, but it doesn’t pay anywhere near enough to rent somewhere in this neighbourhood.’

      Jade sipped at her tea, and reached a decision. ‘What if you could stay, and didn’t have to worry about rent?’

      ‘No, we couldn’t do that. I know your grandfather paid in advance for us, as a favour, but we couldn’t impose on him any further.’

      ‘Actually, it was you who performed the favour, and it wasn’t for my grandfather. It was for me — I was the one who wanted to get back at the old goat who owned the houses, not the Commodore, and I’m not talking about you being able to stay here for nothing.’

      The Rafters were confused, but Jade continued. ‘I’ve been thinking — Rani and I are far too busy to run a house. Rani will be doing her medicine, and I intend to find work as well. I’d like Lucy, if she will, to look after the house here for us.’

      ‘You mean, a housekeeper?’ asked Lucy.

      ‘Would you do it?’ asked Jade.

      ‘I’d love to!’ exclaimed Lucy. ‘Is it alright with you, Samson?’

      Samson took his wife’s hand, and looked at her. ‘It’ll be up to you. Are you sure you want to?’

      ‘I was going to have to find work anyway, wasn’t I? Besides, I won’t have to leave the children unattended. I’ll be able to do the work, and still be here to look after them.’

      Samson nodded in agreement. ‘I wasn’t looking forward to moving out again. We’d love to stay.’

      ‘Then it’s settled,’ agreed Jade. ‘I know I wasn’t looking forward to cleaning the windows. It wasn’t something that they taught us at school. You’ll be doing us a big favour.’

      ‘Don’t you worry,’ smiled Samson, ‘I’ll do the windows myself.’

      Later that afternoon, there was a knock on the door.

      Jade was preparing dinner, and Rani answered it, returning to the kitchen with a large bunch of roses in her arms. ‘Looks like someone’s showing their appreciation for a great party. There’s a card.’

      Jade was peeling potatoes, and had wet, dirty hands, ‘Put them in a vase, and open the card for me. They’re probably from Walter. He knows I love roses.’

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