Chapter 11
Jenni laid on her sofa, wrapped in her duvet, feeling sorry for herself.
It had been a week since The Incident and, although her leg was hurting less, she was still in pain.
She’d been signed off work until she could sit comfortably at a desk and had spent the last few days watching Death in Paradise.
By now, she’d made it to series seven and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
She groaned at the ceiling in frustration.
The cat flap clacked open and shut, and a flump on the duvet indicated Oscar’s arrival. Purring loudly and kneading the cushions, Oscar began preparations for an extended nap.
‘I’m glad you’re happy with this set-up,’ Jenni grumbled.
Oscar seemed delighted to have Jenni at home, perhaps thinking that her presence indicated a more dedicated approach to his welfare, although he’d been displeased with Jenni’s response times.
Jenni had decided the constant mewing as she made her way slowly to the kitchen, hobbling on her crutches, was Oscar shouting encouragement, not him telling her to get a move on.
Being at home more had given her time to observe his habits and, although he was spending a lot of time with her, she had noticed he was gone for extended periods of time.
Perhaps I should fit him with an Airtag, or a cat cam, and see what he gets up to, she wondered idly. At least if I can’t go out, I can see what’s going on via Oscar.
She watched as the cat curled up into a tight comma and settled into sleep.
There was something very cosy about a dozing cat, Jenni thought. It made a house feel more like home.
Deciding she couldn’t cope with any more paradise, however sunny the location, Jenni started flicking channels – how could there be so much stuff and nothing she wanted to watch?
Fortunately, she was saved by the doorbell. Unfortunately, that meant Jenni needed to move.
Pulling herself to standing, she tugged up her jogging bottoms and shook the crumbs from her hoodie before making her way laboriously to the door.
Upon opening the door, she discovered Amy and baby Tilly on the front step with a promising-looking cake tin.
‘I thought you might need some sugar,’ Amy said, following Jenni into the flat. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Fed up! Everything’s so difficult, I can’t even sit up comfortably at the moment, although I’m being fitted with a boot thingy next week, which will make it easier. But it’s just all really boring. Thank you for visiting.’
Jenni flumped back onto the sofa and Amy sat down more carefully, not wanting to wake up Tilly.
‘I’m so sorry I haven’t been over before, I was going to the park and Tilly fell asleep in the sling so I thought I’d pop in now and see how you’re getting on.’
She adjusted the baby so she could sit down more comfortably.
‘What actually happened? Your text made no sense at all. Something about being attacked by a snowboarder and being smothered in knitwear. I’ve been so worried.’
‘Sorry about that – the painkillers were strong, and they gave me morphine at the hospital too, so I was a bit confused.’
Jenni explained what had happened and Amy nodded sympathetically as Jenni described how she’d had to be carried off the slopes, accompanied by the two models and the photographer.
Getting back to London by train would have been a nightmare, but fortunately Go Big’s insurance had covered her journey in a private ambulance.
‘And after all that, Tim emailed me to say that Clive’s favourite photo of the entire shoot is the one the photographer took just as I got knocked to the ground.
Apparently, there’s a fantastic shot of me flying through the air, surrounded by the burnt cinnamon knitwear range.
He described it as “playful but unconventional”, and says it defines the Go Big brand, so now I’m part of the campaign,’ Jenni grumbled.
Amy smothered a laugh. ‘Surely a broken leg is a small price to pay for a new career in modelling?’
‘Hmph, hardly, but at least they’re being good about me having time off.’
Just then a small cry erupted from Tilly.
‘Uh-oh, someone’s woken up hungry,’ Amy said, unbuttoning the sling so she could lift Tilly out. ‘Here, can you hold her for me while I go and sort her bottle out. I’ll make us some tea at the same time.’
Handing her daughter to Jenni, Amy stood up and headed for the kitchen, gathering her bag up as she went. Jenni watched in envy at the speed with which she moved.
Tilly, furious at being removed from her warm cocoon and unimpressed at being handed to Jenni, began to cry harder. ‘Hold on, Tilly, I’ll be back in a minute,’ shouted Amy from the kitchen. ‘I’ll just put the kettle on while I’m here!’
Jenni tried bouncing Tilly up and down a bit while looking around for something to distract her with. ‘Look, Tilly, say hello to Oscar.’
Oscar, having been rudely awoken from his sleep, opened one eye. Twitching his tail in obvious disapproval, he glared at Jenni before standing up to give a disdainful stretch.
Fortunately, the movement was enough to fascinate Tilly, who stopped crying and looked at the cat.
‘Come here, Oscar, come and say hello,’ Jenni said, stretching out her free hand to him. Oscar, ignoring the gesture completely, jumped off the back of the sofa and stalked out the room.
Tilly began to cry again.
‘Great, thanks for that, Oscar. Desert me in my hour of need,’ muttered Jenni, frantically bouncing Tilly again as the baby’s sobs increased in volume. How could such a small child make so much noise?
Fortunately, Amy returned at that moment carrying a tray with two mugs of tea, Tilly’s bottle, a couple of plates and a knife, which she put on the coffee table. Reaching over, she took Tilly from Jenni and offered the bottle to the baby who took it greedily, her crying stopping instantly.
‘Right, that’s better.’ Amy settled back into the chair with the baby tucked against her. ‘Are you okay to cut the cake?’
‘It’d take more than a broken leg to keep me from cake,’ Jenni replied, opening the cake tin to discover her favourite coffee and walnut.
‘Delicious! Although, I need to stop eating so much. I can’t do any exercise at the moment and I’ll be the size of a house once I’m out of plaster.’
‘Oh, rubbish, you could do with putting some weight on, you got too skinny after breaking up with Alex. You need a happy stomach.’
‘A what now?’ Jenni spluttered on a mouthful of cake.
‘My mum has a theory that the weight you put on when you’re in a relationship is a “happy stomach”.’ Amy took another bite of cake. ‘You’ve been sad, and it’s a scientific fact that misery burns calories faster than joy – it’s time for you to get a happy stomach.’
‘Right, okay, thanks for your top medical diagnosis, Doctor, that doesn’t sound at all made up. And I’m not unhappy, I’m just…’ Jenni paused.
She wasn’t sure how she felt anymore. She wasn’t miserable – she was used to being without Alex now – but since she’d seen her mum with Alan, she had to admit that she’d felt, not sad exactly, but…
‘I’m just a bit lonely sometimes.’
The truth hit her and she put down her plate and looked at Amy.
‘It’s hard being on my own all the time, keeping busy, worrying if I should be out, that if I stay home I’ll never meet anyone.
Having to tell people on Monday that I’ve had a good weekend, pretending I’ve been doing stuff so they don’t feel sorry for me.
And breaking my leg… it’s made me realise that if anything happens, there’s literally no one else I can lean on. ’
‘Oh, Jenni – you can always come and hang out with us, you don’t have to be on your own all the time.’
‘I know that, and thank you, but it’s not the same as just being at home, with someone else who is happy to be home too.’
Seeing Amy’s concerned face, Jenni tried to lighten the situation. ‘It’s fine, I have a very dedicated companion who brings me dead rodents and bits of litter, so I’m really very well provided for. And look, I’m having another slice, so lots of work going into the happy stomach.’
Jenni cut another chunk of cake and took a big bite.
Smiling, Amy reached over and took another piece too. ‘I’ll support you on this important mission. If your happiness requires me to eat more cake, then you can count on me!’