Matchmaker

The Matchmaker

Elizabeth tied the strings of her floral apron behind her and looked
with pleasure round her clean, modern, sparkling kitchen. Then, her
daughter's light breakfast ready, she called loudly up the
stairs.
"Jenny - you'll be late! Hurry down!"
Breathless, Jenny took a quick look in her bedroom mirror to see dark
hair, bobbed, and revealing small ears, and brown eyes all now hot and
bothered. Quickly, in something of a panic, she called back.
"All right, Ma! I'm coming - I think?."
Down came Jenny to grab a hurried breakfast. She mustn't, but mustn't
be late at the
office!
Quietly but well-dressed in a lightweight green woollen costume, with
dark green court shoes emphasising her fine legs, all suitable for the
hope for Spring sunshine, Elizabeth sat with her daughter who ate
quickly.
"Now, it's your birthday, dear. You should have reached the age of
discretion at last!"
"Not me, ma! I'll leave that to you!"
Jenny drank her coffee. Then pouring her words out, she said, "Ma, I've
something to tell you. It's very important".
Elizabeth felt a pang of alarm. What now? Speaking slowly, she said,
"Out with it dear. What is it this time?"
"I'm bringing a boyfriend home this evening. This time it's the real
thing".
Both relieved and worried, Elizabeth looked her daughter in the eyes
and said, "Are you? You've said that before - remember?"
"Yes, Ma. But this is it. This really is it! His name is Bob. He's very
nice - at least, I think so!"
"All right, Jenny. I'll go shopping and prepare a special meal. It's
your birthday, after all. Then we'll see?"
"When will Pa be back from the branch manager's meeting in
Edinburgh?"
"He hopes to be back on Friday - in three days' time - if all goes
well".
"I must run, Ma. I mustn't miss the bus".
Hastily gathering her things, in a rush as always, Jenny kissed her
mother goodbye; slim legs flying, she fled down the garden path beneath
a newly burgeoning beech, along the quiet avenue to the bus stop round
the corner. Here London was busy as always. Her office was at nearby
Hendon Central. She rounded the corner - to see her bus disappearing
down the road! She had missed it! Horror of horrors - what now? She was
in despair.
Desperately she ran to the taxi rank. She arrived at her workplace just
before nine. At nine she was at her desk, smart and attractive in
yellow jumper and short red skirt with black shoes and tights, somehow
ready and waiting when her boss entered. A tall, well-dressed man of
middle age, he gave her a warm smile and entered his office. She had
made it! She resolved to listen to her mother and improve. She simply
must get up earlier. Perhaps she had reached the age of discretion. It
was about time she acknowledged ruefully.

Methodically, Elizabeth tidied up the breakfast things, thinking about
Jenny. Would that girl ever learn? What sort of a boy would it be this
time? She thought back in dread. There had been some! What specimens!
What would he be like? Taking a look at herself in the mirror, all
ready to do some shopping for a special meal, she pondered. She was
still youthful. Surely she wasn't just being vain? Her dark hair fell
softly to her shoulders. She was pleased with her pearl necklace, a
present from her husband, John. She remembered how John had told her
she had beautiful eyes, brown like Jenny's. She thought of him lovingly
and looked forward to his return. Apparently calm but with flutterings
of inner foreboding, she left the house, went to their garage, and
drove carefully through heavy traffic to the nearby supermarket. Here
she parked in the large already well-filled parking lot; she was soon
shopping with her list for some choice tit-bits for this special
evening. She didn't know whether to look forward to it or fear
it?
Some twenty minutes later, Elizabeth wheeled her well-filled trolley
back to her car and loaded the boot. Then, having disposed of the
trolley, she went to get in. She gave a gasp. Horror of horrors! She
had a dreadful puncture. She felt deflated herself at the annoying
spectacle. What on earth should she do now? What a nuisance! She looked
around her blankly.
A young man approached the car next to hers. He put his things in the
boot and looked over to her.
"Hello! That doesn't look too good! Let me help. This won't take
long!"
Expertly the young man tackled the mishap. Elizabeth watched admiringly
as the spare wheel was fitted. Some fifteen minutes later, all spick
and span once more, she was on her way home again. Now why couldn't
Jenny fall for someone like that, she asked herself, pursing her lips.
Just the chap, she thought. What a pity I didn't get his phone number -
but I suppose that would have seemed very dubious! A mature woman like
me! What would it look like! Anyway he was gone now?.she was ready for
morning coffee at home.
The sun shone and she appreciated, as always, the new delicate green
leaves on the sycamores, beeches with their smooth grey bark, and
silver birch trees. The year was born again as she drove back into her
quiet avenue with its pleasant houses and gardens. Proudly she studied
their home as she parked in the drive, approving the warm red brick,
the gleaming large windows, fresh white paint work and timbered gables.
She was very fortunate, she reflected. Surely Jenny wouldn't let them
down? She recalled a young man with red hair, unshaven, in jeans - he
had driven a motorbike over their beautiful lawn! John had almost had a
fit!
She realised she was really dreading the evening.

Continuously busy taking down letters, answering the phone, typing,
making coffee, tea, chatting to her boss who was good to work for, head
of his own small but successful business, the momentous day passed
quickly for Jenny. Eventually, a nearby church clock chimed five
solemnly; she was free at last. Bob, training to be an accountant but
as yet without any professional qualifications at all, was due to
collect her outside. Would he be punctual? Together they would head for
their Waterloo! What would her mother think? Would Bob come up to
muster - he had a very mischievous streak and could be a real rebel,
caustic indeed, if he didn't approve of something or someone! Jenny was
very worried. So much depended on this. Their whole future. Bracing,
she asked herself if she could actually go it alone if the worst came
to the worst?.
Her heart pounding, she took the elevator down. Bob was waiting! She
fell into his arms. Oblivious of all but each other, they kissed. Then
Jenny climbed into Bob's red sports car. Fervently she gave him a pep
talk - all about how he must behave himself, act like a mature
gentleman, and make a really good impression. Bob laughed and drove off
quickly to turn down a side street.
Jenny studied him warmly but anxiously. He had thick fair hair which he
brushed back impatiently at times form his broad forehead. He was
clean-shaven and had a good strong face and chin with sensitive mouth
and blue eyes alive and sparkling, with a fresh, healthy complexion. He
was dressed casually but smartly in well-creased grey slacks, grey
tweed jacket, with shiny brown shoes, country-casual shirt and dark red
tie. Jenny felt pleased - he certainly looked the part! Surely?
Then in the apparently empty road, Bob laughed again, looked at her,
gave a large grimace, and accelerated. The car leapt forward?

A little pale, Elizabeth glanced at the large inexorable clock on the
mantel in the dining room. They were due at about 5.30pm. Fifteen
minutes to D-Day! She was on tenterhooks. She surveyed the sparkling
glass and dinner table complete with its host of golden daffodils. All
was about as perfect as she could make it.
Jenny was a Princess - had she found her Prince? What in heaven's name
would he be like? Short, tall, think, fat, strong, weak, kind, gentle,
arrogant or headstrong? John was as much of a stickler as she was - at
least so it must seem to Jenny, she knew. After all, it was of vital
importance, a truly major decision. Then she recalled that John and
herself had been just as young as Jenny when they had become engaged
all those happy years ago?
Hovering anxiously, her pulse racing, Elizabeth watched the clock and
waited for the sound of Jenny's key in the front door. It was time they
arrived. They were a little late?
Jenny seized Bob's arm urgently.
"Bob, you're driving too fast! Slow down - we don't want an accident
now of all times! Stop showing off!"
Jenny felt wretched. This whole thing wasn't going to work out! As she
watched a corner approaching, a large van pulled out of a side street
and approached them well over on their side of the road. Already
slowing, Bob swerved to his left. For split seconds they hovered on the
brink of disaster. Then the van was safely past. Bob gasped.
"Always drive as if the other person were a fool!"
"You can say that again!" said Jenny. "But it was a jolly good job I
warned you!"
Greatly relieved, she looked at her watch. They would soon be home - or
would they? Finally, they pulled slowly and carefully into the drive.
The house loomed. Jenny squeezed
Bob's arm.
"This is it! Let battle commence! Now Bob - remember what I told you
and behave yourself. Ma's a real stickler!"
"Whatever you say, madam!" Bob grinned infectiously, revealing even
white teeth, his young face open and friendly. But he gave Jenny a
wink.
Fumbling, nervously, Jenny finally found her key; she opened the large
white front door. They entered. Also taught and nervous, Elizabeth came
forward to greet them. Jenny took a deep breath.
Proudly, she said, "Ma, this is Bob!"
To Jenny's horrified gaze, Elizabeth's mouth fell open. Then she raised
her hands and exclaimed, "No - I don't believe it! It can't be! Is this
your boyfriend - surely not? It's impossible!"
Shocked and dismayed, horror-stricken, her heart plummeting, almost in
tears, her hands clenched, Jenny exclaimed in turn.
"Ma, how could you be so terrible? How could you say such things?
You're being too awful for words! How terrible of you! How
cruel!"
Jenny felt disbelief, wretched, sick at heart. She felt as if her
mother had slapped her viciously in the face.
"No - I'm sorry. I mean?"
Smiling, Bob took Jenny's arm. Fully relaxed, he said quietly and
easily. "It's all right, Jenny! It's all right! Your mother and I are
old friends. We met in the car park of the supermarket this morning.
Your mother's car had a puncture; I changed the wheel for her".
Elizabeth beamed, shook Bob's had firmly, and said joyfully, "He's a
real gentleman, Jenny. You have done the right thing at last!
Congratulations, dear!"
Engulfed by a great wave of happiness, Jenny looked at them both and
said "Oh, Ma - you really are a wonderful matchmaker! How terrific -
what a birthday!"
"A matchmaker?" laughed Elizabeth. "Perhaps I am. It's a miracle. Fate
can be kind as well as cruel! We'll celebrate with a bottle of your
father's favourite white wine. Come - it's all ready and
waiting".
Glad at heart, Elizabeth went into the kitchen.
Jenny and Bob embraced, closely and long, with a thankful kiss.
"There you are, you see", laughed Bob, eyes alight, still holding her
close.
"You really are my Natural Selection!"
Jenny laughed, too, eyes shining, face radiant.
"Clever you! And everyone agrees!"
Ecstatically happy, Jenny, at the age of discretion, led her Prince
into the dining room for a toast in celebration.