Jenny slowed as she came to the front gate of her Victorian built home. She took deep breaths, her chest rising and falling. Bending forward she braced her legs and massaged her thighs, sinking to her haunches she placed her hands on the gate and pushed hard, counteracting the force by pressing her feet into the ground. Slowly she rose, twisting slightly one way then the other. She stretched her arms sideways and thrust her chest out, sucking in air deeply. Gradually her breathing eased and she opened the gate and walked to the door. Letting herself in she took of her running shoes and headed upstairs for the shower. She smiled at the thought of the five miles she had just run, it had been hard but worth it, her head was clear, her body sang and all was right with her world. At sixty nine she was fitter than most forty year olds.
An hour later she emerged from the shower and wrapped in a towel walked to her bedroom. She rubbed body lotion into her legs, chest, stomach and arms. Satisfied she rolled on some deodorant and dressed in the clothes she had laid out before she left. She took the towel and returned it to the bathroom, carefully placing it on the towel rail. Hearing the phone she quickly bounced downstairs.
"Hi Handsome," she answered noticing it was her partner's number on the display.
"Hallo gorgeous girl, how was the run?"
"Hard, I've been slacking recently and my legs are like lead now." She grinned as she heard his mock noises of sympathy.
"OK well, I can help you there when I get back, so keep that thought in your head."
"Bastard, you just want to touch me," she laughed.
"Busted, yup, I want to touch you, why? because you're a beautiful, talented, sexy, woman,"
"With big tits and a hungry pussy," she launched in, giggling and blushing.
"Enough! You wicked wanton you, look I've got to go, we're all prepped and I'm about to start creating yet another string of masterpieces. Speak to you later, love you, miss you..." he blew a kiss and hung up.
She grinned and replaced the receiver, a little red faced and aroused. Walking to the kitchen, a coffee beckoned so she made for the Nespresso and pulled a cup from the cup tree on the worktop. The rest of her morning was spent on the household accounts, a call to her accountant and her fund manager. She ate a light lunch, popping the dish in the washer and wiping the surfaces clean. The afternoon she spent immersed in her e-reader, finishing the book she had started the previous day. She saw it was about four pm, so she made herself a mint tea and ate a pear. The phone rang and she saw it was Gary, her partner again.
"Hi, is there a problem?" she asked, Gary was almost at the end of service so a call was most unusual.
"Yes, and no, look have you seen any news today?" he asked agitatedly.
"No I've not looked, what's happened?"
"The houses in James Street are in danger of collapse, a sinkhole has opened up, it's right along the road and about eighteen feet deep. They think it's old chalk mines, apparently the land around there is riddled with them. The rain and frost affect the ground above until eventually it collapses. They need to move everyone out, ASAP."
"My God that's awful, has anyone been hurt?"
"Luckily no, but obviously people are in need of accommodation..." his voice trailed away,
"Why are you telling me this Gary?"
"My wife and children are living in one of the houses, it belongs to my mother in law..."
"OK, I understand..." She paused, her bottom teeth gripping her top lip. "Of course they must come here, do you need me to do anything, apart from make up some beds in the spare rooms?"
"Jenny you are an angel, honestly. I'll get them to come round when they can. I should be back at my normal time, I love you so much, bye."
Jenny stared ruefully at the receiver. So his wife was on the scene again, with his children and her mother. What can I do though? she thought. I don't want to upset him, yet why had she turned to him? she held the thought as she sat down. Gary had been her lover for nearly seven months. He had seen his sons many times during this time, sometimes bringing them to Jenny's, other times taking them to the pictures or the park or the zoo.
She must have dozed, or become unaware of how long she had been sitting there before she was aware of her surroundings again. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, and was startled by the doorbell. Gathering herself she went to the front door. When she opened the door Gary's wife, children and Mother in Law stood on the step. Gloria, the Mother in Law held a battered suitcase, the boys backpacks. Sue, his wife had a large shopping bag and an even larger case on wheels. Jenny smiled,
"Come on in, I'll put the kettle on, boys do you want squash, lemon or apple and blackcurrant?" She held the door wide as they trooped in, closing it as Gloria dropped her case on the hall floor.
"Auntie Jenny we want apple and blackcurrant," said Ryan, the eldest. Brad the younger brother nodded.
OK, take Mummy and Nanny into the lounge, I'll be right in."
The boys grabbed the old fashioned door handle and led the women into the large lounge. Jenny headed for the kitchen and set about making tea, squash and rounding up some biscuits and plates. She heard a noise and turned to see Sue in the doorway. She went to speak but instead burst into tears. Jenny's heart broke and she went to her and wrapped her arms round her, feeling Sue's chest heaving against her as she cried. It seemed ages, but was barely a few minutes, before Sue stopped and held Jenny too.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean..."
"Don't worry, it must be a terrible shock, is your mother going to be OK?"
"Mum's holding it in, but she's probably going to lose everything. The whole road is in a very dangerous state. We had twenty minutes to get what we could. Now it's all cordoned off and there are barriers around the street. They've got a security patrol, but..." she sobbed again.
"OK, don't worry, there's room here and I can help your Mum, if needs be, to recover other things when they allow."
Sue sobbed a thank you and held Jenny tight. Slowly they parted and Jenny made the tea and carried the tray into the lounge. Inside, Gloria was sitting at the table playing cards with the boys. They broke off and gratefully accepted their drinks. Gloria took her tea and moved to an armchair. Jenny offered her a biscuit, but so shook her head in a no.
"Gloria, can I call you Gloria? Whatever happens, you can stay here for as long as you need to. If you are allowed back to get things I will come with you, OK?"
"Thank you, Jenny. I realise this is not ideal for you, but..."
"Never mind about me, it's hardly ideal for you and Sue, or the boys. We'll just have to rub along together until you get back into your house." Jenny smiled and felt Sue's hand on her shoulder.
"When will Daddy be home?" Brad asked.
"Your Dad will be home shortly, I'm sure he'll be glad you're all safe too."
As if he had been waiting for the cue, they heard the door open and Gary come in. Seconds later he was in the lounge cuddling the boys. Sue stood and Gary extricated himself from the boys and hugged Sue. Gloria stood shakily and Gary moved to hug her too. Finally he turned to Jenny and kissed her before hugging her tightly. He murmured a thanks into her ear, she rubbed her hand on his arm.
"I'm so sorry about this," he began, Sue shook her head,
