Hello, this is mine and MichaelaJayne1's first Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em fic so we do hope you enjoy it. DISCLAIMER: as much as we wish we did we own nothing!
Betty rolled over to her husband's side of the bed to find it empty; she turned on the light to find her husband Frank pacing up and down.
"Frank what are you doing out of bed? It's two in the morning," Betty yawned.
"I can't sleep can I? I don't like the fact that in a few hours time there will be another man in his house. Nah Betty I'm the man of this house," replied Frank.
"Frank, he's only going to be here for a couple of days."
"A couple of days, well where's he going to sleep? We've only got two bedrooms and one is ours and the other is Jessica's," moaned Frank.
"Well I guess he'll sleep with Jessica, in her room."
Frank's jaw dropped in shock at his wife's suggestion.
"Have him sleep in her room, with Jessica also in it? No, no I not having that sort of thing going on under my roof, he'll have to sleep in the shed," Frank exclaimed in a bout of rage.
"Let him sleep in the shed? Frank we can't do that, if it bothers you that much he can sleep on the sofa, though I don't know what Jessica will say about that," his weary wife sighed.
"I guess that could work, but how do I know he won't just sneak up to her room? Looks I'm going to have to keep watch," Frank replied more for his own benefit than Betty's.
"Frank, I'm too tired for this conversation at this time in the morning. Please can we discuss this when we have had some sleep, I'm worn out, come back to bed," his wife pleaded.
"Alright, alright, don't go on Betty, my system is already upset enough as it is."
Frank climbed back into bed and turned off the light before tossing and turning trying to get comfortable, in a hope that he would drop off into a deep slumber. Unfortunately for Frank nothing was working, not even counting sheep which always helped him sleep in the past.
Frank and Betty hadn't seen Jessica since September last year when she went off to university for the first time, of course they spoke to her on phone. Frank was always ringing her as he missed her deeply and was so proud of her getting into university on a scholarship. However, it wasn't until the previous afternoon when she called to tell them that she was coming home and was bringing someone special with her. When Frank asked her who this special person was, she informed him it was a boy; Frank couldn't remember the rest of the conversation because he had passed out.
Frank was woken at seven o'clock by the alarm. He yawned and stretched, feeling more tired than when he went to bed. He ambled his way down the stairs to already find Betty slaving away in the kitchen, making preparations for dinner.
"Did you get back to sleep alright Frank?" Asked Betty.
"Nah, I was tossing and turning all night, I'm worrying Betty."
"Yes I know, your worrying kept me up the half of the night too." Betty sighed.
"Well I'm sorry, I don't know if I like this idea of Jessica bringing a boy home."
"Why not? She is 21 Frank, it's only natural for her to have a boyfriend." Betty replied, smiling at the thought of being 21 again.
"Well it's like my mother always used to say: you should never bring a special someone home until you think they are special enough for them to come home with you, or something like that."
"Frank you best be on your best behaviour when they come tonight, this meeting is really important to Jessica. Please don't mess it up." Betty replied, winning her husband over by fluttering her eyelashes.
"I will Betty, I will. So long as he gives me a straight and reasonable answer when I ask him his intentions towards Jessica. I want to make sure he's taking this courtship seriously."
"Oh Frank, will you just drop it. I've ironed out your best suit so don't mess it up when you go to your interview this afternoon as I want you looking presentable when Jessica gets home."
"Oh, I think I might call off the interview Betty, my trouble's started up again."
"Oh no, Frank you won't. I have a feeling we are going to need all the money we can get," Betty sighed pushing her messy, newly dyed, strawberry blonde hair out of her face.
"Oh Betty, don't worry, I'll get the money somehow. I always strive to provide for you and I haven't let us get homeless yet. I've got an audition for a talent contest next week. The first prize is £2,000." Frank beamed as he imagined being handed a cheque in front of an audience who were on their feet cheering and calling out his name.
"Don't get carried away Frank, I am sure there will be lots of impressionists who will be entering," Betty said as she began folding the cake mixture.
"Maybe so but I bet they will remember F.W Spencer," he replied proudly.
"I am sure they won't forget you in a hurry, Frank." Betty replied, handing her husband the box of cornflakes. "You will remember to get a couple of bottles of wine on your way home, won't you?"
"I think there is still a bottle of Mum's homemade wine I was saving for a special occasion. We'll use that."
"I don't think that's a wise idea, Frank."
"Why ever not, Betty? Mum's homemade wine was the talk of the town; it was better than all my attempts."
"I'm sure it was," Betty said stifling a laugh, "I just mean that that stuff is over 30 years old and we don't want our guest being ill do we?"
"Nah we don't do we. Betty, I've just had a thought, do you think Jessica's friend is a vegetarian? Only we haven't asked."
"Relax Frank; I am sure Jessica would have told us if he had any special dietary requirements. Have your breakfast and go and get ready for your interview, it is going to be a busy day and I don't need you under my feet."
After Frank had finished his breakfast he made his way back upstairs to put his lucky suit on which he always wore for his interviews. Frank picked up his empty briefcase from the floor beside his bed and made his way downstairs where Betty was dusting vigorously.
"Oh Frank, the suit does look nice," Betty beamed.
"The trousers feel a bit tight," Frank replied, pulling at them uncomfortably.
"Oh no Frank, they are not," Betty replied kindly.
"Betty, I have a good feeling about today, I think today is going to be my lucky day, like my mum always said: 'Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better'."
"Let's hope your mum is right, please Frank do try your best today at your interview." Betty scolded, worrying about for how much longer they could go on like this.
"I will Betty, I always try. Just imagine, this time tomorrow I could be at work and no longer under your feet, imagine that." Frank smiled.
A breath-taking grin crept across Betty's face which was instantly noticed by Frank.
"It hasn't been that bad as it?" Frank began, feeling rather let down by his wife. "I am helpful aren't I Betty? I mean all the little jobs I do around the house, they wouldn't get done if I wasn't here, it's a good thing you have me, Betty."
"Of course it is Frank, I can't imagine life without you. But I do imagine quite often, what it would be like with you being out of the house all day, and working full time as well," Betty sighed.
"Well that's nice isn't it." Frank said turning away from his wife.
"Oh no Frank, I don't mean it like that," Mrs Spencer said to Frank's back. "It's just it is unfair you're always having to find a job like this, I just hope the manager gives you the chance you deserve, today," she said rubbing his shoulders affectionately.
"Don't worry Betty; I can feel it in my bones, today going to be a good day." Frank smiled, taking Betty tightly in his arms.
Frank leant in and kissed Betty tenderly on the lips before making his way over to the coat peg in the hallway, pulling on his Humphrey Bogart raincoat and placing his beret on top of his slightly greying head.
"How do I look Betty?" He asked proudly displaying his attire for her to see.
Betty managed to suppress a giggle before replying: "Oh Frank you look very smart, you best get going, you don't want to be late."
"No you're right, I'll see you later Betty, keep your fingers crossed for me," her husband grinned.
"Frank I've got everything crossed for you, don't forget to smile and remember everything is told you."
Frank stepped out the front door and made his way down the high street towards the new Sainsbury's which had recently been built in town.