August 2014

'You want me to play housekeeper?'

'I can't say hosting is my strong point' Bernie said with a smile. 'But I am expected to hold a meeting every month and I can't say that I know where to start. An untidy mess of cucumber sandwiches won't cut it. I need something much better than that.'

'I can supply almost anything you want. I can even arrange them on pretty plates for a bunch of men who couldn't care less if they were on paper. Why do you want me to stay?'

Bernie looked off to the side a little, bracing herself to say what she wanted. It wasn't something she'd had much practice with.

Serena waited for a moment, then put her out of her misery to exclaim 'oh! You want a wife!'

Bernie's face reddened in a most fetching manner. She took a deep breath and looked up. 'I'd pay you for your time.'

'I bloody well hope so. I charge a standard rate. How many hours are we talking?'

'Two, maybe three…hopefully no more than that.'

Serena tilted her head, thinking it over. It was doable. Bernie waited. She felt like she was asking too much but she really wanted some backup.

'Deal. I won't behave badly if they won't.'

Bernie smiled and nodded. Serena listed off the pastries and sandwiches she would provide.

'Whatever you think is appropriate.'

Serena quizzed her on allergies and intolerances and when she was satisfied with the plan, departed with assurance that Bernie would be known as one of the best hosts in the clergy after this. Bernie certainly hoped so. She would learn that most things that Serena McKinnie set out to achieve, was achieved admirably. The guests, fellow Reverends from other villages were delighted by the high tea set out for them for the new, rather contemporary but cordial member of their group.

Serena was of course, effortlessly charming, joining in on their discussions without rocking the boat. She made Bernie feel like the husband. Bernie secretly watched her over her teacup, she envied the way she made it look easy. Even in her previous life, Bernie had never mastered the art of small talk, quite a bugbear of her ex-husband's. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realised that she never had to go to one of those stuffy gatherings again. Maybe Marcus should have married Serena instead, she was more his speed. But then Bernie never would have met her and she couldn't imagine her life without Serena now.