Wishful Thinking

A break from her hectic life was all Jane needed – but that was never going to happen!

HEY, Jane! I haven’t seen you in ages!” Jane spun around and found herself face to face with her friend Helen.

She hesitated a moment and cast a worried look towards the post office where she was heading.

She was too busy to stop for a chat. But Helen had other ideas.

The next thing Jane knew, she felt herself being enveloped and hugged her within an inch of her life.

“We haven’t spoken in so long. I’ve missed you. Have you got time for a coffee?” Jane wanted to say no. She had letters to post, shoes to take to the cobblers, a new pair of trousers to buy for her little boy, Sean, and balloons to buy for Amelia’s party.

But there was something reassuring about seeing Helen again, something welcoming and fun, feelings she hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Oh, you must have time for a coffee,” Helen continued, without waiting for Jane’s reply.

“Come on, I’ll buy. We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”

Jane let Helen lead her to the coffee shop. She glanced at her watch and breathed a sigh of relief.

She could manage half an hour with her friend before she needed to go.

She had a tea party to prepare for her daughter Amelia’s twelfth birthday.

There never seemed to be enough time to get everything done.

Helen bought two large frothy coffees and two slices of delicious, warm and gooey chocolate cake.

The coffee shop belonged to a large chain, with identical tables and staff wearing uniforms and jaunty hats.

Jane sank into her chair and looked across the table to Helen.

“It’s lovely to see you,” she said. “But I’m afraid I can’t stay long.” Helen’s face dropped. “Why ever not?”

Jane sighed and stirred the frothed milk around her cup.

“I’ve got a million things to do today; shopping first, then the post office, then getting the house ready for Amelia’s birthday tea.”

“How is little Amelia?” Helen asked.

“Not so little any more,” Jane replied. “It’s her twelfth birthday today.” Helen’s eyes grew wide. “Twelve? But it doesn’t seem like five minutes ago since she was born.”

“It’s scary how time flies.” Jane smiled.

“And Sean’s eight now. He’s growing out of all of his clothes faster than I can buy them.

“But never mind my kids, how are you, Helen? Still living the single life?”

“And loving it,” Helen replied with a cheeky smile.

“You always knew settling down with a family wasn’t for me.”

Jane sipped her coffee and glanced at her watch.

“Surely you don’t need to go yet?” Helen asked. Jane shook her head. “Not yet, but soon. I just wish there were more hours in the day so I could fit in everything I need to do.

“Running a home singlehanded with two children to look after is not easy.

“And even though I’m working part-time, money’s as tight as always.” Helen leaned forward. “You know what you need?”

“What?” Jane replied. “A fairy godmother to wave her magic wand and grant you three wishes. She’d sort your problems out.”

Jane leaned back in her chair and laughed.

“Now that sounds ideal. I could do with someone to give me a bit of support.”

“What would you ask her, if she appeared in front of you, right now?” Helen said.

“Don’t be so daft,” Jane said.

But Helen was deadly serious.

“No, really, go on. If you had a fairy godmother and she could wave her wand and give you three wishes, what would they be?”

Jane took a sip of coffee and a bite of the delicious cake. Then she looked out into the busy street.

“Well, another pair of hands would be good. I’d ask for someone to help me at home.

“It’s been tough since Brendan left.”

“And wish number two?” Helen said.

“I’d like to travel, see the world. I’ve been no further than my mum’s house in years,” Jane said.

“And wish number three?”

“Oh, this is getting silly,” Jane said, beginning to feel embarrassed.

“There’s no such thing as a fairy godmother. Who are we kidding?”

“No, go on, it’s just between us,” Helen said.

“Well, wish number three would be . . . are you sure you won’t laugh?”

“I’m sure.”

“I’d like to be famous,” Jane said. “There, I’ve said it.

“Not celebrity famous, just famous in a small way so that everyone knew my name.

“What would you wish, for Helen?”

Jane glanced at her watch and when she saw the time she gulped down the rest of her coffee and finished eating her cake.

“I’d wish you’d stop looking at your watch and come out for lunch with me one day.”

Jane stood and thrust her arms into her coat.

“I must go, Helen. But I’ll call you, I promise.”

Jane headed to the post office. When she arrived home later, her front door was unlocked.

There was only one other person who had a key and Jane felt her heart lift as she stepped into the house.

“Mum? It’s me, I’m home.”

“I’m in the kitchen, love,” Maureen called back.

Jane walked into the kitchen and kissed her mum on the cheek.

“The kettle’s on for tea,” Maureen said. “And I’ve made fairy cakes for Amelia.

“I was just about to start making sandwiches for the party, too.

“I thought you might appreciate an extra pair of hands today.”

“Mum, you’re an angel,” Jane said. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Just think of me as your fairy godmother.” Maureen laughed.

Jane stood stock still. “What did you say?”

“I said I’m a fair old grandmother,” Maureen repeated.

“Now don’t just stand there, let’s get busy making Amelia’s birthday tea.

“She’ll be home from school soon with her party friends in tow.”

The rest of the day went by in a blur as Jane and her mum supervised Amelia’s birthday.

When all was done, Jane thanked her mum and hugged her goodbye.

The following day, Jane headed to the office where she worked part-time.

As soon as she arrived, the first thing Jane did, after putting the kettle on, was to check her e-mail.

The usual requests to attend meetings sat in her inbox along with corporate messages she had no choice but to read.

And then she clicked open the last e-mail and her eyes opened wide in surprise.

It was from her boss, advising her he was sending her and a few of her colleagues on a training course.

The course was a residential one lasting a full week and it was to take place hundreds of miles from home.

As she read, a shiver ran down Jane’s back.

Hadn’t she mentioned to Helen just the previous day how much she’d like to travel?

Although, if she attended the training course she wouldn’t exactly be seeing the world, as she dreamed of.

She’d be spending the week in a beautiful part of the country instead, staying in a four-star hotel with a spa.

Jane’s heart dropped. She couldn’t leave the children and swan off on her own.

But then she read on. The e-mail said that after attending the training course Jane’s part-time job would be turned into full-time.

This would mean she’d be earning more money to spend on Amelia and Sean.

There was only one person she could ask to look after them and she resolved to speak to her mum.

When she did, Maureen jumped at the chance to spend a few days with her grandchildren.

****

The following week, Jane packed her small pull-along suitcase and headed to the railway station, secure in the knowledge that her mum and her children were going to get on just fine.

The train’s carriage was almost empty, and Jane savoured the peace and quiet.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had time on her own.

She checked her phone, made sure there were no messages from home, that no-one needed her, and then she settled back in her seat, gazed from the window and watched the scenery rushing by.

The hotel where the training course was being held looked every bit as luxurious as it had done online.

Jane felt a shiver of anticipation as she walked into the grand tiled reception hall.

With her room key in her hand, she took the lift to the fourth floor and found her room.

And what a glorious room it was, too.

It overlooked a lake and included a magical fourposter bed.

The next few days were busy, with Jane taking in as much as she could on her course.

She made notes, gave presentations and worked with others from her company in small groups.

She even joined in with drinks at the bar each evening and made some new friends.

And on the final day, before everyone headed home, there was a speech and a ceremony where awards were handed out.

Jane’s boss stood at the front of the glorious room overlooking the hotel’s lush grounds.

He gave a speech about how proud he was of his workforce, and how one person in particular deserved special recognition not only for their enthusiasm but for their kind and helpful support during the course.

Jane looked around, wondering who her boss meant.

Could it be Ken from accounts, she wondered, or Marie from the HR department?

She was so lost in her thoughts, that she missed her name being called.

The first she knew of it was when her colleagues around her began to applaud, and all eyes turned her way. “Me?” She gasped. “Jane? Would you like to come up to accept the award?” her boss called out.

Jane took a deep breath, stood and made her way to the front of the room.

Her boss handed over a small velvet box with the company logo on it.

“Fairy godmother,” he said.

“Sorry?” Jane said.

“I said you’re a very good worker,” her boss repeated, then he turned towards the audience in the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, another round of applause please for Jane Barker.”

Jane looked out into the room as her colleagues applauded and the strangest feeling ran through her.

Didn’t she tell her friend Helen that she wanted everyone to know her name?

****

After saying goodbye to those she had spent the last few days with, Jane handed her room key in to reception.

She asked the concierge if he could call a taxi for her to take her to the railway station with her case.

“Your wish is my command.” He smiled.

At the railway station, Jane headed to the platform to wait for her train.

She’d missed Amelia and Sean, and her mum, and couldn’t wait to see them again.

Just then, her phone beeped with a text.

It was her friend Helen, asking if she had time to meet for lunch in the coming days.

Jane quickly replied to say she’d love to.

She thought about Helen and the odd conversation they’d had days ago about her three wishes.

They’d all come true, in the most peculiar ways.

Now, the only thing Jane had left to wish for was that her train would arrive on time to take her home to her children. ■