The following day, at the Zoo where Clemens worked, he’d just made it halfway through the day’s paperwork with some time remaining before lunch so had a few minutes he could take to check over the rest of the day’s tasks. Even with the events Jenny had told him of yesterday, there was still the knowledge that there were those in that same office that either supported her, or at least made sure to stick to the rules. Who was part of which group he didn’t know, but that they were there at all was still comforting to him.
A knock on the door pulled him from that train of thought. “Come in.” He spoke up to see Jacob Pertwee enter his office. “Something I can do for you?”
“There is, actually.” He closed the distance to stand just in front of Clemens’ desk. “The Wednesday, three weeks from now.”
“What of it?” Clemens queried, curious as to where he was going with this.
“The boys and me have arranged something for that night, and you’re the…Guest of Honour.” He answered with a smile on his face.
“I…sssee.” Clemens had an idea as to where he was going with this. It could only mean one thing. “Bachelor Party?”
“Got it in one. The last time you’ll be able to enjoy one as a Single Man.” His grin widened.
“I take it that I…don’t have a choiccce in the matter.”
“No, you don’t. Two weeks until the party. David’s the one setting it all up.”
“All right then.” In truth, Clemens was a little nervous given that David’s idea of a good party usually involved a lot of loud music, booze, and women. “Wasss there any other reassson for your being here?”
“Actually yes there is. Andrew’s illness flared up again, he won’t be able to make it in this afternoon.”
“Ssso sssomeone elssse needsss to take on hisss workload.” Clemens stated.
“That’s the jist of it.” Jacob’s smile having left him now.
“Then…have Amy go over hissss paperwork, and the othersss sshhould be able to manage the feedingsss without him.” Clemens worked out after checking the staffing they had available. “Anything elssse?”
“That’s about it. For now.”
“Very well then, I’ll jussst need to update thisss to account for Andrew’sss abssenccce before I move on. You’re free to go now.”
He watched for a moment as Jacob left, sighing as he loaded up the staff records to enter Andrew’s absence into it and the reason why. At least it would only be temporary and he should be back in shape by no later than the end of the week. Just as well as once he and Jenny were on their Honeymoon, he’d need someone to cover for his lengthy leave.
Thinking about that brought up some other issues. They’d only just received the invites that had been prepared for them, but at least both he and Jenny were happy with them so they could be sent out to everyone who’d be attending. There was a lot that still needed doing, but that was one more item they could check off the list of what needed doing before the Big Day.
[+]
At the IRS Office where Jenny was employed, her day was different. Not better or worse, just different. And she at least had no pranks pulled on her today, at least, so far. She was just about to close out her computer before lunch when a rapping came from her office door. Looking up she saw Helen, mousy-brown hair tied back.
“Excuse me? But do you have a moment?” She asked with a very-slightly reedy voice.
“I do now, something the matter?”
“No, but I thought you should know that the girls and I have been preparing something for you.”
“I see, and what is it?”
“A party, to celebrate your upcoming marriage. It’s been set for the Sunday Night that’s..” She took a moment to recall the exact date. “The week before the marriage itself.”
“Ah…” Jenny replied, now on the same page as Helen. “Who’s attending?”
“Oh, I’ll leave that hidden, until the day.” Helen answered with a slight giggle. “But I wanted you to know about it.”
“And thanks for letting me know. Now, I think it’s time for some lunch, don’t you?” She ended the discussion as she got up and they made for the cafeteria in the next floor up.