Chapter 20

The New Normality

Idioms - Look on the bright side - Always see the positive sides of things.  No point in crying over spilled milk - do not worry or be sad about mistakes that have been made.  To be getting in each other's hair - to be in each other's private space.  To broach a subject means to talk about a sensitive subject.

And, now The Bartons chapter 20 - Ken and Jean are having elevensis.  Dave is working in the big field.  He is repairing the fence,

I can't wait for this wedding to be over. All the fuss.  Who's going to pay for this? Who's going to pay for that?  And, always, what will Jane's mother say?  

You're right, Ken.  But, look on the bright side.  Everything passes sooner or later.  Soon, this wedding will be a thing of the past.  Life will be normal again.

What is normal, Jean?  No, no.  Things will never be the same again.

Why not, Ken?   Life will go on as if nothing had happened.  You’ll see.  No point in worrying over things that may never be.

Well, I wonder how well Dave really knows Jane.  And, what does Jane see in Dave?  Do you remember the singing lessons, Jean?   And, do you remember how Jane ditched Dave for a farmer who had more money!  

How could I forget, Ken?  Still, there's no point in crying over spilled milk. Dave and Jane know what they want.

And, I've been giving some thought to where they're going to live. We don't want to be getting in each other's hair, do we?

I haven't thought of that, Ken.

Well, I've been giving it some thought, Jean.  Our old barn.  With a bit of thought and good planning, we could easily convert it into a perfect home. And, thinking ahead, Jean, maybe it would be the perfect solution for our old age, too.

Good thinking, Ken.  I must ask Jane's mother what she thinks.

You will do nothing of the sort, Jean.  We're going to ask Jane and Dave what they think.  They will be living there, not Jane's mother. And, as a matter of fact, Jane and Dave will be joining us for tea this afternoon.  We can broach the subject then.

Well, you seemed to have decided everything yourself, Ken. So, what can I do?

How about a nice cup of tea and a nice slice of cherry cake?

It's on its way.

Questions  - Will life be the same after the wedding?   What is going to change after the wedding?   Do Jane and Dave really know what they're doing?  How can we be sure?   Where can Dave and Jane live?  Will converting the barn be an advantage for Ken and Jean?  How?  Why doesn't Ken want to discuss this plan with Jane's mother?  Is Ken happy with Jane's mother?  What do you think of Jane's mother?

  

 

Chapter 19 The Cold light of Day

The Cold Light of Day.

Vocabulary - Idioms - To bend someone's ear - To ask them to listen to you.  It's going to set me back a lot of money means it's going to cost me a lot of money.  To foot the bill means to pay the bill.  If something takes the bisquit means it's something totally bad (coming 50 minutes late really took the bisquit).

Ken has just come into the kitchen to get a quick cup of coffee.  Jean is baking a cake. 

Ken, can I bend your ear for a minute, please?  We really should talk about how much Dave's wedding's going to set us back.  

I'm sorry, Jean.  Right now, I've really got some important things on my mind.

Somethings more important than your son's wedding!

For example, Jean.  The tractor needs servicing, the milking equipment needs renewing, and, the milking herd isn't getting any younger.  Let's discuss money and Dave's wedding after dinner this evening.  OK?

Well, it's only this, Ken.  I got a letter from Jane's mother this morning.  She said some interesting things.

Go on, Jean. You've made me curious..

In a nutshell, Ken,   because we're very  rich farmers and they're as poor as church mice, we should foot the bill for the entire wedding. 

Well, I can uderstand they are poor.  Vicars hardly earn anything at all. Which is OK.  All they do is pray and bless people and work a couple of hours a week on Sundays. They should be happy to get what they get.

And, that's not all.  Jane's mother wants to do all the planning. Date, time, reception and everything else as well.  And, there's more.  Jane's mother has already decided where the honeymoon's to be.

Oh really!

Jane's father's brother owns a caravan. It's parked on a lonely farm in the far north of Scotland. He's offered it to Dave and Jane for half price.  Of course, Jane will have to do all the cooking and cleaning and everything else. A self catering honeymoon!

Well, that really does take the bisquit, Jean.  You'd better leave it up to me.   I'll soon put the holy duo in their place.

I think you should phone them, Ken.

No.  I have  a better  idea.  We'll invite them round for lunch on Sunday.  It'll give us time to think. Remember, Jean. Always keep a clear head if you can.  I know you don't always find that so easy, Jean.

You're right, Ken.  Let's have a nice cup of tea and a nice slice of cherry cake.

That's what I call keeping a clear head, Jean.

Questions - Why does Jean want to bend Ken's ear?  Has Ken got time to talk to Jean?  What's on Ken's mind?  What did Jane's mother demand in her letter?  Are vicar's really so poor?  Tell us about the plan's Jane's mother has made for the honeymoon?  Why would it be a good idea to involve Jane and Dave in the planning?