Put to the test

PUT TO THE TEST
By
Jan Harrison-Brown

"It's hopeless! I'm never going to remember this lot." And on that Josh
slammed shut the text book.
"Now that's no way to revise." June bought a mug of steaming chocolate
and placed it in front of him.
"It's getting late.," she said massaging his shoulders.
"Hmm, just what the doctor ordered," he said rotating his stiff neck,
then rubbing his weary eyes.
"Maybe, you're trying too hard, love." She said. "Come on
bedtime."
She gave him a motherly hug.
"Perhaps you already know everything, but don't know it." She said,
pecking him on the cheek. But this irritated him. He didn't like all
this mushy, sloppy mumzy stuff.
"I know your only trying to make me feel better," he said matter of
factually. "You know how important it is for me to pass, especially
now!" The desperateness in his voice made her step back.
He didn't have to remind her, how Josh had struggled to find work. It
was June's part-time job that had supported the both of them all this
time. When she thinks of all the things she went with out. How hard it
had been to make ends meet.
Finally; he'd got a job in a local factory. It wasn't what he wanted.
But, he'd worked hard and now it held an opportunity for a side ways
promotion in the sales department.
"If it's a side ways promotion, how is it a promotion at all?" She'd
asked.
"More responsibility, a company car." Josh explained.
"You mean longer hours and less pay." She said rather tactless.
However, it did depend on how well he did in this damn test. The
written she felt he'd sail through. He'd certainly studied hard enough.
It was the practical. She hadn't seen him in action. It's got to be a
confidence thing. She told herself.
"That's it. Confidence."
"Hu! You say something?
"No, love just thinking allowed." She smiled to herself pleased that
she had found a solution to her dilemma. But most of all, she knew he
was starting at the bottom and it wouldn't take him long to move up
that promotional ladder once he was given the opportunity to prove
himself. He had those vital ingredients every employer wanted. Loyalty;
stamina and determination.
June was worried though. About this obsession with study! He'd stay up
well after midnight cramming so he was one step in front of Samantha
Briggs. The other up and coming employee. As Josh put it "She stood
between him and his brand new car."
The late nights were affecting his personality. He became fiery and
miserable and they argued. They never used to. But, June loved him and
it seemed a small price to pay. Especially knowing, how much he wanted
this job and not forgetting the precious lump of male ego.
To June it didn't matter what he did. She was still proud of him. She
would always be proud of him.
Josh had taken a lot of stick off the old guy next door. Mr.
Thompson.
Always giving advice where non was needed. Dropping hints about the
younger generation. Not wanting a proper job. Not knowing the value of
money.
"When I was his age, I went to work on me bike." He shouted over the
fence, "and cum home on it... after doing a twelve hour shift."
"Things have changed a bit now days, Mr. Thompson," Joan had politely
shouted back.
She did feel a little apprehensive though. About the sort of job Josh
applied for. It would take him away from home. Over night stays.
Business meetings. He'd never gone away to work before. Would he cope?
Worst still, would she cope? The thought made her cringe and even more
so. She'd miss him.
Well if that is what he wants out of life, she would just have to be
brave and accept it, she thought. Help him as she promised his Father,
just before he died.

The dreaded test day got nearer and Josh's temper became unbearable. It
was getting June down.
The nurse said she needed to rest more and worry less.
"If you don't," said the nurse, "your blood pressure will go sky high
then you'll be admitted to hospital." She looked at June sternly.
"But you haven't tried living with Josh! Jus...jus... just lately," she
stammered. "He's a different person." Her eyes welled up.
"There now," The nurse came and sat down beside her, feeling a little
guilty for scolding her. "It happens to each and every one of them at
some time." The nurse squeezed her hand. "Believe me they all go
through the same transition. He feels it's his turn to look after you
now."
June tried so hard to listen to her reasoning, but she was just
dreading going home. She knew he'd be waiting to hear how she'd gone on
at the clinic and as always she'd just say, "Every things, fine nothing
to worry about." Even though she knew differently.
All the way through dinner he moaned about the up and coming test, and,
Samantha, and how much he had forgotten .
"It's not fair. She's been with the company five minutes..."
"Josh calm down love, you still have two weeks left." She said as
quietly as she could. She could already feel her pulse starting to
race.
He ignored her as usual and started again. "Not shown any loyalty. Only
last week she was ill... The flu... I ask you... How much time have do
I ..."
"Josh! For goodness sake..." The remark came from an inner strength she
didn't know she had. "&;#8230;Just give it a rest... will you..."
She hadn't shouted at him like that, not in years.
It's easy for you to say," he attacked, "You passed first time....
ME!.... it's my third attempt and no guarantees!"
His angered face turned to one of concern.
"I feel sort of dizzy," said June "and the rooms going round." She
lunged forward for the sink. "Ohh."
Josh leapt forward to catch her.
All June could do was moan, "Hooo...Arrr...."
"Jane it can't be! It's not due for another three weeks."
"I know, ring the hospital."
He fumbled with the phone. "It's engaged!"
"Try Mum." She groaned again.
"She's not answering." Beads of sweat were starting to form on Josh's
forehead.
"It's Friday, bingo night, I'd forgotten.," she mumbled.
He could feel panic rising, "I thought you had hours before a baby
comes. It says so in the manual."
June was trying so hard to be patient.
"Trouble is, the baby hasn't learnt to read yet!" She quipped.
"This is no joking matter June," he said sharply
"Do I look as if I'm laughing?"
"I'll ring for an ambulance."
She was now rolling around the floor Making strange noises. Josh
flicked through the manual to see if it suggested anything.
" I just knew this book was a waste of money!" He remarked. We should
have bought that other one," As if June really cared.
"There's no time! We'll have to drive to the hospital."
"Drive, your in no fit state to drive." Josh was nearly in tears as the
shock of him becoming a first time father was dawning on him and coming
closer by the second.
Junes temper was shot. "Not me stupid...YOU!"
"ME! I haven't passed my test."
She struggled to fasten the catch on her case.
"I have, I'll be sitting next to you, and you'll be fine." She
straightened rubbing her hands over her beautiful tummy.
Josh's colour had gone from red through crimson and back to a faint
tinge of green. June spun round and glared at him.
"You have two choices," she snarled, "Drive me to the
hospital&;#8230; now or&;#8230; deliver the baby yourself!"
And with that she folded into two. "Ohhh!"
It didn't take them long in Junes little car. That time of night the
roads were pretty quiet. He drove in complete silence and June didn't
want to distract him but every few minutes she'd squeeze his leg for
encouragement and to let him know she was there.
He tackled the dual carriage way and two roundabouts with ease. A
couple of kids, joy riding cut him up at a junction, but Josh didn't
make a single mistake. He just took it all in his stride. He checked
his mirror, signaled and pulled up outside the maternity unit entrance.
Sweat was pouring from his forehead like twinkling stars. He looked a
wreck, but wasting no time he ran round and opened the door for her. He
helped her to her feet; and June gave him a smacking big sloppy
kiss.
"There's no time for that now." he hissed, wiping her kiss off and
checking if anyone had noticed. "You know I don't like to be public
about such things." He blushed and dropped his head as a couple of
dotting grandparents passed by.
"Oh yes there is." June had a naughty glint in her hazel brown
eyes.
"The baby?"
"The babies fine...false alarm... I guess." A cheeky grin
emerged.
Josh gave a disbelieving look. "Well... we'll just get you checked over
anyway."
"No need." She shrugged her shoulders, "You drove like a true
professional, and I'm sure where ever your father is he'll be just as
proud of you, as I am. Especially now you have your promotion." She
kissed him again and got back into the car. Sitting radiantly with her
arms folded across her bump.

It took him a while to get things into perspective.
"I did...? He is...? The job...? How do you know?" Baffled he got back
into the car.
"It's easy...silly," she remarked, pulling him across to her and giving
him a big squeeze.
"They could have given the job to Samantha any time. She can drive. Has
done for years. They're obviously waiting till you pass your test. The
jobs yours."
As for the evenings events, she'd planned the whole thing. But she was
right. He'd driven perfectly. He'd certainly passed the
test&;#8230;

words 1700