Jack, Deirdre and Me

Jack, Deirdre and Me is a story familiar to the many who have been confronted with the dilemma of their best friend, sibling or child becoming romantically involved with a person who they instinctively consider unsuitable.

When a 12 year old Mark is saved by Jack from the attention of an older bully at the school bus stop, it kick starts a bond of friendship set to last a lifetime. They are inseparable until in their late teens Jack becomes involved with Deirdre, who is seeking an early exit from a stifling home life.

Mark and Deirdre struggle to achieve a rapport and it becomes clear she has an agenda for Jack which, if she has her way, will exclude his close friends. Following Jack and Deirdre’s rather sudden marriage, the enmity grows between her and Mark as she continues to put a greater stranglehold on her husband.

For the next 40 years or so, Mark and Deirdre sabre rattle with each other, often pushing the boundaries of not wanting to unduly upset Jack who avoids confrontation with both of them by ignoring the problem as best he can and concentrating on running his business.

The friction eventually boils to a dramatic climax which neither Mark or Deirdre could have wanted or predicted.