The 25 Year Itch Chapter 17: The Final Chapter? free porn video

“Have a good journey and let’s keep in touch,” I said to Maggie as we saw her train approaching the platform.  I was trying to stay strong, and I wondered if she could hear that my voice was quivering.

“As in, you want me to let you know that I’ve arrived safely and then just check on how we both are every day, or keep you updated on what I’m doing?” Maggie looked a little sad as she spoke, which was something at least.  Up to this moment she had appeared rather too happy with events.

We had arrived in plenty of time for the train but had said very little until we could see that the direct service to Manchester was approaching.  My wife had a sizable suitcase with her, and we were saying our farewells on the platform as couples have done for years.

My wife looked like she was going on an important journey.  She had visited the hairdresser yesterday and her hair was newly styled with a medium layered cut that framed her face.  It was a warm August day and so it wasn’t out of place that her clothing showed plenty of skin.  She wore a light blue vest style top with spaghetti straps and a thin merino wool cream cardigan.  Her light cotton skirt stopped above the knee and on her feet she wore strappy sandals. 

To anyone on the station we must have looked like a normal married couple saying our goodbyes while one of us went to visit maybe a family member.

However, there were subtle differences that could only be noticed by those who knew my wife of over twenty-five years well.  They seemed to be so obvious to me.  

Her skirt was slightly shorter and lighter than she would normally wear, showing off her legs.  The skirt was flared and had a tendency to move as she moved, and her open toed sandals had the highest heels I had ever known her to wear. I noticed other men on the platform checking her out and watching how her skirt would lift in the light wind showing off even more of her bare legs.  

The scoop neck of the vest top showed the top of her pale small breasts.  She wore gold hoop earrings, newly purchased and very different from her normal style.  These were more brash than the subtle jewellery my wife had worn since I met her.  Her lips were a deeper red, and her eyes stood out more.  She had carefully applied quite a bit of make-up, which she rarely wore during the daytime.  It made her stand out more, rather than fade into the background in the way that she used to prefer.

A pair of large stylish shades were perched on top of her head. Another new purchase.

Her toenails had blue nail polish that matched the blue of her sandals.  I couldn’t remember her ever bothering with nail polish before.

Finally around her right ankle, she wore a small chain with a charm.

She was no longer so shy and didn’t look like a typical teacher and mother of two grown up children.  She projected style, confidence and independence.

I answered her question.

 “I’m not sure. Do what you feel best.  I’ll let you know what I think about keeping in touch later,” was my far from certain reply.

“Try and enjoy yourself without me. This is what we agreed,” Maggie said.She was right.  

The train pulled into the station and we shared a brief kiss and then we parted.  As she took her hand from mine, I noticed that, for the first time since our wedding, she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring.  I felt a pang of pain deep inside.  Suddenly all I wanted to do was to take her home and spend the evening drinking white wine in our garden.  Like we had done so many times over so many years.  But I had agreed to let her go.

Maggie boarded the train and I saw her find her seat.  A man in a suit was sitting in the seat opposite hers and as he saw her starting to lift her case to put it on the overhead rack, he stood up and took it from her and put it in place.  Maggie smiled in thanks and they started speaking as they both settled down for the journey.  This was a new confident Maggie, who was happy to speak to strangers. The man seemed pleased that she would be his traveling companion.  It seemed that they were already flirting with each other.

As the train pulled out I tried to hold myself together.  Maggie glanced up, saw me and gave a brief smile before turning back to listen to something the man was saying.  

Then my wife was gone.  I was left with a deep sense of loss.

I returned to my car and sat in the driver’s seat staring at the wall in front of me.  I could smell Maggie’s perfume reminding me of her presence.  Just a short while ago she had been in the seat next to me.  I tried to work out how I got here, and if I could move on.

I thought of that Saturday when we both cried in each other’s arms after our night out with our separate partners.  We didn’t speak for what seemed an age, even after the crying had stopped.  I don’t know whether we were hugging or just clinging on to each other to avoid having to face each other and talk.

As we held each other, I remember my phone buzzed in my pocket, indicating that I had a message.  I wondered if it was Elaine, and for a moment I was tempted to try and see if I was right.  Then Maggie’s phone buzzed too, and I immediately thought there was a fair chance it would be Michael trying to get her to respond to his earlier message.

I knew that we had to find a way to move forward. Maggie seemed to be in pieces as she didn’t move, her face still buried in my shoulder.  

The weather was still warm and sticky, but through the window I remembered that ominous dark clouds were gathering outside. Thunderstorms were forecast.  Despite the weather, I felt we both needed to take some time out and if we stayed at home, we’d end up doing our own chores and we’d not speak.  My brain felt too overloaded and I needed a chance to order my thoughts to make sense of things.  

I felt we shouldn’t rush to speak.  I wasn’t sure where our relationship was, but I believe that we should just take things slowly.

“I think we should go somewhere for a long walk.  We can talk when we’re ready.  Maybe we could ignore all messages on our phones today apart from any from the family.  We need to try and sort things out.  Work out where we go from here.”

Maggie didn’t reply quickly but I waited.  After a while she replied.

“I think that’s a very good idea.”

I was relieved that Maggie didn’t want to be apart from me at that point.  

We collected our rainproof walking gear and I drove us to a picturesque village in a forest a few miles away.  From there, we could take a riverside walk to the coast.  It was a long but easy walk that was well known to us.  For the first couple of miles, we walked in silence in sunshine.  Then clouds appeared again and it was clear that a shower was coming.

As the first drops of rain appeared, we put up our hoods and pressed on.  However, very quickly the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down. Near the path there was an old barn, with a large roof that had a large overhang creating a shelter. I grabbed Maggie’s hand and we ran to the shelter of the porch of the barn, as the rain quickly soaked our clothing.  We were wet and bedraggled but laughing as we reached the shelter with me pulling Maggie along

Standing there was an older couple who had also taken shelter. We were a bit embarrassed at the way we rushed up splashing through the newly formed puddles.  They had their arms around each other as they looked out at the rain.  We smiled at them and they smiled back.  We stood next to each other and looked across the trees and fields as the torrential rain fell.  The rain was punctuated by lightning and claps of thunder.  Maggie spoke to the other couple.

“It’s very dramatic and almost enjoyable, when you can watch it from a dry place.”

The couple smiled and nodded in agreement.

Are you from around here?” Maggie asked them.

The woman answered.

“We’re just staying for the weekend.  We live in London, but we’re celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary which was last week.  We had our honeymoon around here and we wanted to return.”

“40 years is amazing, congratulations.”

“Thanks, we still can’t quite believe it.  It doesn’t feel like it’s 40 years since we were last here.  It’s nice to see young lovers like you enjoying this area as we have over the years.”

“We celebrated 25 years recently.” I told them.

“You’re kidding.  You must have married when you were at school.  Congratulations to you,” said the man. “You look like you’re still very much in love.”

We were still holding hands.

“40 years still seems a way away right now, but we’ve made it to this point.”  Maggie’s reply made me feel more uncertain.

“It’s not always been plain sailing for us, we had our ups and downs, but I’ve never regretted being married to Bill for a single day.” Said the woman.

“We’re still as in love as we were when we married.” Confirmed Bill.

“That’s really nice to hear.  I’ve never regretted our marriage.” Maggie replied.

At least that’s something, I thought as I felt her hand grip mine a bit more tightly.

The rain started to subside.  We spoke with the other couple for a little longer about our respective families and the beauty of the area before we ventured out again as the sun started to come out.  Water was in the trees and on the grass and in puddles on the ground, creating a magical landscape of sparkling light.

We continued walking and continued holding hands. Our mood lifted as we walked in the sunshine after the rain.  We carried on for another 20 minutes or so until we arrived at the coast and to a pub where we decided to shelter as another shower threatened.  In the pub, we found a quiet table.  Neither of us felt like eating much so I got some snacks to nibble and a pint of beer for me and a fruit juice for Maggie.  She didn’t want any alcohol so soon after last night.

We started our drinks and snacks in silence.  The pub was noisy and so it wasn’t easy to speak, but eventually Maggie leaned close to me and said, “I want to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with you by my side.  I want to be able to walk with you in the forest when we’re older and get caught in the rain and hold hands like we have today.”

She gave me a peck on the cheek with her lips.

I felt tears beginning to form in my eyes again.  I answered her. “I don’t think we’re cut out to be swingers.”

Maggie looked confused.  “Is that what you think we are?”

“What do you think we’ve been doing?”

“I thought you wanted a hot wife.”

“Maybe I did, maybe I still do.  I don’t know.” I stuttered.

“I don’t think I could do what I did with many people.” Maggie said.  “The first time with Simon was exciting, but after that it didn’t feel right.  Kat became my friend and his partner, and you knew them both.  Maybe that means I don’t like swinging.  If that means we should be attending parties and having lots of partners.”

Maggie continued talking when it was clear I couldn’t think of the right thing to say.

“Michael was different to Simon, because he was someone I knew separately from you, and he is someone I had a connection with through school.  We were a good team, which surprised me.  I wasn’t looking forward to working with an unqualified ex-soldier, but he was intelligent, good at his job and very caring. As well as young and good looking.”

As Maggie described Michael in this way, I couldn’t help the familiar jealous rage building inside of me, but I took another sip of beer and avoided saying anything that might make us argue again or just stop talking.

Maggie looked at me and added: “I’m sorry but it’s true.  I think we have to face up to these things, so we can find a way forward.  I want to be honest, but I don’t want to keep hurting you.  I just said I want us to stay together.”

“Did you like the chain he gave you?” I asked, trying to make light of what I was hearing.

“I did, it was pretty and delicate and not the type of gift I might expect from him.”

“Look up the meaning of an anklet with the spade symbol.”

Maggie gave me a weary look but got out her phone and entered it.  She looked surprised and put her hand over her mouth.  Then she gave a little embarrassed smile.

“Come on, tell me what it says.” I prompted her.  “Just read it out.”

“It says, ‘if the anklet has the Spade symbol, usually accompanied with a tattoo of the playing card symbol with letter Q inside, it means a hotwife who sexually prefers black men.’”

“So are you still happy to wear your new anklet?”

“I don’t think any of our friends would know this.” Maggie replied.

“How do you know, some might and now you know as well.  Are you surprised?”

“No, it kind of makes sense.”

“How so?”

“Michael said it was a special present that he’d researched specially for me.  I think it was part of a running joke.”

“What do you mean.”

“After the London trip, Debbie and I had a conversation when she teased me about a meek white wife going out with a young black bull. I told Michael after work one day that he had been described by a friend as a bull.  We joked about Debbie’s strange comment.  I didn’t know what she really meant, but now the anklet makes sense.”

“Do you feel that it’s right for you?”

“I can hardly argue that it’s not, although I don’t want to be defined by it.”

“It would seem that you’re now a ‘queen of spades.  Ready to have sex with black men.’”

“I’m not going around inviting any man, black or otherwise, to take me to bed.”

“Well, that’s what the chain that he gave you means!”

“Let’s not talk about labels, or what others might think.  Let’s do what we want.”

“So what do you want?” I asked.

“It’s lovely to be out with you after last night.  Being with you is real.  Last night was another world.  It feels like a fantasy, but much more intense.  Maybe we need to find a way to keep these adventures separate, if we’re even going to consider going there again.  It’s good to have some space.  Let’s not rush into doing anything else for now.  That means you and your girlfriend need to keep apart too.  But also, let’s not make any big decisions about what we might or might not do in the future.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

Maggie didn’t say anything but I knew that this touched a raw nerve for her.  But then what she did with Michael also touched a nerve for me.  It felt best to leave this.

Otherwise, Maggie’s words made sense, so we finished our drink and enjoyed the rest of the day.  Later we both replied to messages on our phones from our lovers, but didn’t get involved in any long text conversations over the weekend.  We showed each other the messages that we sent, which were neutral comments of thanks for the time with them, and we said that we were busy at the moment.  I avoided questioning Maggie any further and she didn’t ask me more about Elaine.  I couldn’t stop obsessing about the photo from Michael on Maggie’s phone, but I knew that I had to bide my time.

Over the next couple of weeks, we gradually became very close as a couple again.  We enjoyed intimate sex almost every evening, which is far more frequently than had happened during recent years.  Maggie often initiated it.  Mostly the sex was loving and intimate, but occasionally it was more like rough sex and a couple of times Maggie turned over onto her stomach and offered me the chance to that have anal sex.  This always felt something that she had only shared with me.

After sex, we started to have quiet conversations in bed in the dark of the night.  It seemed easier to be more open at these times.  We spoke more about our experiences and views on who we had been with.  It seemed to be ‘us against the world’ in some ways.  Our own little bubble when we could talk openly about our fantasies, our feelings and our fears.  We were normally naked with our arms and legs wrapped around each other.

We managed to speak without getting involved in arguments. Maggie often spoke about Michael, maybe because I tended to ask her more questions.  She told me about how she was attracted to him physically, and was flattered and very excited about how he found her attractive.  She had felt alive with him, but she also assured me that he could never replace me.  She told me he was naïve.

I said that he didn’t seem very naive to me.  In fact it seemed to me that maybe Maggie was the naive one.

However, Maggie insisted that he was naive about some things, and they had very little in common apart from teaching and, of course, sex.  They didn’t like the same music, books or films.  He was too young to ever be her partner and he lacked the sophistication which came with age and experience.  She went out of her way to tell me that he couldn’t be her soulmate and the person she wanted to grow old with. She said that even if I left her, she wouldn’t move in with Michael.

I felt able to ask her whether or not anything physical had happened at school between them.  She said that they had managed to keep things completely professional except for the odd knowing glance when something one of them said could be open to misinterpretation.

She did admit to one moment during his last week at the school.  After the children had gone home she had been standing on some steps to take some art work off the wall.  He had come over to help her and had put his hand up her skirt and touched her.  Another teacher had come into the classroom and although she didn’t think they noticed, Michael kept his hand in place stroking her.  She had felt very turned on, but as soon as the other teacher left the classroom, she had remonstrated with Michael.  Michael has apologised, but claimed it was his last week and his last chance.

I still found it hard to believe that nothing else had happened in the time since their visit to London when they first had sex, but I didn’t push the point.  Maggie had told me more and I appreciated that.  I also found myself excited by imagining what might have happened.

Maggie didn’t ask me more about my time with Elaine for a while.  It seemed that she feared what I might say.  I did try and reassure her that Elaine wasn’t a rival for my love.  I thought that I had reassured Maggie, but I wasn’t sure.  We seemed to learn to trust each other again during these night time conversations.  I felt Maggie still was suspicious about me and Elaine.

Then one night Maggie simply asked me the question she had been saving up.

“Does Elaine still love you?”

I had thought of how I might talk with Maggie about this.  I knew that I had to at some point.  Even so, it took me by surprise, and I wanted to be careful to be honest without upsetting the progress Maggie and I had made.  There was also part of me that wanted to avoid having to promise Maggie that I wouldn’t see Elaine again.

“I really don’t think she does, although she did say she regretted how she split up with me.  But to be fair, she did dump me twice when we were students, so I think she wanted to get some sort of forgiveness.”

“Do you think you could love her again?”

“I love you, Maggie.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Once I got over her, which was before I met you, I never wanted her back.  I admit that when we met before we both enjoyed ourselves, and it was strange being with someone after all these years, but it wasn’t like being with you.  It was interesting to have a date with someone else, but no, I don’t love her.”

I hoped Maggie believed me.  Then again, I hoped that I believed myself.

“I think it’s more likely that you and Elaine fall in love again, than it is that I would ever fall in love with Michael.”

“I’m not sure you can say that after how you are with him, but I understand why you might say that.”  I realised that this was always going to be a difficult thing to discuss.

“I also understand how after everything I’ve done with Michael it’s difficult for you not to think that I’m more fond of him than I actually am.”

“Well, you have had two pretty amazing nights with him, and he’s seen a side of you that I’ve never seen.”

“I’ve tried to be better with you.”

“But it’s obviously different with him.  You are different when you’re with him.  If he hadn't moved away, I’m sure you would want to see him again.”

“Don’t you want to see Elaine again?”

“Honestly, yes.  So would you like to see Michael again?”

“Maybe.”

Although we didn’t discuss it directly, it was becoming clear from our nighttime talks that we would, at some time, want to have more adventures.  

For a time, we both put off any requests from Michael and Elaine that we meet up again.  Maggie told me that Michael had rented a flat in an old warehouse in Manchester that had recently been converted.  He wanted her to visit him to help him with furnishing his new home.  He said that he wanted a woman’s touch.  We both agreed that he wanted a different type of touch from her!  He didn’t just want her to come up and sort out the decor.  At least we could laugh about that.

Elaine did contact me but wasn’t pushy at all. She just told me that she was open to seeing me again if I wanted to arrange something, even if it really was just for a meal next time.  She would leave it to me to get in contact.  She was busy, but could organise something with a bit of notice.

One night, as we lay in each others arms after sex, Maggie made a suggestion that worried me.  She said that she wanted to share with me something that had been on my mind.  She didn’t want me to react straight away but let her try and explain.

She explained that having to tell me everything so soon just caused me pain and her stress, and put pressure on her.  My desperation to know details before she had properly processed what had happened in her own mind had ended up causing conflict.  She didn’t want to hide things, but rather wait until the right moment when she could describe things.  For example, when we were in bed together having one of our intimate talks.  

She suggested that it could be exciting to share what had happened at a time that felt right.  It might also help us improve the sex we were enjoying.  It could be part of a game only we shared.  Revealing some secrets could become part of that game.

She said that we should trust each other enough so that if we did have any further adventures, we shouldn’t have to tell each other everything straight away.  We should be allowed to take time before we share too many details.  As long as we promised never to hide it if either of us was starting to fall in love or was starting to doubt our relationship.  I struggled to get my mind around this.  I said I felt this would make things difficult.  I had always been desperate to know everything as soon as possible.

She also said that she was sure that I had not told her everything about my time with Elaine.  She said that I hadn’t admitted straight away that she was an ex-girlfriend.  She was prepared to accept that more things might have happened, as long as I was open about whether I loved Elaine.  Otherwise, I could tell her when the time felt right.

What she said seemed to make sense to me, at least in the dark of the night when we were in each other's arms.  In those times we seemed to trust each other completely.  Maybe these were the moments to share our most intimate thoughts and adventures.

Even so, it took me a few days to come to terms with why Maggie had made her suggestion, but slowly I thought that I could accept it.  As long as we remained in love with each other, we could trust each other.   We could be free to do whatever we wanted when we were apart, but if we ever started to feel we were drifting apart emotionally, we needed to tell each other straight away.  Otherwise, saving up a few things that the other didn’t know might be fun.  It was true that there was a good time to admit certain things. There were also times when either of us could use what had happened when we were with someone else as part of an argument against the other.

I said that if and when she had any more adventures I would avoid trying to cross examine her immediately we were together again.  I would let her take her own time.  

We did solemnly confirm to each other that if either of us wanted to end these adventures, we would stop them immediately.  No justification would be required.

On another occasion I suggested that Maggie should consider birth control.  In response, she reminded me how many years ago when she tried taking birth control pills, they had upset her body and caused painful side effects.  At her age, starting taking them again would involve increased risks of even more serious side effects.

She said that her age meant that it was becoming less likely that she would become pregnant, but she didn’t want another child, and wanted to decide herself how to avoid this happening.  I said that I worried about the risk.  She assured me that she was aware and was monitoring her body carefully so she knew when the risk of pregnancy was greatest.  She was clear that she would make the decisions about her body. 

Despite my concerns, I found myself asking that if she were going to take any risks, could she at least make it possible that if she became pregnant, it might be my child.  That night, the thought of Maggie becoming pregnant again did excite me.  I remembered how until recent times, the period of her life when she had been most ready to initiate sex was when she was pregnant.  I wondered how she might if that happened again, particularly if she was carrying another man’s child.

The next morning I couldn’t believe I had said and thought those things, but the thoughts didn’t completely go away.  During this time I was in a state of almost constant arousal.  I was always ready for sex when I was thinking about our conversations

It wasn’t a surprise when some days later, Maggie told me that she wanted to arrange to visit Michael in Manchester.  Our conversations started going over what might happen if she did.  She would stay with him at his flat.  While she was there, everyone they met would assume they were lovers.  To all the world they would be girlfriend and boyfriend.  When we were talking in the quiet darkness of our bedroom, I could admit this excited me.

We talked about how, when Maggie returned from her visit to Michael, she might have been changed in some way.  I mentioned how different she felt when we had sex soon after she had sex with Michael.  She felt less tight when my cock entered her.  Maggie found that fascinating but she also pointed out that having had two children she still had a tight entrance when she had sex.  It still was often painful if she hadn’t prepared properly.   She thought that any change in this area would not last long.

I reminded her how she had been after a few hours with Michael in bed.  I vividly remembered her battered body, with all the marks on her.  I knew that he must have caused her some pain.  She seemed relaxed about it.  She suggested that she was excited at the prospect of having more time to do more, without having the pressure of limited time.

I asked her whether she thought that Michael would try and persuade her to have a tattoo on her ankle along with the anklet.  Maggie pointed out that she disliked tattoos and thought I did too.  I did remind her that some years ago, when we were on holiday in Greece, we got to know another family.  We found that we had a lot in common and the mother had a small tattoo of a dolphin next to  her ankle.  We agreed it looked pretty and understated.  At the time, I suggested that it might be nice if she had one.

Maggie asked why I would ever want her to have a tattoo from Michael, and asked me how we would explain it to friends and family.  I said that I thought that when we had our 40th anniversary, we might like to have a permanent reminder of this wild time.  It would be a sign that we weren’t just the conventional married couple that everybody thought we were.  Maybe, as she had suggested, we should worry less about what everybody else might think.

Maggie still said that it would never happen, but in even suggesting it, I had surprised myself.  Looking back, I wondered what came over me.  It seemed that half the time Maggie was driving me mad by suggesting what she might do with Michael, and then the other half was me goading her to do more.

Soon after this conversation, Maggie confirmed that she had agreed to visit Michael for a couple of days or so during the long school summer break.  She would stay at his place.  It had two bedrooms, but we both knew that they would not be sleeping in separate rooms.

As the time of her trip drew near, Maggie became a little coy about what might happen.  She did start buying new clothes that seemed designed to make her look less like a mother and more like someone who was out on a date.  When she came to pack, I wanted to see what she included but I also thought I should leave Maggie to tell me what she wanted, when she was ready.  

I never managed to see what she was taking for her trip.  I did ask her if she would be wearing the anklet when she was away.  She told me that Michael had ‘dared’ her to wear it all the time she was away with him.  She had decided to accept the challenge.  I was surprised.  Didn’t she care what others might think?  She pointed out that she also wouldn’t be seeing anyone she knew and that the spade charm was very small and couldn’t really be seen easily.  

She was right, the charm was small and discreet, but I was sure that some people would know exactly what the anklet, even without the charm, signified. I was very uncomfortable that she would wear it so openly.  I was also very aroused.  What was wrong with me?

I remembered the recent special times in bed, when Maggie and I had been so intimate and close.  Now I was facing the reality my wife had just left me and was on a train looking forward to meeting her lover and being his partner.

Would they go out dancing and visit the type of places she never went with me?  Would she meet his friends?  Would he introduce her to his family?  And how much further would she go with him in bed this time?  What would she be like when she returned?  When would I see her again?

The questions started filling my head.  I must be mad, I thought.

I again recalled the state of Maggie’s body after a few hours of sex with Michael.  I wondered how she would be after days with him.  Yet, she knew this and seemed happy with the prospect.  My wife seemed to like experiencing pain when she was with Michael, yet she always seemed to hate any pain when she was with me.  Would she be permanently changed when I see her again.

Maggie had not booked her return trip, preferring to have an open ticket. She had said that she might want to return home after one night, but then again, she may decide to stay longer.  I knew which was more likely.  This made my stomach churn as I feared that my wife may not return for a long time.  After all, it was still three weeks before she needed to be back for the start of the new school year.

After our recent intimate chats we seemed to have a new understanding and a greater level of trust. I wanted to learn to ride the jealousy and turn it into a type of exquisite agony which might lead to a kind of intense pleasure that could bring new excitement and energy.

It was difficult.  However much I tried, I still couldn’t banish the fear of being abandoned and losing my wife.  I realised I was struggling again.  I needed to look forward to better times.  I had to find a way to move on.  Literally.  I knew the drop off parking was time limited, so I had to snap out of my thoughts and get back on the road.

I started the car and pulled out of the station car park.  After a short while I joined the motorway, but I couldn’t stop thinking about being parted from my wife.

Was I doomed to never learn?  She would be hundreds of miles away, without anyone except Michael.

This time, would she go too far to ever be content with me again?  Would they use any protection when they had sex?  I think I already knew the answer to that question.  Would she come back pregnant with his child growing inside her?  My thoughts were becoming increasingly dark and I was starting to despair when my phone rang.  I answered the call and a familiar female voice came over the speaker.

“Hey you, how are you doing?”

It was good to hear her voice again.  I wasn’t entirely honest.  “I’m doing okay.”

“Where are you.”

“I’ve just joined the motorway; I was held up.”

I was grateful she didn’t ask me anymore about what I’d been doing.

“What’s your ETA?”

“Satnav tells me I’m 43 minutes away.”

“I’m already here. It’s a lovely cabin with great views over the forest and a lake.  It also has a very large bed and the hot tub on the terrace outside is very inviting.  You might find me trying it out when you get here.”

“I thought we were meant to be walking and bird watching.”

“Is that what you told Maggie?”

“I said there would be lots of activities for us to do.  She said we should enjoy everything the place has to offer.”

“Well, you can watch the birds from the hot tub if you want to.  I may find other ways to amuse myself.  If you want to go for a walk, you might be on your own if I decide to stay here.”

“You’ve convinced me.  We’ll try the hot tub first, and I’ll forget the walk.  I can’t wait.  I’ll try and drive faster.”

“Don’t take any risks, I want you in one piece.”

“I’m really looking forward to seeing you again Elaine.”

“Me too, Paul.  By the way, I didn’t tell you, but the place had to be booked for a minimum of five nights, so I’m going to stay for a few days; not just tonight.  You’re welcome to stay longer as well.”

The thought sounded very inviting.  “You never know, I might hang around for a bit longer.”

I ended the call and realised I was smiling.  As my car sped down the road towards the place where Elaine was waiting for me, the sky seemed a deeper blue than normal and the sun shone brightly.   The thought of what my wife might do was fading, as the thought of Elaine in the hot tub was all I was thinking about.

The road ahead opened before me, and the world seemed to hold new possibilities once again.