Yours Unfaithfully by Geraldine C. Deer Read Free Book Online Page A

longingly. “It’s been the best evening I’ve had in a very long time. I hope we can do it again, soon.”
    “Maybe” she said and, offering him a parting smile, she set off gingerly to the kitchen in search of Nina. She had some apologising to do before she left. She found Nina laughing with a small group of her friends. They looked incredibly happy, joking loudly, another story about something that had happened in the office. When Nina noticed Melanie standing behind her she turned and hugged her warmly.
    Melanie smiled at her, “I’d better go, Tim’ll be back soon.”
    “Tim came back ages ago Mel, they came into the kitchen but I thought it best they went no further, so I sent them round to yours for half an hour, told them we had to clear up. They’d had a few ... never even argued. They’re probably asleep in front of your TV now so if you don’t want Ben for a lodger you’d better send him back, or leave him there, I don’t care either way”
    “You’re a real friend Nina. I love you.”
    Melanie staggered back to her house. The short walk in the crisp night air sobered her in seconds. She packed Ben off to his own house and went up with Tim to get ready for bed.
    “Did Neen tell you, we came round earlier, just as you were clearing up, a real good evening by the sound of it?” She knew Tim was probing.
    “It was OK. You know what it’s like with people from work. You just talk about all the same things you’ve already talked about before.”
    “Was Roddy there in his bow tie and red braces?”
    “No, it was Nina’s work people not mine.”
    “So you didn’t know any of them?”
    “No not at the start, but by the end I’d got to know one or two.”
    One actually, she thought to herself. She realised that far from feeling guilty she was already missing Ratty. Tim climbed into bed and turned towards her back. He put his arms around her and she recognised his amorous intentions.
    “Sorry Tim, I’m too tired. See you in the morning.”
    He let out an exaggerated sigh before turning to his side of the bed. She knew full well he was miffed but there was nothing she could do about it with her head in this state, anyway she’d made promises of great things for Saturday night. She couldn’t think about that now, rather she was grateful that sleep came quickly.
    As usual Saturday passed in a haze of activity and all too soon it was evening. Standing in the kitchen, cooking what was meant to be a special meal for the two of them she reflected on last night’s party. The encounter with Nina’s ‘boss to be’ had affected her deeply. Barely a minute had passed today without her mind returning to the time they’d spent together, the things he’d said, the meeting they had planned for next week. She shouldn’t be thinking about him at all ... her husband was getting himself tarted up for a night of ... of what? What had she promised when she was anxious to end their feud! Whatever it was she would soon have to deliver ... trouble was she wasn’t feeling that way inclined and it was all because of last night and someone called Ratty! A pet rat perhaps? The voice inside her head wouldn’t stop talking; ‘I wish Tim was off out tonight, fixing someone’s car or playing pool with Ben. If only I could see Ratty again for five minutes I know I’d feel better.’ Time was ticking away. Before long they would finish the meal, drink the wine and make small talk on the settee. It was the next bit she wasn’t looking forward to. What the hell is wrong with me? She quizzed herself for answers, but none came. Two weeks ago I was willing him to take me to bed and do with me whatever he wanted. I just needed him to hold me and tell me that things were like before ...before the row. Now I can’t face going upstairs, there’s no way I can go through with this, not with my thoughts so full of last night and Ratty.
    Melanie stood in front of the cooker with one hand on the grill handle, the other hand