Playing with fire

Trouble in paradise

She sat downstairs and sighed, kissing strangers on a dark night was far from what she was used too. She stood and flicked on the kettle, making a green tea, before leaning back against the work top. She could smell his aftershave on her skin, she could almost feel how his lips had felt against hers. She shook her head, she didn't know him, she'd probably never see him again.

"Where have you been Con?" Her husband asked as she slipped into bed behind him. She noticed how he didn't even bother to turn around. She couldn't even remember the last time he'd held her through the night.

"At work," she lied, "I have that meeting tomorrow and I wasn't prepared,"

"Right," he replied, exhaling and deciding he couldn't be bothered to turn round and interrogate her further, "goodnight."

She turned away from him and sighed, she didn't know if it was her fault or his anymore.

She noticed the following morning that her shoes were still covered in mud. She cleaned and dried them easily, adjusting her skirt before slipping her feet into her heels. As she picked up her bag and reread her presentation, she was aware of someone watching her and looked up,

"You came in at 12.00 and now you're leaving at 6," he snapped as she picked up her coffee from the side and turned to leave.

"You know how busy I am at work," she uttered, wincing as he grabbed her upper arm tightly,

"You're hurting me," she told him quietly, determined that he would not see her cry,

He let go of her arm and shook his head, "you're my wife and..."

"I won't do this now," she told him, rolling her eyes as he walked away, "I'll see you tonight."

"Penny for them?" Charlie asked as he sat down beside her. She accepted the coffee he handed her great fully, "I'm not sure they're worth that much," she smiled,

"I'm here if you need a friend Connie," he told her, "you've been getting in earlier and earlier and staying later,"

She looked at her friend, "do you ever wish you could just escape for a while,"

He laughed and nodded,  "yes, but I'm always bought back here,"

She nodded, "me too,"

They both stood up as his pager bleeped, "I mean it you know," he nodded and she smiled, "I'm fine Charlie,"

He watched her walk away, wondering what was going through her head.