‘Andy, I’ve gone blonde!’ Rebecca giggled.
‘I thought there was something different!’
‘Do you like it?’ Rebecca asked flirtatiously, stroking her hair and pirouetting in front of him. ‘Of course, it’s not blonde blonde,’ she gabbled. ‘I’m hardly Marilyn Monroe platinum. But Karen in the hairdresser’s suggested trying some highlights, and I just thought – why not?’
‘You look beautiful,’ Andy told her genuinely. ‘But of course, you always do to me.’
‘Aww, thank you, Andy,’ Rebecca smiled, pulling him in close and taking him by surprise with a long, deep kiss. ‘Do you really like it though?’ she couldn’t resist asking, looking up at him from beneath freshly mascara-ed lashes.
‘I really do. It’s very different actually. It kind of feels like I’m cheating with another woman – quick, get out before my wife comes home,’ he quipped, as Rebecca laughed.
‘Dinner’s nearly ready, by the way,’ she told him. ‘It’ll be about ten minutes.’
‘Righto. What are we having?’
‘I’ve got some gorgeous fresh salmon, so I’m grilling that, with new potatoes and veggies. And I’ve got you a lovely cream cake for dessert, which you’re not to let me anywhere near.’
‘Righto,’ Andy said again. Rebecca was obviously on one of the health kicks that she embarked on from time to time. When they’d got married, just over a year ago now, she’d slimmed down to a size ten, but her weight had been creeping up ever since. Andy knew that she blamed the comfort of married life for her expanding waistline – they’d swapped going out on dates and dancing the night away for evenings in eating takeaways and watching reality TV. Rebecca was now a curvy twelve-to-fourteen, and although Andy loved her whatever her size, he knew that Rebecca was always trying to lose a few pounds.
He kissed her once more, then went upstairs to the bedroom where he swapped his corporate suit for a more comfortable pair of old jeans and long sleeved t-shirt. He noticed a crush of shopping bags piled up against the wardrobe, overflowing with new clothes and goodies wrapped in tissue paper. Andy smiled to himself. Rebecca was obviously making the most of her time off.
Jogging downstairs, he discovered the lights in the dining room had been dimmed, and that Rebecca had lit long white candles in silver holders. The table was beautifully dressed, with a fresh white cloth and the linen napkins they only used on special occasions, and Rebecca was pouring from a chilled bottle of white wine into two wine glasses.
‘What’s all this?’ Andy asked in surprise.
‘I just thought it might be nice to make an effort,’ Rebecca replied, trying to sound casual. ‘Show my husband how much I appreciate him.’
‘I could definitely get used to this,’ Andy smiled, looking round approvingly. ‘Do you need a hand with anything?’
‘No, sit down. I’ve got it all under control.’ Rebecca squeezed his shoulders as Andy lowered himself onto the dining chair, then she walked coquettishly back to the kitchen, her bottom wiggling as she tottered on her heels.
‘Dinner is served,’ Rebecca announced, as she returned with the plates and set them down. ‘So, how was your day?’ she asked, as she slid into the seat opposite her husband.
‘Oh, you know,’ Andy sighed, taking a sip of his wine. ‘That issue I told you about with Graham’s commission still needs to be resolved. Honestly, Mark Ravens is such an idiot. All he needs to do is make a decision, but he won’t. He doesn’t know what he’s doing, he really doesn’t – I’ve no idea how he ended up getting promoted in the first place …’
As Andy rambled on, Rebecca sighed inwardly. She’d really tried to make an effort tonight, still worried that everything was getting a little stale in their relationship. Ten Sweet Lessons had opened her eyes to the possibilities that were out there, and she was eager to experiment, to try and put some sparkle back in their sex life. But when Andy went on like this …
He must have noticed the way his wife’s eyes had glazed over, because he stopped himself abruptly. ‘I’m so sorry, darling,’ he apologised, suddenly coming to his senses. ‘I should really try and leave work at work. It’s not very interesting for you, is it?’
Rebecca looked at him with an expression that said it all.
‘Right,’ Andy said brightly, changing the subject. ‘Tell me about your day. Did you buy some lovely new things at the shops?’
‘I bought this dress,’ Rebecca told him, perking up immediately as she stood up and twirled around. The dress was a deep blue colour, nipped in at the waist and flaring out over her thighs. It was closely fitted and cut low at the front, showing off an impressive cleavage.
‘Very nice,’ Andy nodded approvingly. ‘Is it for work?’
‘I thought it might be a little too revealing for that,’ Rebecca laughed, looking down at her bulging breasts encased in the soft fabric.
Andy followed her eye line. ‘Quite right,’ he coughed, feeling his throat grow thick. ‘You’ll be distracting all those boys. As a matter of fact, you’re distracting me right now.’
Rebecca smiled triumphantly, bending down low to top up his wine glass. Finally, some interest from her husband! The new dress and romantic meal hadn’t been in vain after all.
‘Are you trying to get me drunk, Mrs Smith?’ Andy asked, his eyes dancing.
‘And what if I am, Mr Smith?’ she replied, her voice all husky.
‘I think that new haircut has turned you into a new person,’ Andy joked
Rebecca didn’t reply, unexpectedly hurt by his comment. Didn’t he realise that this wasn’t just some passing fad? That she’d been unhappy and frustrated for months now? She topped up her own glass, sat back in her chair, then speared a forkful of salad and chewed thoughtfully. After she’d swallowed, she asked quietly, ‘Are you happy, Andy?’
Andy looked startled. ‘That’s a big question. Um … yes, I suppose I am. Yes, I’m happy enough with my little lot,’ he confirmed.
‘I mean … are you happy with us?’
‘Yes, of course I am. I love you very much and I’m very happy with everything. What’s this about, Rebecca?’
Rebecca ignored the question. ‘And are you happy with everything … in the bedroom?’
Andy frowned. ‘Well, it’s not exactly as I would like it, of course.’
‘Really?’ Rebecca’s tone was sharp.
‘It’s all a bit stale and worn out, isn’t it?’
Rebecca’s eyebrows lifted even further.
‘But once we get rid of that saggy old mattress it’ll be much better. Then I still need to get the new wallpaper up, give the skirting boards a fresh lick of paint … Oh!’ Andy exclaimed, as the penny dropped and he suddenly realised what Rebecca meant. He looked mortified. ‘I mean … I misunderstood. Yes, yes, of course, I’m happy. Of course I am. Everything’s fine … Right?’
‘I suppose,’ Rebecca shrugged.
‘I mean, we don’t … you know … as often as we used to, but that’s normal, isn’t it?’ Andy protested, taking a large slug of his wine to hide his embarrassment. ‘We’re not teenagers anymore. We’re grown-ups, with lives and responsibilities and occasional headaches …’
‘But would you like it to be more exciting?’