A RELAXING WEEK BY THE LAKE

                                        RUSTIC CABIN

The advertisement virtually leaped out at me as I glanced at the morning paper. With my two-year-old daughter Debbie, and four-year-old son Cameron, tugging at me from opposite directions I read:

 

“Rustic cabin on shore of small secluded lake, $159 per week.

 Bring own linen.”

I was trying to write the great Canadian novel, had finished about three chapters, but was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.  I was trying to fit writing between feeding, washing, cleaning, shopping, advising my skitzo neighbor on her love life, kissing bruises, and helping out at pre-school.  Oh yes, and last but not least, being a wife and lover. The last two had definitely been getting the short end of the stick lately.

“Why don’t you just take the week off and I’ll look after the kids? I’ve got an extra week vacation left.” Said Bill, my soon to be Saint, husband.  Bill was a great father and husband, a little pudgy, and not too adventurous, but reliable. Yes he was just one of those level headed hardworking men that never get any attention. So that evening I contacted the advertised phone number, a very nice lady took my VISA number and gave me the instructions to get to the cabin.

“I hope you have a real nice vacation.” She said.

“Thank you I’m sure it’s just what I need.” I said feeling elated now that I had made the reservation.

I arrived at the end of the narrow dirt road off the highway. I was suddenly filled with relief and joy and for some strange reason a little apprehension. It was about seven on Friday evening. I stopped to read the rest of my instructions.   It had only been a three-hour drive, even counting getting lost twice, so everything was going according to plan.

“Upon reaching the end of the road there will be about a ten minute walk along the path to the lake. Turn right follow the shore, after about 300 yards you will come to a cabin, your cabin is the next one with the sun porch.” 

Sounded easy so I pulled on my backpack and started along the path. I was thirty years old, a member of the tennis club and in relatively good shape.  I was looking forward to the walk, and was starting to feel better already. Slowly I proceeded along the sandy trail that had been worn through the thin layer of wild grass. It has always amazed me the way Nature/God has in these semi-arid regions put such a lush but very thin layer of vegetation over the sandy loam. The warm sunlight filtered through the tall pine trees, bringing with it that intangible fresh smell of spring. In the trees above, the beautiful sound of songbirds wafted through the air. Could this be heaven?  

I reached the small lake.  It was just as I had imagined; blue placid waters, a loon diving out in the middle, and a few baby ducks with their mother paddling along the shore. I took in a deep breath and let out a sigh of contentment and pent-up frustrations. I turned right and followed the shore. There was the first cabin, looking deserted. A little further along I came to my cabin.

The advertisement had mentioned “rustic”.  I wasn’t quite sure what rustic meant, but it had sounded rather charming.  However this dilapidated looking structure was anything but charming; in fact, it looked like it hadn’t been lived in for years.  As I stood on the front porch, being careful not to let my foot go through the rotting floor, the broken screen door creaked as it swayed back and forth in the light breeze. I began to wonder why I had left my cheerful, wonderful home, with my lovely perfect children.  Then reality set in. They were why I was here, and I was going to stay for the week if it killed me, AND I was going to finish my novel.

The inside was very dusty and had a strange musty smell like old books. The windows were so dirty you could hardly see outside.  As I squinted through them, I realized it was starting to get dark.

“Well, I guess I’ll find the oil lantern they mentioned and get some light in here,” I said out loud.  I found the lantern, and to my amazement it actually had oil. I got it lit with the matches Bill had reminded me to take. Good old Bill.  I busied myself cleaning and dusting by the warm glow of the lantern. This wasn’t going to be so bad after all.  Then I went into the small bedroom. 

There was no bed.

I had brought my own sheets as instructed, but what good were sheets without a bed.  Then I was reminded what one of my so-called friends kept telling me. Life has been too good to me. What I needed she would say, was a little suffering to give me some character. I decided to try and sleep on the pine floor with my thin sheet and blankets.

“Well now is the time to get me some of that character.” I certainly wasn’t going to walk the half-mile back to the road in the dark.

“I guess I’ll start a fire, make a pot of coffee and open a can of pork and beans.” I said as I put some old newspapers into the ancient wood stove and piled on some of the kindling some good soul had thoughtfully provided.  Within seconds the cabin was full of smoke. I couldn’t see or breathe. In my haste to get out, I inadvertently knocked the soot-filled stovepipe off the wall on to my head. I then stumbled out the front door and promptly fell through the rotting porch floor.

There I sat, with my throbbing left leg stuck into the floor up to my hip and the other almost wrapped around my ear.  Suddenly a whiny voice said, “What do you think you’re doing?”  I looked up, trying to blink the soot out of my eyes to see this weird looking; skinny man with a long pock scarred face, glaring down at me. He was a perfect fit for the whiny voice.  I answered as bravely as I could, all the while trying to fight back the tears I felt running slowly down my sooty cheek. 

“I don’t know.”

With that he turned and disappeared into the forest.

I was in shock as I tried to extricate myself from this painful, not to mention unladylike, position.  I began to think the man was some form of hallucination.  I eventually got my leg out of its trap, and other than some painful scrapes and swelling, it seemed to be OK.  I went back into the cabin and took out the medical kit that “Saint Bill” had put into the pack at the last minute.  After slathering antibiotic ointment and Band-Aids all over my leg I realized I had lost my appetite. Suddenly I was very tired.  I just had to get some sleep, the cabin was still smoky so I decided to put my sheets and blanket on the only safe spot I could find on the porch and crash there.

As I lay there on the hard porch, I drifted between sleep and some strange form of consciousness.  I seemed to be drifting over the lake and looking down into the clear water with a full moon reflecting my face on the surface. Suddenly my reflection changed into that of a long pock- faced man and I would sit up in a sweat. Even when jolted to a sitting position, I still wasn’t sure if I was awake. This went on all night, so by morning I was more exhausted than when I went to “bed”. 

As the sun came up over the lake and the mist rose, the world started to take on a new glow and I felt a spark of enthusiasm. It was time to get up and start my perfect week. As I started to get up my back felt like it had a knife firmly inserted between my shoulder blades, and my neck was so stiff I could hardly turn.  I put some weight on my leg, and felt a sudden sharp pain. Maybe I had broken something after all.

Eventually, using great will power, I got down to the water's edge. As I slowly limped down the beach, my body parts started kicking in one by one.  After about a100yards I wasn’t feeling too bad (all things considered).  Then I realized I hadn’t eaten for almost 24 hours and I was starved.  I had just reached the last cabin and was about to turn around to head back to my little bit of hell, when I noticed a man coming out of this cabin only a few yards from where I stood.  He certainly wasn’t the man from last night. This fine specimen had on shorts, runners and no top. He was tanned and pleasantly muscled from his ankles to his neck. He didn’t look like Bill at all. He looked in my direction and when he saw me the first expression on his pleasant face was one of incredulity; then his face broke out in a glowing smile.

“Good morning, you’re up bright and early.” he said in a soft but very masculine voice.

I looked at him but couldn’t say a word.

“Are you OK?”  He said as he came up to where I was rooted to the spot.

All I could do was nod yes.

“Well you certainly don’t look OK. How did you get on this deserted beach at this time of the morning, and if you don’t mind me saying, looking a bit of a mess?”

Suddenly everything that had happened the past 24 hours hit me. The mad scramble to get ready to leave, the drive, the cabin, the fall, the smoke, the weird man, no sleep, hallucinations, sore back, sore leg, unwashed, and dirty tangled hair. Felt horrible.

I just had to sit; so I sat down on the sand.

“It’s a long story, and I’m too tired and hungry to talk.” I said as tears welled up.

Suddenly this middle aged, lean, strong man, with beautiful kind eyes, reached down and picked me up in his arms without saying another word.

I felt no fear as he carried me into his cabin. In fact this seemed like the most natural thing in the world.  I must be hallucinating again I thought.

“You sit right there and I’ll pour you a coffee.  I’ll get the bacon and eggs going in a minute,” the man said as he lowered me into an old leather backed chair.

“Thank you” I said.

“My name is George Wilson; I’m a Computer Program Manager on a two-week vacation.”

“Hi, I’m Mary West.  I’m supposed to be on a one-week vacation.” I stammered.

As I looked around his cabin I couldn’t believe the difference between it and mine.

“How long have been here?” I asked

“I’ve been here almost a week, and other than Jan, a young lady that lives further down the lake, you’re the first human I’ve seen.

“My you have a nice cabin. It’s certainly much better than mine.”

“Oh you have a cabin here as well eh, which one is it?” George said.

“The second one you come to along the beach.” I said.

“You don’t mean that old falling down mess with the rotting porch, do you?”

“Yep that’s the one.”

“Here’s your coffee. Do you take anything in it?”

“No thanks, black is great” I said as I took the first sip.

Its amazing how life takes it twists and turns.  Yesterday morning I was in my suburban kitchen with my three children, trying not to go insane. This morning I am sitting here (a little the worse for wear granted) with this warm, friendly man, in a comfortable cabin beside a beautiful isolated lake, drinking marvelous coffee.  I was beginning to feel I was in for a wonderful adventure. And it felt good.

 “Yoo Hoo. Anyone home?” Came from a female voice outside.

“Oh that’s Jan, my neighbor from down the lake, you’ll like her.” George said as he made for the door.

“May I use your washroom?” I said

“First door on the left.”

“Hi Jan. Come on in, I want you to meet one of our new neighbors.” George said.

“Morning George. Didn’t know we had any new neighbors.” she said.

                               

As I entered the small washroom with an ancient long handled water pump I made a big mistake. I looked into the small cracked mirror above the sink.  I couldn’t help screaming out loud.

“Are you all right?” shouted George, sounding worried.

“I’m fine, unfortunately I just saw an apparition in your mirror that turned out to be me.”

I couldn’t believe how bad I looked, puffy eyes, soot in hair and on face, dirty hands, torn Jeans and a blouse that looked like it hadn’t been washed for years. I grabbed the bar of soap and had a little mini bath right there; I even washed the blouse as best I could and put it on wet. Anything was better than when I came in. 

As I entered the main living area a beautiful young lady with long dark hair, and a perfect figure looked at me as if I had just come from Mars.

“Jan this is Mary.  If you think she looks bad now, you should have seen her a few minutes ago.” Said George.

“Hello Jan, nice to meet you. There are times when I actually look quite presentable,” I said.

“Hi Mary, sorry to stare, but I wasn’t expecting anyone with wet hair and a skin-tight wet blouse to come out of George’s bathroom” said Jan.

“Jan is a School teacher Mary; she has just returned from a stint as a volunteer in Honduras, the Sinclar family has had a cabin on this lake for many years.”

“So that’s basically the story,” I said as I finished the last piece of toast.

Jan and George had been listening intently to every word, and seemed genuinely concerned about me.

“No wonder you didn’t look your best.” Said Jan, and gave me a hug.

“Yeah that’s for sure.” Said George, and didn’t give me a hug.

“Who do you think that weird man was, Mary saw, George?” said Jan.

“I don’t know what to think, it was probably all in her mind, and I’ve never seen any man around here at all.”

“It was not in my mind.” I said.” It was real and I will never forget that face as long as I live.”

“What about the floating over the lake stuff, was that real?” George said.

“Well no, I think that was a dream, or something.” I said.

“How does one know where a dream ends and hallucination takes over?” asked Jan.

Just then there was a banging on the door. All three of us jumped.  As George opened the door a young RCMP Officer appeared.

“Hello, sorry if I startled you folks. My name is Constable Ryan. I just wanted to let you know there is an escaped convict in these parts. Our dogs lost him along the lake, but we believe he may be still around. He was serving time for attempted rape, so be very careful tonight.” Said the officer.

“Do you have a picture of the man?” I said.

“Why yes I do, here have a look.” said the officer, handing me a faded picture.

I was sure what he would look like.

“Are you sure that’s the right picture?” I said, not recognizing the face.

“That’s him all right, why do you ask?”

“Oh no reason.” I replied.

“Well I’ll be on my way, remember be careful, and keep your doors locked.” said the officer as he continued down the beach.

“That is just great. Now there are two weirdoes’s lurking around and I don’t even have a door that closes properly let alone locks,” I said to no one in particular.

“You can stay at my place tonight.” Jan said. I waited for George to make an offer but it was not to be.

“That is very good of you Jan and maybe I will take you up on it, but I’m sure I can get my place into some sort of livable condition before dark.” I said.

“I’d be glad to come down to give you a hand,” said George.

“Me too” said Jan.

As we approached my cabin I noticed it didn’t look any better in the morning light than it had last evening, in fact it was worse.

“You can’t live in that dump.” Said Jan.

“You’re right. It would take a month to get that rat’s nest in any kind of reasonable condition.” Said George.

“Look I paid for a week; with a bit of work I’m sure we can make it livable. All I want is some peace and quiet so I can get on with my writing.” I said. “And besides it will give me character.”

“From what I’ve seen of you that’s the last thing you need.” laughed Jan.

“That reminds me.” I said, “I’m still a mess, not to mention sore, I’m going to get my one change of clothes out of my back pack and go down to the lake and wash up and change clothes.”

“Take your stuff over to my place. I have a shower, only cold water, but better than out in the lake.” said George.

“OK, thanks George.” I said, “I’ll grab a shower at your place. Come on in while I grab my stuff.”

They both came into the cabin with me.

“What is that awful musty smell, and where did those large foot prints in the soot come from?” Said Jan.

“Hey you must have very large feet, or you had a visitor after you left the cabin.” Said George.

“Are you Mary West?”

We all turned to see an older, prim-looking lady, with lovely gray hair, poking her head into the cabin.

“Yes I’m Mary.” I said

“Oh hi, I’m Sally Jones, the Rental Manager for Inland Realty. Mr. Sabadka, the owner of the cabin, asked me to drop in and see if everything was all right.”

“You came all the way out here. That was very kind of you.” I said.

“You look familiar, don’t you live around here?” said Jan.

“Why yes as a matter of fact I do, just off the end of the road before you start the walk up to the lake, so it wasn’t a big deal coming here.” Said Sally. “I live here full time and do most of my work over the phone.”

“Well Sally, since you ask, everything is not all right. In fact it is terrible.” I said.

“Yes you don’t have to be an architect to see that things are not to spiffy, do you?” Sally said, “I haven’t been authorized to spend any money, but I would be glad to help fix this place up.”

“There isn’t even a bed in this mess.” Said George.

“I can help you out there.” Said Sally, “I have a roll up single cot that I will get my Grandson to bring along later, if that is OK?”

”That would be fine, thank you.” I said.  And with that all three of them started transforming my cabin from Hell into at least a livable home. I went back to George’s place to shower and change.

Even with cold water the shower felt wonderful. I had put the towel on a hook just outside the door so I could reach it from inside. Finally I had enough, and with soap in my eyes reached for my towel.  My hand fell upon an unmistakably male hand; a little thrill went through me as I could imagine George’s wonderful body attached to it.

“Like me to towel you down?” said the whiny voice.

“That’s a nasty bump on her head.” I heard from a distance.

I opened my eyes and looked into Sally’s. Then I saw George and Jan bending over me. They both looked very worried.

“What happened Mary?” said George. “Did you slip and hit you head?”

As I lay there everything started to come back, shower, hand, whiny voice, towel.

 Towel! Where was my towel? Am I lying here naked? No it’s all wrapped nice and snug around me.

“Thanks for putting the towel around me Sally.” I said weakly.

“We didn’t put it around you.” She said, “You had it all tucked in just fine lying there on the floor.”

“Oh no,” I screamed, and almost fainted again.
“He was here again, that horrible man must have wrapped the towel around my naked body.” I said very slowly not make my head pound.

“Are you sure you’re OK, maybe we should take you to the Doctor in town?” Jan said.

“Other than the bump on my head, I feel fine. The rest of my body doesn’t seem to have been violated, other than having a towel rapped around it. I guess I hit my head when I fainted. If I fainted.

“That’s all I remember until I looked into your eyes Sally.” I said after recounting my little tale.

“ Well I would have thought you were imagining things, or hallucinating again if it wasn’t for those large footprints we just cleaned up in your cabin,” said George.

“Of course she wasn’t hallucinating, you Bozo.” Said Jan. “I for one not only believe her but I’m going to report this to the Police in town.”

“I’m with you Jan. And since I live so close to these strange goings on, I believe I’ll bunk in with my sister in town until the Police get to the bottom of things.” said Sally.

                                                CHAPTER 2

“I’m glad you came in Miss Sinclair,” The Sergeant said to Jan.  “Did you happen to see Constable Ryan yesterday? He was supposed to get out your way to warn you folks about an escaped criminal.”

“Why yes, I did meet the young man. In fact that is part of the reason I came in to see you.” said Jan.

“Before you go on Miss, I must tell you, Constable Ryan did not report back to the office yesterday. He and the patrol car are both missing.”

“What!  A policeman missing!  I’ve never heard of such a thing.” said Jan.

“It is very unusual to say the least.” Said the Sergeant “I would appreciate you keeping this to yourself miss, if you don’t mind.”

“I’m not sure I can do that. You see this is the reason I came in to see you,” said Jan.

“We have had a new lady move into one of the cabins on lake.  The day she moved in a strange pock faced man with a whiny high-pitched voice accosted her. The next day, today, she was having a shower when he came into the house and accosted her again in the shower. So you can see why I really must tell my friends at the lake.”

“Yea I certainly can.” Said the Sergeant, appearing to go a few shades paler than he already was. “In fact maybe you all should leave the lake until this mystery is cleared up.”

“Oh I don’t think it is as serious as all that.” Said Jan. “But I will leave it up to them. Thanks for the advice, bye, bye,”

Jan entered my now spotless cabin and by the expression on her face we could tell she had some news. The three of us had just sat down to have one of the cold beers George had brought over as a reward for the great job we had done.

“You look like the cat that has swallowed the canary,” Sally said. “Here have a beer and tell us what’s up.”

“Are you sure the Sergeant said that the young Constable was missing? Maybe he said he just took a day off,” said George rather sarcastically.

“I’m telling you he’s missing, and the patrol car too, in fact the Sergeant recommended we all leave the lake until this is cleared up.” Said Jan.

“That’s enough for me, I’m on my way, might drop in tomorrow to see if you guys are still alive.” Sally said with a laugh as she went out the door.  

 

I hadn’t been at my quiet retreat for 24 hours.  I hadn’t written a word and I hadn’t slept. I had had a few hallucinations. I might have been molested. I had fallen through a floor. I had met three (four if you count the young Constable Ryan) very interesting and stimulating people, and was involved in some sort of mystery.

This was exciting and exhilarating.  This was living.

“Well I have no intention of leaving,” I said, “I’m finding this all very exciting. I wonder how Bill is doing back home?”

CHAPTER 3

 “Hello”

“Oh hi Bill, this is Theresa, is Mary home?”

“Hi Theresa, no she isn’t, anything I can do.”

“Uh no, I was wondering if she was going to pick me up on Monday to go to the Tennis Club.” Theresa said.

“No, Theresa she won’t be able to make it, she has taken a week off and gone to Lake Niska to complete her novel.”

“What and she left you all alone with the Kids. I sure wish my husband was half as good as you. All he does is play hockey, go golfing, work, and complain. Boy it must be heaven to have a stay at home man.” Theresa sighed.

“Right you are, I’m pretty great all right, except for being short, overweight, balding and allergic to groups larger than five.”

“Well everyone can’t be miss perfect like Mary, Queen of the Prom, honor role student, tennis Pro, and of course great mother.” Theresa said.

“Not to mention wonderful wife.” Bill interjected.

“And soon to be published Author.” Theresa continued.

“OK, OK, enough already, you are making me wonder why on earth she married me after all the great catches she had lined up.” Bill said.

“Now that you mention it I’ve often wondered the same thing.” Theresa laughed.

“Anyway she’s been gone a day and a half, and so far so good. The kids haven’t driven me totally crazy yet.”

“Well, well, we do have a lot in common this weekend. My man is out fishing with the boys until the day after tomorrow. The kids are over at my Moms, so at least I’m not going crazy like you.” Theresa said a little softly.

“I’m sure Mary’s just sitting by the lake, sipping a glass of wine, relaxing and letting her creative juices flow,” Bill said.

“Well I hope she is having a good rest, the lucky dog.” Theresa said. “Oh by the way would you like me to bring over some of my Potato Salad and my famous Apple pie to help out for dinner tonight?”

“Uh, no thanks Theresa, I think I have everything under control.”

“How about I bring over that bottle of home made wine I’ve be promising you guys. Say about 8:30 after the kids are in bed, we can use it to wash down the pie.” Theresa said with a chuckle.

“I do love your apple pie.”

“See you later Bill.”

“OK Theresa, Bye.”

“Bye, Bye.”

                                                            Chapter 4

“I’m not leaving either.” Jan said, “I really don’t think there is anything to be worried about.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I paid good money for this holiday and I’m getting my moneys worth.” George said, with maybe a touch too much bravado.

There was a knock on the door.

I opened it and was met by a young teenage boy, who for some strange reason looked just a little familiar.

“Hello.”

“Hi, I’m Nick Jones.” he said with a slight nasal twang.

“Oh yes, you must be Sally’s Grandson, did you bring the cot?”

“I sure did, dragged the darn thing all the way from Grandma’s house. Took me almost an hour.” Said Nick.

“You do look tired. Just a minute and I’ll get you a drink of pop, will Coke do?” Said George as he opened the last drink he had brought over from his place.

“Yeah that’s my favorite, thanks.” Said Nick.

“So you are going to stay in this place, are you?” Asked Nick after his first swig of Coke.

“Well yes, I’m staying for a week.” I said, “Why do you ask?”

“Oh no particular reason, but I wouldn’t stay here.” He said.

I guess he didn’t like this run down place either.

After Nick left the three of us were preoccupied with our own thoughts for a few minutes and no one spoke. 

Finally Jan said, “I think you should stay at my place tonight Mary. I don’t want to be alone, and we can get to know each other.”

I knew she was just saying this to make me feel better about going to her place, which was very thoughtful of her.

“OK Jan, I guess you’re right. It would make me feel a bit better to have company for tonight.” I said.

“What about me? Am I supposed to stay in my little cabin all by myself?” Said George.

“Why of course not George. You are welcome to join us, in fact I would appreciate it, how about you Mary?” Jan said.

“I certainly don’t mind.” I said.

“Hey I was just kidding. You guys have a nice little time together.” Said George.

“Come on George you don’t fool me, I know you’re worried as much as we are, you don’t have to play the big strong male for us,” said Jan.

“No, I’m serious, I’ll be fine alone.” Said George.

We put up the cot, closed the door as best we could, and started for Jan’s place.  It was a lovely evening with just a hint of rain in the air, but we could still see a few stars in the black sky, it is amazing how much darker the night is out in the country.  We came to George’s cabin first.

“OK you two, I’ll see you in the morning, unless one or both of you, would like to come in for a cup of Irish coffee, or maybe a glass of Wine.”

I was sure George was looking into my eyes as he spoke, although it was to dark to tell for sure. In any event I was about to open my mouth to accept for at least one of us.

“No thanks George, Mary and I are really beat.” I heard Jan say.

“I’m suddenly so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open.” I said trying to sound convincing.”

“I’ll get Mary to my place and we’ll both get some sleep.” Said Jan.

“Right you are. See you in the morning.” Said George as he disappeared into his cabin.

Then as an after thought George pocked his head out the door.

“If either of you do change you mind I’ll but up for the next hour or so.”

I couldn’t read Jan’s mind, but mine was definitely thinking of changing.

We had about another 300 yards to go in the dark, after about two minutes Jan said.

“What was that?”

“What was what?”

“Didn’t you hear it?

“I didn’t hear anything.” I said wondering what Jan was talking about.

“I’m sure I heard a rustle and a sort of moaning sound coming from the forest. Are you sure you didn’t hear it?” Said Jan.

“No I didn’t. Maybe you’re catching my hallucinations,” I said with a nervous laugh picking up my pace just a bit.

“Right!  Let’s hurry up and get to my place. Maybe we should go back to George’s cabin what do you think?” Said Jan. sounding quite scared.

I was thinking that wouldn’t be such a bad idea, when Jan said,

“Never mind, there’s my place just ahead, hurry up let’s get inside.”

After locking the heavy door and getting the coal oil lamps burning, Jan made us both a cup of hot chocolate on her old camping stove.  It felt nice and warm, and safe inside, I was glad Jan invited me.

“Maybe you’re right; maybe I was just imagining things. After all if you didn’t hear anything.” Said Jan.

“Yeah with me telling so many weird stories, anyone could imagine a strange sound.” I said, trying to reassure Jan, but I’m sure not sounding too convincing.

“You know Mary, the more I saw of Sally the more I’m sure she used to live on the lake. I think I remember her living in your cabin many years ago, but maybe I’m imagining it, I’m not sure.”

“You would think she would have mentioned it, if that was the case,” I said.

“You’re probably right, how’s the hot chocolate?”

“Great, you know what they say, most women prefer chocolate to sex, although I’m not so sure if hot chocolate qualifies,” I said trying to lighten the mood.

“Probably they were all married women who preferred chocolate,” Jan said with a loud laugh.

Jan got me some sheets, and I made up the spare bed and crawled in. I lay there between the cool clean sheets with the fresh Pine tree smell in my nostrils, and I contentedly counted my blessings as I drifted off to sleep.

“Mummy, Mummy, wake up. Daddy said to wake you. He’s off to work.  Debbie has spilt her cereal all over the floor.  Cameron has his shoes on wrong, and you have to make my lunch” I heard Rick shout as from a great distance as he jumped up and down on my back.