Chapter 10

As he walked in the front door Andrew could hear Lisa in the kitchen. There were sounds of clattering dishes and the sound of Lisa humming at Beatles song. It sounded like “All you need is love.” Lisa must have heard him and called out,

‘Andrew, I’m in the kitchen.’

He went into the kitchen where Lisa was busy preparing a meal. On the bench there was a baking dish with what looked like a leg of lamb, his favourite. There were peas, carrots and potatoes in plastic dishes, several bottles of marinade. He could see an open bottle of red wine and next to it a half filled glass smudged with fingermarks. Lisa blew him a kiss and kept humming.

‘You’re in a good mood Lisa. And what’s with all the food? It is a special occasion?’

‘Andrew Marshall. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what day it is. Hah. A typical man.’

Andrew searched his memory but came up blank. It definitely wasn’t Lisa’s birthday. He could not think of anything else that was a special date.

‘Sorry Lisa. I’m not sure. What day is it?’

‘Why it’s our anniversary. You’ve forgotten. It’s just so typical.’

‘Anniversary?’ he stammered. He was now in a state of panic. Anniversary of what? Nothing came to him.

‘It’s the anniversary of our moving in together. Four months, two weeks and three days to be exact. And you’ve forgotten Andrew. I’m very disappointed in you.’

Andrew could see her cheeky smile and finally realised that she was having him on. He felt relieved.

‘Relax Andrew. I’m just joking. I just felt like cooking you a special meal. There is a bottle over there, pour yourself some wine. It’s a Heathcote Shiraz, your favourite.’

Andrew felt he could not refuse but was mindful of the two scotches he’d had earlier and which he was sure his liver had not yet metabolised. He poured himself some wine, took a very small sip and put the glass down.

“The food looks great Lisa, or it will be once it’s cooked. I really appreciate it. It’s been a tough day.’

‘Anything you want to talk about? If so, tell me now. I’ve got plans after dinner and they don’t include talking.’

‘No Lisa, nothing worth talking about.’

Andrew badly wanted to confide in Lisa but George Edwards had made a point of them keeping the information just between the two of them. Telling the story would make it seem more real and Andrew was not yet ready for that.

‘I’ll go and change. Be back in a tick.’

‘Okay. I’ll be here, slaving away at the hot stove for my man.’

She really was in a good mood thought Andrew. And frisky. He wished he could share the mood but the events of the day were weighing heavily on him.

Ten minutes later he was back in the kitchen to be greeted by the mouth-watering aroma of the lamb and by Lisa’s lips, tasting of Shiraz pressing themselves onto his.

‘You look very handsome. I don’t know why you bothered changing. Those clothes won’t be on you for very long.’

What had got into her, Andrew thought. Not that he was complaining. As a rule he would be the initiator of their sexual activity. Lisa would rarely refuse and only on those occasions when she was completely exhausted after a day’s work. Very occasionally, Lisa would take the lead and on those occasions the sex was even more satisfying than usual. Her timing could have been better, Andrew thought, but perhaps the sex, which she was sure would very quickly follow the dinner, would help distract him.

The dinner was delicious and the sex was even better. They both lay in bed spent. Andrew was exhausted, both physically and mentally and would have liked nothing better than to roll over and go to sleep.

But Lisa was chatting, as she often did after sex, especially if she had orgasmed which clearly she had as she would not stop talking.

Then suddenly, she did stop talking and a minute later Andrew could hear Lisa’s quiet, rhythmic breathing. She was asleep. Andrew could never understand how she did that. She fell asleep so easily while Andrew, often exhausted, would lie there, listening to her breathing, trying to shut his mind off.

That night he was beyond exhausted and yet his mind was racing. He kept playing the conversation with George Edwards over and over in his mind. Despite what George Edwards had said, Andrew knew he could not keep this to himself. He would tell Lisa. He knew he could trust her completely. Lisa was very level-headed, a very clear thinker and Andrew knew he could count on her to give him a rational opinion. It would have to wait until the morning. Tempted as he was, there was no way Andrew would wake Lisa to have that conversation now. As he contemplated what Lisa may say, he fell asleep.