Appreciated

After 'Intervention' I wondered how I could follow that, so I decided not to. I had a couple of silly stories floating round, here is the first. I was not planning on publishing these but, as you writers out there probably know, once you have a story in your head the only way to get rid of it is to write it down, then it needs just a tweak. Once you have spent all that effort, you might as well let others enjoy your work. This is just a silly little story.

I know it goes against the grain of LW fans, but for this occasion, I am going to take Loving Wives literally because she is a loving wife who made a mistake.

So, none of my usual warnings, this is a slice of fantasy and fiction.

Marriage is a partnership, but sometimes things go slightly awry.

We got married when we were both twenty-four, we had both been around a bit and had previous relationships, but when we got together that was it, there was nobody else for me and I thought she felt the same about me, still do to some extent, however that feeling has been dented. She was stunning, five foot eight, a classic 34, 26, 34 and the cutest nose I have ever seen, with a smile that lights up my day when she smiles at me, and sixteen years later it still does. We both put on a few more pounds, I had filled out a little bit, that was okay, because I was a skinny runt, and she had more curves now. They sat well on her. I thought they made her look even better. She made a great deal of effort to make sure she didn't put on too much weight.

The big four zero was approaching for both of us, and I could tell she was starting to feel a little down. I tried to cheer her up, make her happy, I tried to get her to laugh, and I listened to her worries. I did not think she was past it like she told me, and I told her so. The worries were real to her, that was important.

Tuesday

Then a Tuesday evening about a month before her birthday when she hit me with it.

We just finished eating dinner. She had been a little nervous since she got in from work. I waited, being patient. Smiling at her and stroking her as I walked past, just to let her know I was there. "Darling, I'm going out on Saturday with somebody from work. Don't be upset, it's just dinner, it's not a date."

She was missing something out here. "What do you mean it's not a date; you normally go out with Mary or Jane. So, who are you going out with?"

"It's Jason from work. Trust me it's just dinner, it's not a date, nothing else is going to happen.

"He wants to buy me dinner for some help I gave him on a project last month. He was stuck, and I helped out, a new set of eyes, I saw something he missed. He said he appreciated what I had done for him. He wanted to pay me back. It's nice to feel appreciated."

I managed to keep my calm. I would need the complete story before I decided what to do.

I tried not to shout. "I am somewhat confused, why are you telling me it's not a date so much? If I'm right, Jason is the one who has slept with most of the women in your office?"

"Only the single ones."

"Yeah right!"

"I know the way your mind works; you think this is about sex. It's not a date. I just want something different, to be appreciated."

Appreciated! I was boiling inside, but I managed to keep my temper. I carried on.

"If I remember the Christmas party and your stories correctly, this Jason's about thirty-one or two-ish? Been with the company a few years, blonde, about six foot, fit, been married before, nasty scar over his right eyebrow? Good looking bloke? Walks with a slight limp?"

"Yes, that's him. He fell over a few years ago, smashed his face on a table and broke his leg."

Several questions were running around in my head. I would need to get answers to all of these questions. I would have to ask Sally one at a time. I was not going to do this easily. "When was this decided?"

"He thought I was a bit down yesterday, the weekend was a bit rubbish, wasn't it?"

She was correct. One annoying thing happened then, it went from bad to worse. They say bad things happen in threes, well not in our household on Saturday.

The electric kept on tripping off, it took us ages to find the problem. It was the kettle base plate, it had shorted inside, we discounted it initially because the kettle was not on it and not switched 'on'. We found it by resetting the circuit breakers one at a time. That delayed Sally starting her washing and the housework. I went out to buy a new kettle. That was when I discovered the car had a flat tyre; I had to drive to the garage slowly on the flat run flat. It couldn't be repaired so I had to buy a new one before carrying on into town to buy a new kettle.

All sorted, so after a decent cup of tea with the courtesy of our new kettle, I started to mow the lawn. Then the belt on the grass collector broke and it spread grass all over the ground. I was thinking to myself that there were three bad things to happen to us today. We would not get any more, that was when a gust of wind caught the washing and broke the line, and all the clean washing Sally had spent the morning doing fell on the grass that was all over the ground. I remember singing a string of expletives. All the washing would have to be done again. I helped her.

I took the collector box off and finished cutting the grass and then started raking it up by hand. I was nearly finished when Sally told me the kitchen sink was leaking and there was water in the cupboard under the sink and on the kitchen floor. She has stopped using the sink. I stopped raking the grass and looked at the leak.

I could see the U bend was out of shape. Sally admitted she caught the U bend quite hard when she put her cleaning tool tray away in a hurry.

Never mind, these things happen. I remember thinking to myself. Sally cleared out the cupboard and dried the kitchen floor. I took the U bend apart and found a damaged seal. By now all the plumbing shops in town were closed. So that was the sink out of action for that night. No big deal, we could work around it, just bloody annoying. I would have to go to the local plumbers and replace the seals in the morning. I went back to raking up the grass, which the wind that had snapped the washing line spread around.

We had planned a Saturday date night, starting with both of us in the shower together cleaning each other off the day's detritus. But with everything going wrong, we called it off, we were knackered. It was Sally's turn to cook but she suggested a take-out instead. I agreed, we worked out pizza or fish and chips was probably the safest option after the days' events. But in the end, we decided that just a can of soup and a chunk of bread would do plus the odd glass of wine for her and a beer or two for me. We went to bed early and just cuddled.

It had been a crappy weekend up to that point, so on the way back from the plumbers I decided to do something special for Sally. Her favourite is lamb and, as it was my turn to cook Sunday dinner I called in the supermarket and got a leg of lamb and a bottle of a wine I knew she liked. I pulled out all the stops. I investigated the breaking drive belt and found the collector box rotating brush was jammed and that was why the belt snapped, more work, but during the week after the spares arrived. I concentrated all my efforts in the afternoon on making dinner special. Sally did the ironing all morning. In the afternoon whilst the house was full of the smell of roasting lamb and after she had finished the ironing, I rubbed Sally's feet and calves because they were aching after standing up most of the morning. Sally had worked hard, the washing all done, the house looked like a new pin ready for next week.

Dinner was good, I let Sally have most of the wine. I switched to beer. We sat in front of the telly and I think we dozed off. Another early night but we promised ourselves we would make up for it next weekend.

She was correct, it had been a crap weekend, but that was no reason to go out with another man, even if they were not going to have sex, and what about our replanned date night.

I was surprised I kept my anger under control. I still needed the whole story before I did anything.

She carried on. "He noticed I was a little down last week and when he saw how sad I was yesterday. I told him what happened to us, and he offered to take me out on Saturday to cheer me up and to thank me for the help I gave him. I said 'no', but he asked me again today. He said it was just what I needed, it would just be dinner."

"So where are you going?" It was getting a tad easier to control my temper.

"He says he's going to try and get a table at the Red Lion hotel; they have a bit of a dance floor there as well and he likes to dance."

I'm not sure I kept the calm exterior I was aiming for because inside I was seething. One of the best hotels in town and a dance floor. Going out with the office Lothario, sounds like a night of seduction even if she is not planning to have sex.

"So, what's the plan then, dinner, a little dancing, then up into his room for a few hours of passion and then home to your husband late evening as if nothing has happened?"

"See, I knew you would take that approach. There will be no sex." She said angrily.

"What did you expect me to think, you're going dancing with a man that's not your husband in the best hotels in town, what am I supposed to think? Straight out of the seducer's handbook."

"Trust me David. It's not like that. I'm not going to sleep with him; he doesn't play with married women. He said it's too risky."

"So then why are you going out with a man not your husband even if you're not planning to have sex, and notice I used the word planning?

"Why didn't you tell me you want to go out for dinner and dancing? I would love to have done that with you.

"Do you know I was here for that crappy weekend as well? Who's taking me out so I feel appreciated?"

She looked down at that, guiltily.

She said quietly. "I just want to be appreciated, I'm getting over the hill, I'm forty next month, but he shows me attention. Please, nothing is going to happen."

I stood up. I would not control my anger this time. Looking down at her I said loudly. "Don't pay you attention, don't appreciate you. Are the flowers I bring you a waste of my time and money? I cook you special meals, was the lamb on Sunday shit? You ate it all. I rub your feet, I tell you I love you because I do, I hold you when you cry. Do those things not show the appreciation I have for you? For what you brought to this marriage."

I paused. "Notice I said 'brought' past tense."

"But you're my husband, that's your job, this is somebody different, something new."

"Nope, it's not my fucking job." I growled at her. "I do it because I love you, because I want to make you happy, and you deserve it." I leaned over the table, lowered my voice. "You don't feel appreciated sometimes, well nor do I. When was the last time you initiated making love, when was the last time you told me you loved me?

When was the last time you rubbed my feet? You don't think you're appreciated, well I'll show you bloody appreciation. I'm going to the pub."

I stood up and headed towards the front door.

"Can I come with you?"

"Please yourself."

"Wait for me, I'll put some makeup on and be with you."

I did not wait. I got to the pub; it was going to be quiet. Tuesday nights are normally very quiet. My mates would not be there. That was good. I didn't feel like talking to anybody. Even Jack the landlord just poured my beer without a comment. Five minutes after I sat down Sally came bursting in through the door. She sat down opposite me.

I had nearly finished my pint, most of it went down in one go.

"I asked you to wait."

"No, you told me to wait. There was no 'please' and I know your parents taught you how to say please and thank you."

Then she realised there was no drink for her.

"Where's my drink?"

"Probably still behind the bar. You want one, you fetch it."

She stood up. "So, this is how it's going to be is it?" She stomped off towards the bar and came back with a very large gin and tonic.

"So, I get told off for not getting you a drink, but when you go to the bar you don't get me one and you can see I have nearly finished this." I say holding up my nearly empty beer glass. "See, now I don't feel appreciated." I finished my beer and went to the bar and got myself another pint.

I sat down. "Yes, this is the way it's going to be if you're going out having dinner with other men apart from your husband. So crack on and we will see where we end up in a months' time."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean if you have to go looking for appreciation from another man, then you won't need it from me will you?"

"Don't be silly, you're getting this all out of proportion. It's just dinner, there's not going to be any sex." She said quietly, trying not to draw additional attention to us. I did not care.

"It's just dinner now is it, it was dinner and dancing earlier."

"Well, okay there might be a little dancing. I can't see what you're getting so upset about?"

"Then you could look in the mirror and ask the person looking back at you if you would be comfortable with your husband looking for appreciation or whatever you want to call it outside of our marriage, and then ask yourself why am I going outside my marriage to get appreciation. I've had enough of this, I'm going home."

I finished my beer and stood up. She held my arm, I looked at her, she said. "There is not going to be any 'whatever', it's just dinner, I keep telling you that."

I leaned down and growled. "Don't forget the dancing."

I left; Sally followed me. She tried to slip her arm in mine like we normally do. I shrugged her off and then I walked on the inside of the pavement. I always thought that the gentleman walked on the outside, she tried to take her usual place on the inside. She didn't deserve that protection anymore.

We got home. The dinner plates were still on the table dirty. Usually, we would tidy them away together, it was a shared task. I didn't, I fetched myself another drink, turned the television on and plopped down in front of it. I did not get her a drink or ask what she wanted to watch. She got her own drink after she cleared the plates away. She didn't say anything. I would probably have ignored her if she had.

It was icy in the bedroom.

Wednesday

The following morning I got up early. I normally make the sandwiches for both of us to take to work in the morning and put a fresh pot of coffee on for her and make my tea. Not today I made my tea and left for work.

I was a grumpy bastard at work. I had a chat with some of my workmates during tea break. Some of them told me a similar story that when their wives got to a certain age that they felt their wives went through a transformation. Some it happened at forty-five some at fifty. They told me it was as if all of a sudden the women wake up one morning and realise things will never be the same and that transforms them. whereas it just grows on men.

Talking with them it appears some wives just get on with it, some do strange things like trying to turn things back, going to the gym and girls' nights out. Some try for one last blast and realise that things would not be the same. The consensus of these amateur psychologists and marriage guidance counsellors, but professional husbands was that once they had got used to it things settled down. A few suggested I keep an eye on her and help her through it.

The implication I thought was not to give her the chance to stray.

One chap came and found me later and let me know, quietly, that his wife went looking for something else, she found it and they ended up getting divorced. I didn't even know he had been married let alone divorced. I was aware of another divorce of a couple about our age, but it was never let on why. Now I was guessing it was a similar situation.

I got a message from Sally just after lunch, they had a water leak at her work, it had trashed a printer and she was rushing around trying to get a plumber urgently as they had to shut off the water and the toilets were starting to stink. Was I available she asked? I had done some small maintenance work for her boss in the past. I told her I could not get away, I could have done. She also had problems trying to get a printer as they had an urgent project management plan to get out and in the post to back up the soft copy. She warned me she might be a bit late.

I got a message she was on her way home, she was only just over half an hour later than usual.

I replied. "It's your turn to cook." That was all.

When she got in she had obviously had a bad day, normally I would take over, have some sort of dinner ready and probably a glass of wine and she would be met with a big hug and sympathy.

There was none of that.

I was sitting at the kitchen table with the place settings out. That was my job today.

I had a bottle of beer on the table, no wine.

She looked at me in disgust, turned round and went and got fish and chips.

Over dinner she looked at me and said, "You could have picked something up or at least got something ready."

"Why? It's your turn." I left it at that.

We were sitting on the settee, and she said to me the words every husband dreads. "Sweetheart, we need to talk."

I was hoping it was going to be an apology, an acceptance of what she had done was wrong and she was not going out Saturday, but I wasn't holding my breath.

It appears Sally had a similar chat at work to what I had, with a completely different outcome.

"You talk, I'm listening, but if I don't like what I'm hearing, I have an alternate plan." That did not dissuade her, she carried on

"I talked to the girls at work, they can't see your problem. I know you think there's going to be sex, but there isn't. That would be cheating even if I told you about it."

"Anyway, it's my life, it's my body. I have a choice of doing things I want, if you don't like them, I'm sorry about that. I will tell you now I do not want to have sex with him. Please trust me I will not have sex with him."

She sat there calmly as if that all made sense to her. What she didn't realise was that it wasn't about the sex. Oh yes, I would divorce her if they had sex that goes without saying, although I just said it. She knew that.

I lowered my voice to a low growl. "And how are you going to prove to me you've not had sex with him. Because trust me, I will not believe you if you tell me. And if you do have sex with him, I will divorce you, no ifs, no ands and no buts. So, unless you prove to me one hundred percent you have not had sex with him, I will consider that you have, and I will divorce you and I will see a solicitor on Monday. Do not think of getting him to tell me you haven't had sex because I will never trust a man who invites married women to dinner and dancing."

I paused, leaned forward and looked her in the eyes. "But you obviously don't get it. Yes, I am pissed off with you going out with another man. But what really pisses me off is you are going out with this man because you think I don't appreciate you. Because trust me this last couple of months I haven't felt appreciated at all. You have been ignoring me because you don't feel appreciated, so are you getting that appreciation from another man?"

"You have to trust me, that is what marriages are built on."

"No I don't if you are going out with other men."

As far as I was concerned that was the end of the discussion. I got up and walked into the corner of the lounge where the PC was set up. I just started doing Google searches. Every time she walked past. I changed the screen and when I finished, I cleared my browsing history and the bin.

Thursday

Thursday morning was the same as Wednesday but this time she got up and made her own sandwiches and coffee. She came to give me a kiss as I was leaving, I did not let her. I was home early and started cooking dinner at the usual time, one of my favourites. That was when I got the message from Sally saying she was going to be a bit late. No reason why or when she would be home.

As I had started cooking, I finished and had my dinner at the usual time and left hers on the table. But no cutlery, that was her job today.

She got in just after seven thirty. "I'm sorry, we went for a drink and a chat."

I was tempted to ask what the chat was about and who with but decided not to.

I was sitting in front of the computer looking up YouTube on how to take the collector box apart on the lawn mower. The spares had turned up today in the post, it is surprising what you can find on the internet.

Without looking at her I said. "Don't care. You told me you can do what you like. I had started cooking when I got your message. You didn't tell me when you would be home. So, when it was cooked, I left it for you." Pigs Liver, mash and peas with gravy is not nice cold. She is not a fan of liver, I love it, so we do not have it often.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I didn't know how long we were going to be."

I stood up leaving the computer on. The web page open was the Gov. UK 'How to apply for a divorce'.

As I headed to the garage I said. "As I said, I don't care, now if you don't mind?" I paused. "And in fact, even if you do, I've got work to do in the garage. I've got to try and fix the lawn mower."

I saw her pick up her dinner and head towards the microwave oven, the kitchen bin was close by. I was interested in what she would do. Fortunately, she put it in the microwave. Putting it in the bin would have given me more ammunition for the next conversation about appreciation. I was sure there was going to be more.

Before I got to the back door she said. "Erm, can you take my car tomorrow, I'm nearly out of petrol?" She asked quietly.

She really did not get it. I looked at her and said, "Then you had better get up early tomorrow, otherwise you'll be late for work." I carried on towards the back door.

Normally when she's running low on fuel, I take her car because I passed the cheapest petrol station in the town. She doesn't pass one at all. She just stood there with her mouth hanging open as I walked away. I so wanted to slam the door into the garage, but I didn't.

I could not be bothered with any more hassle in the bedroom, so I went in a good hour after she had gone to bed. Hopefully she will be asleep.

She did try the cuddle as soon as I got in bed, I shrugged her off. She tried to touch me when I got back from an early morning wee. I moved to the far side of the bed.

Hopefully she is getting the message.

Friday

Sally was up early on Friday, when I got downstairs my sandwiches had been made and there was tea in the pot. If this was her trying to butter me up for her Saturday night out with her friend so he could show her his appreciation. It will take more than a couple of ham sandwiches and a pot of tea to sort that out.

I got a phone call halfway through the afternoon. Sally told me she will be late again, but she will be in by six o'clock. She had some shopping to do, and she was having a drink with friends. I didn't ask who.

Sally finishes work at three on Fridays. I tracked her phone from just after three she was at the local Wetherspoons and then from 5:00 she was wandering around the local shops. I got a message just before six, 'running slightly late in Chinese picking up dinner, wine please'. She got in at ten past six. She dropped the dinner on the kitchen table and rushed upstairs with a plastic bag. That did not look good.

We ate dinner in silence, as we finished, I said to her. "Are you still going out tomorrow night?"

"Yes, God, please don't worry, I won't have sex with anybody else but you. I know that's not all of what it's about. Tomorrow is something I have to do."

After dinner I decided to wander down to the pub. I had a couple of pints and chatted with my mates, but my heart wasn't in it. I did not tell them why I was not laughing at their crappy jokes. If she went out to dinner with another man tomorrow the document I had downloaded yesterday would get printed and signed.

I wasn't home late, but Sally was already in bed.

It wasn't quite so cold in the bedroom that evening when she reached across to me, I did not shrug her off.

Saturday

I got up at my usual time and made tea and a bacon sandwich for breakfast. I did the garden jobs I did not get done last week. The front lawn needs mowing, but it was too early to start the mower. Sally found me and asked if I was okay? I looked at her and said. "What do you think?"

Strangely enough she gave me a small smile. That fucking annoyed me, but I said nothing.

Around midday she said quietly. "I've got to pop out for a few hours."

"What time can I expect you back and have I got to cook dinner for you?"

"I will be back before five, the table is booked for seven, I don't want to be late."

That did not directly answer my question, would she be eating with me? It did not sound like it.

I loved her so I would give her one last chance to see how wrong she had got it and change her mind. Then we could work on getting our marriage back together.

I planned to eat in the pub, it is a pain cooking for one. I might get pissed too.

But whilst she was out, I printed the divorce application and put it in my pocket with a pen.

I heard her come in just after four o'clock, she rushed straight upstairs. I also heard the rustle of more plastic carrier bags. I heard her in the shower. She came to the kitchen in just a towel to get a cup of tea, at least she made a pot so I could have one. That was when I saw her hair, it was fantastic, now I was really annoyed. She hasn't done that for me for ages.

It was just gone a quarter to six o'clock when I heard her call from the house. "Hey, can I have your opinion?"

What, so now she wants me to give my approval for what she's wearing for her night out. I gave her a stiff ignoring.

I carried on oiling the garden tools when I heard a harrumph behind me. I chose to ignore that as well. "Sweetheart, please look at me."

Reluctantly I turned around. She was a vision. Her hair swept half across her face, she was peeking out from behind it. It was just exactly how I liked it. The smokey eye makeup was perfect. She had a dress on that I had never seen before. It was red and had a scalloped neck, and I could see she was not wearing a bra. It was cut just above the knee and I was certain that she was wearing stockings the way she was standing on her four-inch CFM heels.

"So much for not going out for sex." I said angrily. It was hard to keep calm. Sod giving her a chance, I will just sign the papers now. I was reaching for the printed piece of paper in my pocket.

"Oh, I'm having sex alright, and I hope a lot of it. But as I said, I'm not having sex with anybody but you, tonight or forever." Then she lifted up a small suit bag. "I've had your suit cleaned. Your best shirt and the Burgundy tie I like so much is on the bed waiting for you. Underwear is optional, but it might be a good idea. The table is booked for seven. You have about forty minutes to have a shower and get dressed. Please shave, you know I am not keen on your bristles on the inside of my thighs."

My mouth hung open, my hand stationary.

She carried on. "There is a small glass of beer on your bedside table to wash the taste of the gardening grit out of your mouth, now hurry up."

I reached my hand out for the suit bag, as she gave it to me she said. "I have some apologies to make to you. But that can wait, you need to wash the smell of oil off you. The taxi will be here in just over half an hour and you know I hate being late."

I opened my mouth to say something; she stepped up to me, grabbed my face and kissed me. "There's no time for that; I will explain over dinner."

Her hair fell over one eye and she smiled her cheeky smile at me. I rushed off.

I made it in time. When I got downstairs there was another small glass of beer waiting for me. I started to talk, she put her finger on my lips and said. "No, please drink your beer, the taxi will be here in a couple of minutes."

She disappeared upstairs and came back with a very large handbag. I am no fashion expert, but It didn't fit the outfit she was wearing. I had just finished my beer when the taxi pulled up outside and sounded its horn. As we walked out to the taxi, she slipped her arm into mine. We set off, part of me worried that when we got to the restaurant, we would find her boyfriend there. Somehow, I didn't think so by the way she was hanging on to me, but it was a nagging doubt. When we arrived, we were escorted to a table in a quiet booth there with only two place settings.

Dinner was good, very good, we talked gently. When the main course was done Sally slid around next to me. She ordered one bowl of strawberries and cream for us to share as dessert. As soon as the waiter had left, she picked up a strawberry that was covered in cream. Glancing around she wiped the cream on her breast in the scalloped neck of her dress and then with a gentle finger opened my mouth and popped the strawberry in. Again, glancing around again she said very quietly. "If you're very quick you could lick that off." I leaned forward and ran my tongue over the cream.

I thought it only polite to return the favour. I did not wipe cream down her breasts; it would be too risky to do it twice. She willingly opened her mouth to take the strawberry I offered. After she finished eating it, she leaned in and kissed me. I could taste the strawberries on her lips. She picked up her next strawberry, it was covered in cream, she popped into her mouth and sucked all the cream off. Holding up in front of me, I felt her knee touch mine. Her hand holding the strawberry disappeared below the table. Her knees got wider. When I ate it, the strawberry had a different flavour to it, I was not complaining. She whispered to me. "I hope you enjoyed the taste because I'm not risking that again." She gave a little giggle.

When there was one strawberry left, I reached for it, she put her hand on mine and stopped me. "Please save that till later, don't let the waiter take it."

I just wondered what her pussy would taste like when we got home. "It's a pity the shops are closed, or I might go shopping for strawberries on the way home." I thought a bit. "And some Champagne." She just smiled.

The coffee arrived. Sally eased herself away from me slightly. Looking me square in the face she said. "My darling I must apologise to you for the way I treated you this week. I got it all wrong, I do appreciate you, I just failed to show it which is almost as bad. Let me explain."

She took a sip of her wine, quite a large one.

"Jason did ask me to go with him for dinner for all the reasons I said. There never was going to be any sex.

"I was certain if I had had sex with anybody, you would have divorced me and I wasn't going to risk that, but I got hung up on the sex angle not realising that you felt hurt because you thought I didn't appreciate all the little things you do for me, not because you're my husband but because you love me. I was wrong.

"I went out with Tina and Tracy on Wednesday; they couldn't see the problem. They knew Jason never had sex with married women, he was frightened of getting his good looks rearranged by an angry husband or boyfriend and to be honest you satisfy me enough that way.

"They told me to double down and stick to my guns, it was just dinner, and that's what I resolved to do. But on Thursday I saw how easy it is to get a divorce. Initially I wasn't worried because again, I thought it was about the sex and there was never going to be any. Then when I asked you to fill up my car with petrol and you said I had to get up early. That was when I realised that I had lost all the little things that made our marriage, and I had been slacking. It wasn't just the petrol, that was the catalyst, that was when I realised what I was missing the most. It was the little touches, the warm feeling you were there for me.

"I was having doubts about what we had planned, and I cancelled Jason Friday morning as soon as I got in. I was not going out with him."

"So why all this? I asked, slowly waving my arm around the restaurant."

"I was late on Friday morning not by much but that's not like me and Mary could see I was upset. She asked me what was wrong. I told her about Jason and dinner. We were busy and there was no time to talk at work. She told me, not asked, told me we were going for drinks when we finished at three o'clock and Jane would be there too.

"When we got to Witherspoon's and I told them the full story Mary was aghast at what I had planned to do, it showed lack of respect to the man I loved. I hadn't seen it that way. Then Jane went on about appreciation, how it was a two-way street. She'd had a rough patch with Roger a few years after they got married. He was working all hours to get together the last bit of the deposit on a house they had seen they liked. The idea was to get a house and then start a family. But she was moaning at him for not being there and not doing the little jobs he usually did."

"He blew up at her, big time. We've met Roger, a sweet, gentle man, but he blew up. She didn't appreciate the hours he worked to get them on the way to starting a family. And all she did was moan at him. She told me she sat back and looked at herself and decided he was right. She arranged to get herself a part time job delivering Chinese meals on the nights he was working late. Not only did it bring in a few extra quid, but they got free food as well. She realised it's about the appreciation of the effort the other person puts in because they do that because they love you and that woke me up. I realised Tina and Tracy were wrong, and decided I needed to make it up to you."

"That was when I booked this table, and I asked for one in a booth. Sweetheart, are we okay?"

"Yes, we are. It was a pretty crappy weekend, followed by another crappy week. Let's make this weekend a better one."

She leaned in and kissed me. "Oh, we will. Unfortunately, I need to go to the loo, would you mind sliding out?"

I slid out of the booth and held my hand out to her, she took my hand and slid out. She picked up a small clutch handbag. Hang on, where is the big handbag? I asked her about where it was. "Oh, I've got the maître-d' to take that up to our room. I booked a room for the night, a four-poster bed and you can do anything you like to me."

She gave a small smile. "Well, no putting your big willie up my bum. The bag has got our wash kits, some underwear for me." She leaned in and I could see straight down her dress, her breasts hanging free. She whispered into my ear. "Because I'm not wearing any at the moment, and I need something for me to wear to breakfast tomorrow. I can't wear this dress to breakfast. You will look just fine in that shirt and trousers. Sorry sweetie I really must dash."

Whilst she was away, I ordered a bottle of Champagne and a bowl of strawberries to be sent to our room. It was slightly embarrassing, I did not know the room number, so I gave the waiter our name.

Sally got back and I let her slip into where she had been previously. She smiled at me. "Sweetheart I apologise for my behaviour, I was completely out of order. It is true I was feeling underappreciated but as the week went on, I realised what I had done. I was blind to all the little things we did for each other and to my shame I stopped doing the little things for you, I didn't stroke your hair or grab your bum. You not making my dinner, sandwiches or coffee all hurt. Not filling my car up with fuel was bloody annoying." She tilted head to one side so her hair half obscured her face and she gave me a small smile. "But do you know what I missed most of all?"

"No?" I replied, that was probably the safest answer.

"I missed the little touches as you walked past me, the little smiles you give me, the little pat of my backside, the hug from a bad day at work but most of all, just being there, that warm comfortable feeling you would always be there for me, because if I cocked up you would be gone, and that scared me.

"You were right it's not your job, it is plainly obvious to me now, you do it because you love me and you know those little things make me happy. So, sweetheart, I am sorry, and I will do better.

"I think it's time we see what we can do in a four-poster bed, I've never slept in one yet. But before we go." She looked around, it was very quiet in the restaurant apart from the gentle music from the ballroom next door. She took the remaining strawberry, I felt her knee against my thigh again, her hand with the strawberry slipped below the table, she shuffled and when her hand came back it was empty. Smiling, she said. "We had better hurry."

I stood and offered her my hand; she took it and stood up. As we walked away, she asked me to slow down as she had to take small steps.

We made it to the room and as soon as the door was closed Sally pulled me in for a kiss. "I think it's strawberry time." She turned around and looked over her shoulder. "Zip please lover."

I obliged, when the dress was pooled around her feet she stepped out of it and walked towards the big bed, when she got there, she turned around and leaned against one of the bed uprights, she had a hand over her pubes. She looked stunning, she tilted her head forwards, she spoke quietly from behind her hair. "I think it's time you tasted strawberries again."

She removed her hand; she had shaved her pubes off. I loved that, I loved licking her bald pussy. She hates it when it grows back, but she does it for me on special occasions. She ran her fingers through her pussy lips and then licked them. "Mmm strawberry." Holding her pussy lips apart she said to me. "Your turn."

I walked towards her littering the floor with my clothing as I went.

I sank to my knees, she opened her legs, I ran my hands around her backside and pulled her naked strawberry smelling pussy towards me. I put my tongue out and tried my best to retrieve the strawberry. I must have been doing an okay job because her hands grasped the back of my head and she pulled me into her. She tasted sweet. I was still licking her lips and then I ran my tongue over her clitoris. She thrust her hips out at me and grabbed hold of my hair pulling me in closer. With her tugging my hair, I was losing control. This had to be at my speed. I stopped licking her and untangled her fingers from my hair. Looking up at her and said. "I'm enjoying this, but please let me concentrate."

I went back to what I was doing. And again, her hands grabbed my hair. I could not concentrate on what I was doing. This had to stop, I pulled away, standing up. She looked sad. "What?" She asked. She looked beautiful. I picked the burgundy tie up off the floor. Took hold of her wrists and tied them together and then looped it up over the bed upright. "What are you doing?" she said. "We've never done this before, I'm not sure I like it."

I kissed her lips. "I can't concentrate with you constantly trying to make me bald, so I've removed the problem. Tell me to stop and I will untie you. Otherwise, be quiet and enjoy this or I might have to gag you and do it anyway." With that I kissed her on the lips, broke the kiss, nibbled her ear and as I moved down her body, I kissed all over her chest, licked her nipples then kissed all the way down over her belly.

I reacquainted myself with the taste of her strawberry flavoured pussy. I used my fingers up inside her to try to retrieve the strawberry whilst my tongue concentrated on her love nub. My fingers were moving around inside her trying to grip the strawberry. I felt the vagina clench. Her whole body shook, the pelvic thrust pushed me back but I managed to get the strawberry. It was not very strawberry shaped, but it tasted fantastic.

Her knees sagged as she came, I had to hold her up. The orgasm looked immense. I carried on licking as she came down from her orgasm, she loves that. It was my turn. I stood up and lifted her left leg to give me easier access. I was rock hard and I entered her easily all the way in. I was not gentle; I slammed into her as hard and deep as I could. I could feel the bed rocking. She was pushing back at me. I felt her body tense and her clenching pussy brought me off.

She buried her face into my shoulder and screamed. Her legs gave way and I had to hold her up. I stayed buried in her as long as I could. Reaching up I took hold of the loose end of the burgundy tie and I released her hands. She fell into my arms. I picked her up and laid her on the bed. She opened her eyes dreamily and said to me. "That was kinda fun. I wonder what other fruits we can play with." She was smiling. I was thinking bananas.

I opened the champagne. We enjoyed a glass or two each and then made gentle love. We fell asleep in each other's arms. I was awoken with a warm feeling on my cock. I opened my eyes. Sally was there looking up at me with my cock deep in her mouth. But she pulled off. "There will be more of that when we get home. But for now, it's breakfast. We're both going to need the energy."

She looked up at my Burgundy tie that was still looped around the bed frame. She reached up, took it off, looking at me, she smiled, and said. "You can do that again."

We made breakfast. On the ride home in the taxi. Sally stroked my leg, looked at me and said. "I will never not appreciate you again. Well. Unless I have a reason." She smiled. What was she planning?

I showed my appreciation to her a couple of weeks later. She was moaning, the hairs were growing back. And it was itchy. There are a few solutions to that problem, talcum powder, moisturising creams but I chose to tie her to the bed and use my electric razor to shave her again. She did not complain.

Things returned to better than normal, until I came in from work. Sally must have heard me come in. She called out from upstairs. "Up here sweetheart."

I ran up the stairs, Sally was standing by our bed holding a bottle of Champagne in one hand, a punnet of strawberries in the other and a selection of my old ties hanging around her neck. "I don't think one of us has been getting enough appreciation recently."

Before the nay sayers out there start on Sally for thinking about being unfaithful. She was not. Jason did not go after married women, where do you think he got the scar over his right eyebrow and the limp, which played up in the cold weather came from, he was just being nice to a colleague.

It's about the little things we do for our loved ones without thinking because we love them.