After a series of burglaries in our area, I decided to install a security system. I found a good local company, recommended by some neighbours, and they came round a few weeks later to do the installation. As agreed they put alarms on the doors and windows which would be monitored remotely. In addition, he suggested we have cameras in the main lounge and in the hallway with an additional one in the main bedroom. These would not be part of the alarm system, but they could be monitored on a mobile phone to ensure that the house was safe at any time that the alarm might be triggered, or perhaps just to check that things were okay when we were on holiday.
I was quite interested in how the technology worked, and was impressed how easy it was to access the cameras from my phone, wherever I was.
After the first week or so, I didn't pay that much attention. Generally they were turned off when we were in the house, and often I forgot to turn them on when we went out. A few weeks later, I had to make a business trip and was away for a week. I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten to switch the cameras on. I knew my wife would not be around all day as she was involved in a local tennis event. But as they could be controlled remotely I turned them on.
About two hours later, around 3 o'clock, an alert popped up on my phone, telling that there was some movement detected on one of the cameras. I was curious as I didn't expect anyone to be in or around the house. I opened the app and saw that the hallway camera had triggered, followed by the lounge camera shortly afterwards.
After switching to the lounge view I was relieved to see that it was my wife that had triggered the cameras. She had obviously returned early from the club and was still dressed in her tennis gear. I assume she had decided to return early and shower at home rather than the club. She moved out of shot into the kitchen area and I heard her fill the kettle and turn it on. She then came back into view as she passed through the lounge and back into the hall.
I switched camera again in time to see her open the hall cupboard and store her kit bag and racket. I felt a little guilty watching her but I couldn't resist as she bent over to unlace her shoes. I watched as her short tennis skirt rode up to reveal the classic white tennis panties she wears for sport and felt a frisson of excitement.
After tidying everything away she walked back to the lounge area and I switched cameras again. I was in time to see her tidy a pile of magazines and plump the cushions of the sofa, before moving away into the kitchen area, presumably to make a drink.
I was about to close the cameras and turn them off when I heard the doorbell go. I paused to glimpse her briefly on the lounge camera as she went to the front door. Switching to the hall camera I saw she had stopped to check her hair in the hall mirror. The doorbell went again. This time with a long impatient ring. She looked flustered as she hurried to the door. When she opened it I could clearly see a man I recognised. He was one of the club tennis coaches I had seen around. He was also still in his tennis gear and carrying a sports bag. She greeted him with a nervous "Hi".
To my surprise he barely acknowledged this as he brushed past her, dropping his bag at her feet. I watched a little shocked as she quickly gathered it up and tidied away in the cupboard before following him into the lounge.
I switched cameras and took in a view that surprised me even more. The coach walked to the sofa, tossed the cushions aside and threw himself down very casually. He then reached forward and swept the magazines and books off the coffee table, and planted his feet firmly in their place. Without hesitating he took the TV control, switched it on, and began to channel hop. I heard the TV volume rise and various daytime channels until, he found a sport programme, and settled back.
Shortly after I saw my wife appear from the kitchen again. She approached him rather cautiously until she was in front of table. Then paused as if gathering her thoughts. He glanced up at her and with a slight frown muttered. "wait". He watched as she carefully and clasped her hands behind her back, and slightly bowed her head so that she was looking at his feet. She didn't speak or look up while he returned his attention to the TV.