The two couples at the dinner party were Abi and Ben and Ellie and Frank. Abi and Frank had been best friends from school days. Ben had always wondered whether their denial that they had enjoyed a sexual relationship was true. Abi and Frank had remained very close even when they both got married.
Abi had arranged the dinner, as things had not been going very well in her marriage and Frank had admitted that his marriage was not good. They both had questioned whether their partners were playing away. As they had discussed their marriages while enjoying a drink together they realized that the similarities were very strong. Regular late working by their partners, reduced interest in sex and phone calls that were secretive.
Abi joked that they were obviously having an affair with each other. Their laughter became uncomfortable when the same thought crossed their minds. They realized that the devastating possibility was actually a probability when they compared notes on timings and dates. With a great reluctance they agreed to put the theory to the test. The test proved their worst fears and they considered cancelling the dinner. Instead they decided to take the days before the dinner to decide how they dealt with the situation.
There was tension between the two couples as soon as they sat down to have pre dinner drinks. Abi cranked this up by asking Frank what he would do if he suspected Ellie of being unfaithful.
"I don't know it would depend on many things. I would certainly look to try and mend things assuming she wanted to. I suppose somehow I would try and do something to move things on. It would also depend whether she was apologetic and prepared to try and make it up to me. What would you do if you suspected Ben?"
If there was tension before the answer, now you could have cut it with a knife. Abi's response was not about to do anything to ease it.
"That sounds very understanding of you Frank. I think my first thought would be a wish to punish him. I don't know how but that might enable me to move on if he wanted to make amends. What do you two think?"
The silence was deafening. Neither Ben nor Ellie seemed to be able to look at anyone. Abi defused the atmosphere a little by offering to fill the glasses. Frank was quietly enjoying how the other two were squirming and added.
"Yes I suppose that if a punishment was suitable that might be the thing to move things on. Come on you two you are being very quiet about things."
"If I thought Abi had cheated on me I would want to know it had ended and maybe I would want to punish her: spanking or even caning her. As Frank said there would have to be something that allows things to move forward so things could be forgotten. I am sure she would not cheat on me anyway."
"I am sure I would be the same if I thought Frank had cheated on me. If I had cheated I would want to do anything that proved I was sorry and that I would not do it again. I suppose there are many ways to be punished though."
"Given what you have both just said Frank and I believe that the two of you are asking to be punished. If we are wrong then you must punish us for what I am about to say. We believe that both of you have been screwing around. We also believe that it is with each other. It has taken us much sole-searching but we have agreed that if you promise to end your affair and if you truly want to move on then we will listen."
A very embarrassed silence hit the room and again. Abi and Frank were looking for answers but Ben and Ellie could not raise their heads let alone say anything.
"Well first of all I am sure your silence confirms our worst fears. I think Abi and I do at least deserve a response from each of you."
Ben and Ellie confessed over the next few minutes. They apologized profusely and both said that they almost relieved it was now out in the open and that they wanted to put it behind them. They both pleaded to be forgiven for hurting their partners and said they would do anything to earn the forgiveness.
There were tears flowing. Both Abi and Frank admitted that they had thought they could forgive Ben and Ellie but were now struggling with the reality. Ben and Ellie said that they understood but said that if it could move things forward they would take whatever punishment suggested. Abi said that she would take control of the punishments as she had discussed with Frank.