Prior to reading this account the reader is directed to the original short story entitled 'Foolishness' which is available at the link below.
It was still relatively early when he got back to the caravan so he expected to find his wife Mandy watching the television, but the lounge area was in darkness and the set silent.
He opened the door of the bedroom anxiously; suddenly fearing her terminal prognosis had cut her down and found her on the divan, apparently asleep.
Troubled, he made his way around the cramped room and felt her brow.
‘It’s all right, don’t flap,’ his wife muttered weakly. ‘Things were a bit rough after you went, so I took a tablet and had a nap. I feel much better now and will get up to share a pot of tea with you.’
‘I’ll make it,’ he offered with relief. ‘I shouldn’t have left you alone.’
‘That’s nonsense, there was nothing you could have done,’ she argued as she got out of bed. ‘You can’t change things, so don’t spend the rest of your life fretting about me and my tumour.’
They watched the news with their drink and then switched the set off.
‘I’m not in any great hurry to return to bed,’ Mandy announced as her husband gathered up the crockery. ‘Let’s talk for a while.’
‘Sure, if that’s what you want to do,’ Timothy sat down again. ‘What’s on your mind?’
‘Nothing of any great importance,’ she said evasively. ‘It’s just that we seem to avoid talking about the future these days.’
‘Are you surprised about that?’
‘I suppose not,’ she agreed, ‘but you have a future, even if it doesn’t include me and you should be planning for it.’
‘Please don’t talk like that,’ he complained with a lump in his throat. ‘I’m just living from day to day, grateful for each hour we have together.’
‘But, nevertheless, you went out tonight,’ she observed with a smile. ‘Did you enjoy yourself?’
‘Not much,’ he grunted noncommittally.
‘Why not? Didn’t she come across?’ Mandy asked with a grin. ‘Perhaps you’re losing your touch!’
‘What on earth are you talking about?’ Timothy flared defensively. ‘Whatever makes you think I’ve been with a woman?’
‘Because I know you,’ she almost whispered. ‘There’s no way you were seeking solitary amusement, although heaven alone knows when you had the opportunity to set it up.’
‘I don’t think your opinion of me is very flattering,’ he muttered, embarrassed by her understanding of what made him tick.
‘Please don’t go and get upset,’ she said firmly. ‘At this stage of my life I would prefer honesty between us instead of your usual hedging. It doesn’t hurt me to know you can enjoy yourself with another female, in fact, I’m only too pleased you can find some relief during these difficult times. Further more, I honestly hope you’ll manage to establish another relationship when I’ve gone. However, I have to admit to being nosy about who she was tonight and how you arranged the assignation.’
‘I was conned into something by a young prostitute,’ Timothy mumbled, surprised at his own candour.
He quickly explained what had happened and how he’d been duped, not sparing her any of the details. Mandy had asked for honesty and he provided it without frills.
‘You have to give her full marks for initiative,’ she said with amusement when he’d finished, ‘and she’s obviously a good actress, deserving every penny she gets for putting on such a performance for dirty old men like you. What a pity she has to pass the cash on to the pimp afterwards.’
‘I’m not sure he’s a pimp in the real sense of the word,’ he said slowly. ‘From what I saw, I think he’s just a boyfriend looking after the loot between clients.’
‘So she’s probably looking after his sexual urges as well?’
‘From the way they were behaving, I should think it’s a certainty,’ Timothy agreed with a frown. ‘Why is that so important?’
‘Just a little idea I’ve got,’ she murmured with an impish grin. ‘Even though you know what her game is, could you raise any enthusiasm for a second offering?’
‘What? You mean fuck her again?’ Timothy could hardly believe he was having this discussion with his wife. ‘To be absolutely truthful, yes I think I’d enjoy another shot, especially now I wouldn’t have to fight my conscience about the circumstances.’
‘Then let’s go back to the café tomorrow and see if she puts in an appearance,’ Mandy suggested eagerly. ‘If we find her, I’ll get lost while you make another appointment. Tell her how much you enjoyed the first time and beg for another opportunity, but, whatever you do, don’t let on you’ve cracked their little scam.’
‘Then what?’
‘You keep the appointment and, for the first time in your life, enjoy an adolescent floozy with my approval, but it’s important that you start with a condom this time,’ she said slowly. ‘I’ll come with you and remain out of sight until you’ve returned to the car, then I’ll put on a performance of my own.’
‘Doing what?’
‘Never mind, you don’t need to know that,’ his wife whispered. ‘All you’ve got to do is make the most of the opportunity, take pleasure from a good shag and then advise her that you enjoyed it better the first time without a condom, then leave the rest to me. Hopefully I’ll wreak a little revenge on your behalf.’
‘I’d rather know what you’re up to.’
‘Don’t worry, it’s nothing very drastic,’ she assured him, ‘and I’ll tell you all about it afterwards. You’ll act more naturally if you don’t know what’s to follow your pleasure. Now take me to bed as all the excitement is taking its toll.’
They sat in the café for an hour before she arrived. This time the blouse was pale blue, matching the original colour of the tight jeans. She looked even better than he’d remembered and it was difficult to grasp that her glowing innocence was only a veneer covering a devious whore.
Timothy nudged Mandy and carefully indicated to the girl as she strutted along the length of the counter, apparently contemplating the food on display but also ensuring every male in the vicinity had his eyes on her. Finally she joined the queue, purchased a can of cola and made for the same corner she’d used previously.
He watched her take stock of the potential clients as she looked around to assess each individual at the other tables. Their eyes met and she gave a brief smile before looking elsewhere.
‘Okay, I’m off to the loo,’ Mandy whispered. ‘Take care to maintain your infatuated image.’
He waited until his wife was out of sight, having made sure the youngster had seen her depart and then moved towards his goal.
‘Hello,’ he whispered, ‘remember me?’
For a moment she looked startled, turning her big blue eyes towards him.
‘Of course, how could I possibly forget,’ she eventually murmured with a warm smile. ‘It was your generosity that permits me to be here with cash in my pocket.’
‘I got good value for the money,’ he led her on, ‘and I hope you’ve got no regrets? You did seem a bit upset when I left last night.’