Chapter 01: Escaping Misery
Moving in with Chris was meant to be a fresh start for us both. Things had not been well between us for a long time. We'd been together two years and the problem was his drinking.
He'd always liked his beer and wine - and I had too when we'd first met. Well, I'd been 20 then. It's just that, as all our friends grew older and settled into relationships, Chris, then 26, didn't seem to want to do anything. Even when I was pregnant, he'd leave me alone at home so he could go out drinking with his mates. That's when I realized just what alcohol meant to him. Yet I was afraid to broach the subject with Chris. I was afraid he was an alcoholic, and loved the booze more than he loved me.
But eventually we reached crisis point. I discovered we were behind with the rental payments on our house and were about to be evicted. Chris was a self-employed builder and was taking care of the rent, so I thought, so I'd no idea he'd missed three months payments. He'd used the money on drink and gambling. I was afraid too that he was cheating on me. I had lost our baby and had not felt much like intimacy.
I went mad, and only stayed with him because he was so sorry. He practically camped outside the estate agents, waiting for an affordable home to appear on the market. Eventually he found a house that he intended to buy for us. It wasn't much, and needed a lot of work, but we were in no position to be choosy.
Chris felt so bad that he persuaded a work apprentice, James, to help decorate. I was pleased Chris wanted to redeem himself so badly, and didn't mind having James around the house. He was so easy on the eye!
He was really tall, about 6ft 4in, but not self-conscious like some big men, despite being only 18. I really appreciated him giving up his weekend to help us out. So I made them both a coffee as Chris and James got stuck into painting the living room.
By lunchtime, Chris was declaring it 'thirsty work' and opened the first of many beers. Naturally, James had some too, but he just sipped at his. Chris must have drunk three for every one James had.
I spent the afternoon keeping out of the way. It was a lovely day, so had put on my two piece bikini and spent the afternoon sunning myself in the garden. For the first time in months I was feeling sexy again. My figure had returned, and the bikini accentuated my womanly curves. The warm sun on my skin and the scent of sun tan lotion had got me feeling really horny.
By evening time Chris was crashed out on the sofa. James look embarrassed for me.