Though the village had its share of gossips no one in the pub worried when Lisa, the 25yr old shy housewife joined the business-suited fifty-year-old man in a cosy corner. She was being friendly and anyway they knew her husband Colin would be along shortly. Often Lisa would arrive first to enjoy a quiet drink knowing the little inn would be full of people she knew, villagers and local farmers, and, as was the case tonight the occasional traveller seeking refreshments or a room.
The man was a salesman, outgoing and gregarious who had already chatted away incessantly to the locals, buying them drink, but nevertheless they were very glad to give their ears a rest when he and Lisa retired into an alcove to sit by the fire. Colin looked around when he entered the pub confused that his wife wasn't sat with friends at the bar but a gesture from the barmaid pointed him in the right direction. Big Bill the businessman shook his hand eagerly patting him on the back before buying another round of drinks. It seemed Colin had no choice but to accept the company and generosity of the jolly man.
Lisa, Colin noticed, was very comfortable with the guy – unusual for her as she was normally very shy with strangers. The young husband too became relaxed with this man who fussed over his wife entertaining her with stories, some bawdy but all very amusing and interesting. He was away from home, liked to flirt with and impress ladies and sought out company to avoid getting lonely, decided Colin, therefore was harmless. The husband went off to answer the call of nature happy with that thought though knowing his brain was under the influence of drinking too much of the single malt whiskey the guy had kept putting in front of him. Colin was really a beer man and had mixed the spirit with his usual five pints of strong local ale.
How cosy his wife looked almost cuddled up to the prematurely greying man thought Colin on his way back from the gentleman's room. His ears picked up the conversation that made his senses perk up. The pair sat giggling at one of the man's more ribald comments.
"How did you manage to get talking about wife-swapping?" Colin asked in his broad country accent.
"Bill told me some stories about it earlier," Lisa informed her husband, "More about wife-watching really."
She was being very bold, unlike her normal self.
"You've come across it then?" asked Colin to the man.
"Of course, it's very common," said the experienced man, "Don't get me wrong I'm not ridiculing the practice. There's nothing wrong with it – it's just another way consenting adults can have some fun and experience something very erotic."
The phenomenon was discussed at length until Lisa, very coyly told the man, "We've read about it in magazines – I've often wondered about it but I don't think it goes on in these parts."
She had 'wondered' about it - this was certainly news to Colin.
The woman giggled, "The men around here are all farming stock – they would think it a slur on their manliness if they saw their wife enjoying herself with another man."
Bill laughed and nudged her with his elbow, "Otherwise you'd give it a go eh?"
The look Lisa gave her husband caused his stomach to jolt and his head to spin. It was a brief look but said volumes – no words were needed. It appeared her mood now changed, as though when she looked at her husband she was seeking signs, answers to some unasked question. Her husband looked back, trying to convey to her that though he knew what the question in her head was he didn't know the answer.
"So all kinds of people try it out then, this wife swapping and sharing, watching thing?"
Bill suddenly became quite serious and quietly explained in great detail what it was all about, including the pitfalls of jealousy and suchlike.
"You have to know what you are getting into," he said watching for Colin's reaction. "It's a case of remembering to treat each other respectfully and being honest about things."
Lisa stared hard at her husband but her comments were addressed to Bill, "The men round here treat their women like part of the livestock - possessions."
"No problem then," joked Bill, "Farmers watch their animals fornicating don't they?" His laughter at his own witticism filled the room.
"Yes," said a still half serious Lisa keeping her eyes fixed on her husband, "But they wouldn't like it if they saw their wives enjoying it!"
Colin, was becoming agitated, "By 'they', are you really referring to me?" he demanded of his wife. "I've never seen you like this before, so outspoken, you're usually very shy!"
Bill sensed the tension and laughed quieter now but couldn't resist another smart quip, "It's because she's turned on with all this talk about sex with other men!"
He laughed alone until he noticed how the young housewife had coloured up and was now looking very guilty like her innermost private secrets had just been made public then he stopped his guffawing noticing how Colin too was quite taken aback. Lisa smiled and mumbled, embarrassed but didn't deny the insinuation of her sexual arousal instead simply asking the men to not embarrass her. The atmosphere however, rather than being spoilt had a tingle, an electricity and Colin now laughed out loud attempting to cover the intrigue he felt on seeing his wife almost apologise for her open display of sexuality.
"Oh my, it's got very warm in here!" she laughed.
Colin smiled back to his wife and turned to Bill as though showing that no offence had been taken. They all chatted a while longer until aware most folks had already left they thought that they too ought to drain their glasses.
"Have you far to go?" asked Bill, who had already booked a room in the inn.
"Just a couple of hundred yards," said Colin who then went on to describe the cottage they lived in.
"Sounds really nice – the perfect country cottage!" said Bill.
" We could have showed it to you, couldn't we Lisa – if it hadn't got so late." His voice faltered and tailed off as though waiting for her to make the obvious suggestion.
They all wobbled to their feet, the alcohol taking its full effect now they had stood.
"Think how bad we'll be when the night air hits us!" laughed Colin.
