Sarah was woken early on Sunday morning, by the loud ringing of the bedside telephone. She answers:
"Oh...mummy! Yes, we're both OK. Struggling to keep ourselves entertained in the lockdown, but yes, both fit and healthy. A funeral? Oh, I see, that is very close to us. It's a long way for you to travel...were you really that close? Stay over? But the Covid restrictions? Well, no, we don't have anyone else in our safety 'bubble'. Yes, yes, of course we'd love to see you, but...oh, I see, you are there now. Yes, yes, we'll see you for lunch then."
Sarah sprang out of bed and ran down the stairs to unlock the hall cupboard. Adam was lying on his duvet dog bed and shielding his eyes from the sudden light.
"Quickly, Adam, mummy is coming for lunch. Don't ask! I'll fill you in later. Just get up, get showered and into some normal clothes!"
Adam's heart sank. He had never got on well with his mother in law, who always managed somehow to belittle him. Still, needs must, and he quickly got changed.
Downstairs in the kitchen, he worked with Sarah to prepare a suitably impressive lunch for her mother.
At 1.30 PM a taxi arrived to drop off the visiting parent and her two large cases.
Ms Cordelia Edwards gracefully exited the vehicle and paid the driver, with a large tip.
She smiled broadly as her daughter rushed forward to greet her, as best as she could manage, surprisingly wearing her new tight leather skirt and Louboutin high heels. Adam stood back slightly and allowed himself a moment to discretely observe his Mother-in-law's undoubted mature attractiveness.
Ms Edwards was a divorcee, in her early 50's. You could see immediately from her wonderful figure and long legs, where Sarah had inherited her good looks. However, Sarah would be the first to admit that she had not, unfortunately inherited her mother's stunningly attractive facial features. A former model, she attracted admiring glances wherever she went.
Adam took in her outfit: A beautifully tailored black suit; the jacket pinched at her slim waist by a wide black leather belt; black fur collar and cuffs; a matching tight knee-length skirt, with a rather flirty black fur trim to the hem. Elbow length black, calf leather gloves, with matching designer handbag. The hint of a white chiffon blouse, 'barely black' nylon stockings, high, shiny black heels, a very wide brimmed black hat covered in black ostrich feathers and a black lace veil, partially obscuring her immaculately made-up face and red lips...quite an ensemble!
As he stepped forward to plant a chaste kiss on her veiled cheek, he could already feel the stirrings of disturbing arousal, which this woman always seemed to stimulate in him.
After lunch, (accompanied by copious amounts of wine, Sarah and her mother retired to the lounge with a bottle of gin, leaving Adam to clear away in the kitchen. He was relieved to be on his own for a short while, though he could not help hearing the occasional burst of giggles coming from the room next door. The two women had a strong bond, and had always been open and frank about their relationships. Adam cringed, as he imagined their topics of conversation...
Finishing off the dirty dishes and sweeping the kitchen floor, curiosity got the better of him. Silently, he pressed his ear against the lounge door. Cordelia was speaking in a whisper:
"No! really? You wicked girl! A dog costume? Really, Sarah, that is simply too hilarious! In the hall cupboard? My you have been busy! No, surely he didn't agree to that. In the garden against a tree!"
Adam jumped as he heard his wife shout to him:
"Darling, can you bring us some coffee?"
He took a pot of freshly made coffee on a tray, with cups and 'petit fours'.
"I've been telling mummy about your fancy dress outfit, darling. You know, the doggy costume you tried on yesterday...why don't you put it on again...let mummy see you in it. It's such fun!"