It was only intended to be a joke.
It all began when my wife and I found that we had a kids free weekend coming up and any parents out there will understand exactly what that means.
We decided to make the most of it by having a weekend away, not far, only about forty miles but they say a change is as good as a rest and we'd got a good deal on a flat in one of those busy seaside resorts where there is always something to do.
Now it was only a long weekend, Friday afternoon till Monday morning so you might think that packing would be a doddle. It was, for me, a couple of shirts, underwear socks and razor, I could have thrown them in the glove compartment, but for Helen, my wife it was another matter altogether. She packed clothes for morning, clothes for afternoon, clothes for evening, clothes for good weather , clothes for bad weather.
She had the largest case we own and it was filled to the brim , with only her stuff, I left her to it and threw my carrier bag on the floor behind the drivers seat and waited.
Eventually she appeared "Would you carry my case down?" she asked.
I went upstairs and that was when I made my mistake, She hadn't got around to closing the lid, I looked at the pile of clothes most of which she would never wear and it was then I decided to teach her a lesson.
Lying right at the top were the bras and panties that she intended to take, I was pleased to see that she had also packed a few suspender belts and an assortment of stockings. The Devil took over, gently I lifted the panties out and replaced them in her drawer, the bras followed. I wasn't stupid enough to do the same with the suspenders and stockings, Hell I know what I like.
Quickly I closed and locked the case and carried it down and placed it in the boot of the car and we set off.
Half way there, I knew that I shouldn't have done it, there was bound to be a scene, but what the hell, I would take her shopping once we were there and it would be like a bonus for her, she would be over the moon.
The flat was on the first floor of an old Edwardian building and the owner issued us with more keys than a prison warder carries. One for the main door, two each for the flat door and keys for each of the internal doors, apparently there had been a spate of break ins so he was ultra careful. The flat itself had been designed for small families, with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, a double bedroom and a tiny box room which had squeezed into it a single bed. The settee in the living room also converted into a bed if required.
I was admiring the sea view from the living room , looking forward to a brisk walk on the sea front a little later when I heard the scream.
"Dave" She yelled "Where the hell is my underwear" Helen of course was in the bedroom unpacking.
I strolled to the open door a laugh on my face ""Just a joke, come on" I said 'I'll take you shopping for some more"
The look on her face told me it was not going to be as easy as that.
"Do you have any idea how long I spent selecting what I brought with me, the finest, the prettiest, the best quality and you expect to take me to find some supermarket to replace them. Well buster you are in for a hell of a shock. You're really going to suffer for this."
She shoved me out of the room and slammed the door in my face.
Now I don't know how you handle a situation like this but I find it best to keep a low profile till the heat dies down, so that 's what I did. I resumed my examination of the sea view deciding whether to take her for an Italian or Chinese meal by way of apology. That was when the bedroom door opened.
I hadn't expected a thaw as quickly as that and I hadn't been mistaken. Helen appeared carrying my carrier bag , she totally ignored me , instead she walked into the next room to the bedroom, which was the box room I mentioned and tossed the carrier bag in.
Then she returned to the bedroom and closed the door. I heard the key turning in the lock.
Time to give her some space I decided, well after 17 years of marriage you learn to gauge things don't you. No that's right you never learn to gauge things.
I went off for a stroll around the town leaving her to rage or sulk or throw things or whatever suited her. I found a nice Italian restaurant and booked a table for two for 8pm, I picked up a local paper to check out the entertainment and then I found a branch of Marks & Spencer and blushing furiously I bought 3 sets of lingerie for her.
Slowly I returned to the flat knowing that by now she would want to make peace and walked in just as she was walking out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her.
"To make up " I said handing her the Marks & Spencer carrier bag. She took it, looked inside and walked into the kitchen and tossed the bag and contents down the rubbish chute, looked at me with contempt and walked back to the bedroom and once again locked the door.
Now I knew I was in real trouble. I sat on the settee and tried to decide what to do next.
After about 30 minutes the bedroom door opened, she emerged looking absolutely gorgeous. She was wearing a short flared blue skirt and a black blouse beneath which her unfettered 36b breasts were bouncing about happily. From the hem of her skirt I could see the black lycra indicating the stockings she was wearing, her blonde hair was brushed down over her shoulders and the make up was perfect, not too much, not too little, her favourite perfume wafted through the air.
Peace at last I decided. No I was wrong, ignoring me totally she turned and locked the bedroom door, checked her appearance in the mirror and promptly walked out of the flat door. I couldn't believe it. She was going out in the outfit I loved her to wear , her "fuck me now " outfit, without any underwear and she was leaving me behind. I made to go after her and stopped, I looked the same as I had when I drove here , I needed a shave , a bath and to get changed.