Then there was Jan. No she didn't really go away, still in my thoughts. In fact given my present situation, it would have been damned odd if she hadn't been. I'd bumped into Jan earlier this morning and had allowed myself to be seduced into having coffee with her. The thought had been a pleasant one, Jan's company was welcome. The thought of going back to our empty house had been banished as she stuck her arm though mine as we walked back across the park. I'd better add that no one thought it odd of Jan, or you, if you walked arm in arm with her - again that was Jan.
And now here I was, coffee mug in hand, sat on a cushion at her feet, leaning back, the settee edge against my back, my left arm over her knees. At peace with the world, conversation momentarily ceased as we both gazed into the flickering flames of the log fire.
She spoke first, "But Sven, if that were the case, and you were worried about Pat's possible infidelity, why did you let her go?"
I thought carefully for a while before I answered. "In the end we have to trust each other. We've been together a long time now - we know each others needs. I know she will want to have sex, note I said sex, not make love, before this course finishes. I don't know whether she likes anyone there enough to sleep with them. Perhaps she will, perhaps she won't. But the opportunity will be there if she wants it to be. In the same way as it might be here for me." I paused for a moment at that point, then continued, "We did discuss some while back. Rather more matter-of-factly than I thought we ever would."
Jan asked, "who brought the subject up?"
I responded, "It sort of happened, but in retrospect I think she steered it that way. I think she was thinking of this month - we were trying to cover eventualities for the time she was away."
Jan said "very pragmatic..."
"Yes - wasn't it." I laughed a little and went on "the only thing we couldn't decide on was whether we should tell each other about the experience when we got back together again."
"Well?"
"Funny I don't know." I turned and looked up at her, "Jan you know us both well, what do you think?"
"Hmm," was the response,Maybe it ought to be a case of what the eye doesn't see..."
We were silent again, comfortable with each others company, in a way good friends often are.
A little while later as the fire settled the clock in the hall struck the hours and I realised I needed to move and finish off some chores before getting home. I stretched a little and then got up.
Jan murmured "Pity, do you have to go? I was enjoying the company."
I grinned and said that I did, adding that really I should apologise for not feeling very chatty.
"So!" Was her response - "sometimes good company doesn't need to be garrulous, in fact just being about each other is nice. Heavens! You and Pat can't spend all your time nattering...."
I dug her in the ribs, not to hard of course, thanked her for the coffee, gave her a kiss and patted her bottom gently. She held my hand in place with hers and kissed me again, a little more firmly. On the mouth actually. With a little bit of tongue as well. We separated a little and looked at each other. If there was a mental shrug, I missed it, but only because we started kissing again. Unbidden my other hand matched up and joined its neighbour. Well almost, in fact it went to the other bottom half and I felt it pull Jan into me, just a little. Jan's arms went round the back of my neck and held me rather more tightly. I think she purred. If not she should have done.
We came up for air and Jan half turned and leaned back into me, my hands across her middle, her head laid back on my shoulder and tucked into the hollow of my neck. She sighed contentedly. Then without moving or looking round said, "Come to bed with me," then without waiting for an answer took my hand and simply walked towards her bedroom.
I followed, it seemed a natural thing to do at that point. Passing the long-case clock, I said "Jan - are you sure - for goodness sake it's ten past eleven in the morning..."
