My wife and I have decided to share our story. While she will proof each chapter before I submit it she has left me to tell it from my perspective.
Chapter 1
I will begin last summer. After much talk and planning we drove from our home in the north of England, south to Bristol.
It was a beautiful evening we travelled into. The sun fell over the Welsh hills, stretching shadows across the motorway. For a Friday rush hour the traffic seemed relaxed. It was if the world taking an unhurried breath, enjoying the beauty of evening and the promise of the weekend to come.
I didn't rush the drive, leaving my left hand on Amy's thigh as I steered. She mirrored the contact, occasionally stroking her fingers over my crotch; an unnecessary reminder of the sexual anticipation that filled the car.
Almost dreamily the city welcomed us. We could sense the build of good feeling and excitement that a warm, summer evening can bring.
We checked into the hotel holding hands and kissed passionately once we were in our room. I fixed Amy a cold glass of white wine and took a lager for myself out of our cool bag.
Our balcony overlooked the docks - a joining of old and new. As the light died the rejuvenated area was coming to life. Noise from people relaxing and enjoying the evening was building beneath us.
There was only an hour until we had to meet Ben. Amy said she was going to take a shower. I watched her undress, both of us aware of the lust that the sight of her body created in me. I went back to the window and watched people passing below me. The coloured lights of numerous bars reflected all around the edge of the water.
Amy came out of the bathroom. I went over and kissed her. I could feel her nerves in her kiss. As always I was tantalised by the beauty of her breasts and I wondered whether Ben would be getting this view of her later in the evening.
I had fantasied about this event for years and there was a feeling of disbelief that this may be the night that my fantasy was realised. While she sat on the bed I towelled her back and kissed her neck. She drank wine rather quickly and dried her hair. We hardly spoke, occasionally kissing.
Amy put on the new underwear she had bought the previous weekend and pulled on a crimson dress which worked nicely around her tall figure.
Simultaneous waves of pride and doubt rose in me. We left the hotel. The bar we had arranged to meet Ben in was only a short walk. Amy gripped my hand hard.
"Nervous?" I asked.
"Just a bit," she laughed.
"Don't be. You look beautiful," I told her for about the fourth time.
"And nothing has to happen if you don't want it too," I added, almost wishing nothing to happen since I loved her so much and was now experiencing a doubt that this was really what I wanted.
Amy squeezed my hand. "I know."
We entered the bar and Amy spotted Ben straight away. Although I had seen photos of him it felt like a gut punch to see him for real. He was tall and slim with broad shoulders and a welcoming smile. He gave off an air of relaxed friendliness and I couldn't help but like him. It was the first time that Amy had seen him in over a decade but it didn't look like it. They exchanged easy kisses on their cheeks and Amy turned to introduce me.
Ben's handshake felt genuine as he said,"Great to meet you, Pete."
"Great to meet you too, Ben," I replied. "Amy's always talking about you."
"Well I've heard a lot about you too. Sit down and let me get you guys a drink."
"No, I'll get them," I said, not letting him past. "You two need to catch up!"
When I got to the bar I felt a sweat all over my body. This was really happening! I looked over at them. They looked great together, incredibly relaxed considering that the only contact they had had in years was by text or Facebook. Again I experienced the dual emotions of excitement and fear.
Ben had chosen a good bar to meet; busy but not crowded. I glanced around. The customers were a real mix of ages although the place had a youthful energy. Amy was easily the best looking woman of her age in the building. I observed Ben looking at her as Amy put her head back and laughed at something he said. It was clear he made the same judgement. I felt another shot of pride.
I re-joined them with a tray of drinks. The plan had been for me to stay as long as it took both Amy and I to feel she was safe with Ben but any doubt either of us might have had been dispelled before I even got back to them. I quizzed Ben a little about his work as a photographer and his climbing. His answers were polite but humble. I liked it that he didn't want to talk much about himself. I decided against trying to change the conversation to their past, about how they met.
It was a story I had made Amy tell me dozens of times. They had still been teenagers when they both took jobs at a summer camp in Spain. They each taught watersports to holidaying kids there during the day, but the evenings sounded like endless hedonist parties of alcohol, spliffs and sex. Amy and Ben had soon paired up, spending every drunken night together having carefree sex in Ben's tent. Amy was proud of the fact that their co-workers would applaud them when they had finished, having been listening to their efforts from their own tents.
All this was nearly 20 years ago. They had kept in touch and met up a few times in the years immediately following their return to England, but that sexed up summer formed the basis of their history together.
We were all a little nervous and drinking quickly. Ben offered to get another round of drinks in but I took the chance to make my leave.
"I've got to be going," I lied. "It's great to meet you, Ben!"
I looked into his eyes. "I hope you have a very special evening," I told him while I shook his hand.
"Thanks," he laughed, a little uncomfortably.
Amy stood up and smiled at me a little nervously.
"Ok?" I asked.
"Yes!" she grinned. "I'll text you."
