It had been almost three months since Danny had first met Kath. Since then, they'd had numerous liaisons within the confines of the house, usually in the kitchen as it was easy to clean up any human residues afterwards. Danny had also had his 'instructional meeting' with Bernice but hadn't seen anything of her since their tryst. Kath had seen her about and commented that she seemed like a new woman. She'd had highlights put in her hair, brought some new clothes and seemed to have a spring in her step. The reason for this was divulged one Thursday morning following one of Danny and Kath's regular sessions.
They were dressed and sitting in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea when Bernice rushed in, almost forgetting to knock on the door. She was quite breathless.
"Hey, Kath, I just had to come and tell you. Guess what, I'm pregnant. I'm having a baby!" She was crying tears of joy. Kath stood up and put her arms round her and gave her a big hug.
"Oh congratulations, Bernice!" She said. "When is it due?"
"Mid May, May 14th to be exact," said Bernice. "Oh I'm so excited! We only found out for sure today. Liam's away for the weekend from early tomorrow until Sunday night, so we'll have a celebration when he gets back as he's got a few weeks off work."
"Congratulations," said Danny, trying to work out the maths in his head. He was trying to think what day he and Bernice had had their liaison and concluded that for the baby to be born when Bernice said, she must have conceived at the end of July or early August, so he was in the clear.
"What does Liam think about it, and Charlotte?" Kath asked.
"They are over the moon. Liam can't wait to be a dad again. He's thinking of getting another job so he can be nearer home and Charlotte can't wait to have a baby brother or sister even though she'll be twenty when it's born."
Kath was right, she certainly looked different. Danny couldn't take his eyes off her. The mumsy look had been replaced by that of a sophisticated lady. In place of the old fashioned dresses she wore a smart black knee length pencil skirt and a red short sleeved button through blouse. The flat shoes had been replaced by a pair of black low heeled sling back sandals. Danny couldn't help but wonder what else had been changed though he knew he would never get to find out, at least not yet. He couldn't help but think that her becoming pregnant was indirectly down to him a few months earlier.
The two women spent a few minutes talking about when their earlier pregnancies and how procedures had changed in that time. When Bernice had gone, Kath turned to Danny.
"I can't believe the change in her," she said. "If you'd said to me three months ago that she would be a mum again next year, I'd have laughed at you. I wonder what happened to change that. You know her husband was pretty well impotent from what she told me. He had no interest in sex at all plus he was away a lot. I say, you don't think she's had another man, do you? You read about these things you know!"
Danny laughed. "Well, you never know, do you? You read about these older women who have toy boys. Perhaps Bernice has one!"
Kath looked at him. "Are you having a pop at me?" she said and punched him playfully in the ribs.
Danny reached over and tickled her also in the ribs, causing her to squeal loudly.
"Me? Never! What on earth makes you say that?" He gave her a kiss on the lips. "Listen," he said, changing the subject. "Are you doing anything tomorrow? Why don't we go out somewhere? The weather forecast is good. It will be a change."
Kath thought for a moment. "I've got a check-up at the dentist at ten thirty, but I'm not doing anything special otherwise so why not? Roy and I used to go to Morecambe a lot. It's quiet there, there's plenty of car parking and places to eat. We had some good days out there. Pick me up around eleven."
"Excellent," thought Danny. Morecambe was only just over an hour's drive away so they would be there in time for lunch and the rest of the day would be theirs. He started formulating some plans in his mind.
The next morning dawned fine but cloudy. Danny was outside Kath's house by half past ten. Of course, he knew that Kath wouldn't be there, but he had an ulterior motive. He locked his car and walked back to Bernice's house. Her car was outside, so he knew she wouldn't be too far away, and rang the doorbell. She answered the door.
"Oh, hello," she said looking surprised. "I didn't expect to see you. I thought you were taking Kath out for the day."
"I am," said Danny. "I'm a bit early. I forgot she was going to the dentist so I just thought I'd pop by and offer my congratulations about your happy event.""
"Thanks," said Bernice. "Do you want to come in for a minute?"
"Okay," he said. Bernice stood aside and he walked past her into the hallway. She closed the front door and ushered him through into the lounge.
"Sit down," she said. Danny sat on the sofa and she sat in an armchair opposite. She certainly did look different. Her hair was slightly longer and had been styled in a smart page boy cut. She wore a black knee length pencil skirt with a navy blue short sleeved top.
"So, you took my advice then, said Danny eyeing up her new appearance.
"Sort of," said Bernice. "I decided that I couldn't go on in a sexless marriage. Although I love Liam, I wanted more so the day after our session I went to the charity shop in the High Street and bought two new skirts like this and a few tops, then I went to the hairdressers and had my hair done. I put this skirt and top on and when Liam came home, I did as you said. Luckily Liam took the bait, but if he hadn't, I think that would have been the end of our marriage."
"So, you haven't looked back then?" said Danny.
"No," she said. "I led him to the bedroom within ten minutes of him walking through the door and we were there until eleven o'clock the next morning. We were that busy he forgot to go to the betting shop! Every morning before he left for work and as soon as he got in, and in between, he's been at it. He's hardly seen any racing! He has a different sport to concentrate on now."
"Good," said Danny, "I am pleased. Tell me, is this all you bought at the charity shop?" He pointed to her clothes.
"How do you mean," she said looking puzzled.