Arriving at his work mates' home Jim wondered if he should just keep on driving past but somehow managed to walk to the door and ring the bell.
"Hi Jim, glad you could make it." The large man shook his hand in a warm grip obviously unaware that Jim had taken his wife a few days ago.
One hurdle was over but what would it be like meeting Melody again.
"Hello Jim. It's nice to meet you after all the good things my husband has said about you. He is so pleased with you taking over the office on such short notice, he can get away that much sooner." Melody laughed, hiding the embarrassment behind a smile. It was unnerving talking to this young man who had taken her in her own home, like a secret affair it had to be kept confidential. She had to pretend not to know anything about it herself and having to act as though it never happened was a strain.
Despite the naughty secret she was happy not having been hypnotised for the last two weeks. When Angus started his travels she would be left in peace, without the worry of telling her husband that she knew what he had been doing to her the last two years. The problem of telling him had only arisen with the fear that a stranger might take advantage of her as Jim had.
Jim thought Melody looked radiant. Obviously dressed and decorated without a man's influence she looked more attractive than when he had seen her last. How that could be possible Jim couldn't work out, the subtle female differences were beyond him. Perhaps it was the smile that shone from an inner contentment or maybe it was that he knew she wore stockings under that captivating dress. No cleavage was revealed and it was long yet more alluring.
As they sat with an aperitif Jim looked around the ordinary room hardly able to believe anything unusual had happened in that very lounge two weeks ago. Trying to put it out of his mind he concentrated on making small talk.
"So when are you off Angus?" He asked.
"Tomorrow morning. I have a flight to Canada then a local train to Vancouver to pick up the Rockies Special."
"Don't get him started on all that. I thought he was going to take me with him only I'm pleased to say it's to be a solitary adventure. Excuse me but I need to see to dinner. Just don't bore the young man, try to think of something else for a change." Melody teased her husband on the way out of the door.
"Didn't she mind you going?" Jim asked.
"No. Not at all! She seemed relieved, not just from avoiding a boring trip on trains for a couple of months. She seemed to be glad to see me gone. I guess we've been married long enough to need some space. How are you set up here in town, still in that crummy motel room? Well, why don't you move in here until you find an apartment? It would make me feel better if you were keeping an eye on the place and looking out for Melody. This neighbourhood looks nice but you never know who's wondering around." Angus suggested.
Jim protested but before he could get really going on a list of excuses Melody called them into the dinning room.
Melody choked on a potato when Angus mentioned his idea; quickly recovering she scolded her husband. "I'm sure Jim would rather have his own space. It's just the thought of you paying out for a hotel room that's inspired this idea. Angus doesn't like to spend money needlessly."
"She's a good cook, there's plenty of room here and it's a good security measure." Angus looked mindfully at Jim, with a slight frown. "He's not involved with anyone and will be too busy for late nights out with the boys, besides the guys in the office are too old or too married to be much fun. You could still claim your motel room on expenses from head office." Angus winked at Jim. It seemed he wouldn't take no for an answer.
After dinner the two men sipped port in the lounge mellowing. "Jim. If you were here you could keep an eye on her for me. Just in case the hypnosis causes a problem. I don't think it will, but, in an emergency there needs to be someone here to look out for her. Just say yes."
Jim thought about it and the idea began to grow on him. "Alright, I'll see how it goes." He could always move out while Angus was away and felt sure Melody wouldn't object when he did.
Melody was worried by the idea of Jim moving in not just because she was looking forward to having her own space. So far she hadn't thought what to do with so-called free time and what was space anyway. Although Jim knew the password he couldn't use it until she was hypnotised and no one but Angus knew the phrase to put her under. It meant she was safe yet there was a pleasant awareness of a little danger agreeing to him staying.
***
Next morning Jim carried a suitcase into the house, containing the meagre possessions brought to town. Everything from the apartment at home was in storage. He'd made that arrangement over the phone since learning he was to stay at the branch office. So what now? Melody seemed a little distant, slightly nervous about a stranger invading her home. He was travelling light so it would be easy to back out of the arrangement and find another motel room
"What have you done to your neck?" He asked.
"Oh! I must have slept awkwardly. Would you like a coffee?" She asked, meaning to escape to the kitchen out of his way. She knew it was from tension; the awkwardness of having Jim in the house. Somehow she was going to manoeuvre him out or perhaps arrange a vacation for herself, somewhere warm and relaxing with attentive staff.
He followed her not feeling comfortable just plonking himself down in the lounge waiting to be served. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea after all. "Can I help?"
Hearing his voice sp close behind her she dropped a cup into the sink. 'I must be more on edge than I realised.' She thought.
Deciding to make her feel more at ease Jim whispered the phrase into her ear. He watched her straighten with both arms at her sides, a neutral expression upon her face. She seemed to be waiting for something and it wasn't a train.
Melody inwardly gasped. 'No! How did he find that out?' She was suddenly so terribly vulnerable in a too familiar hypnotic trance. 'What will he do to me?' She dare not imagine. This state had been deepened over months of practice with her husband until it had become irresistible. At the moment he couldn't command her to do anything but she was powerless to run away and hide from him. What made it so galling was that she had inadvertently revealed the password that would enable him to order her about. She was powerless to prevent him saying it. All he had to do now was say the password and she would be completely under his control.
