Mice Will Play

And The Mice Will Play

The car was driven slowly into the driveway as Diane slammed the
utility room door shut, ran into the lounge and sank into the plush
burgundy sofa.
"OK," she said softly to herself, "I'll just play it nice and
cool."
The moment Roger came through the door, Diane made a point of looking
at the clock on the wall.
"Roger, where have you been?" she asked, with a hint of concern in her
voice, "I've been worried sick."
He allowed himself an apologetic smile, "Oh honey, I'm really sorry, I
was going?"
"To phone? Is that what you were going to say? Well I phoned the
office and there was no answer. You're over two hours late, Roger." She
paused for greater effect. "Two hours!" she said slowly and
deliberately.
"Honey, let me explain?" pleaded Roger as he threw his jacket over the
back of the chair.
"Go on then, I'm all ears," she replied impatiently as the
well-intentioned 'cool' approach became hotter. She was always
suspicious of him whenever he patronised her by calling her
'honey'.
"As I was crossing the moors, the car just died on me and rolled to a
stop. Damn thing wouldn't start again and I had to call out the
Breakdown Club." He knew she didn't believe him by the way she was
rolling her eyes upwards and particularly in view of what had happened
in the past.
"Oh yes? So tell me Roger, when you phoned this Breakdown Club, didn't
you think of phoning me?"
"Honey, I would have but?"
"Stop calling me 'Honey'!" she spat back at him, " where have you
really been, where?" Her body language told Roger that she meant
business now, hands on hips and staring menacingly at him. He too was
starting to lose patience and his shouting now matched Diane's, decibel
for decibel.
"Woman! I've said it once and I'll say it again. I broke down and had
to call out the Breakdown Club, OK?" before adding, "and the reason I
couldn't phone you was because the batteries in the mobile need
recharging. Now that's all there is to it."
There were a few seconds of tense silence before Diane calmly and
quietly gave the response that Roger somehow expected.
"I'm sorry, but I just don't believe you."
Roger let out a huge sigh, not of relief but of disbelief. Shaking his
head, he made his way up the stairs, "I'm going up for a shower," he
said.
As he reached the top of the stairs, Diane came thundering up behind
him two steps at a time before grabbing him violently by the
shoulders.
"You've been seeing her again, haven't you? Why are you lying to me
Roger? Why?" She screamed at him.
"You know that's not true. That was months ago but at least I know now
how little you trust me."
She gave a sarcastic laugh. "Huh! What wife would trust her husband
again after he'd cheated on her for eight months?" She looked up at the
ceiling before adding, "or was it nine? Not exactly a one-night stand
was it? God I can't believe I've given you a second chance," she was
prodding him hard in his chest while continuing with her verbal attack,
" and if I find out it's started off again - then I'll kill you, do you
hear?"
Roger didn't reply. They had gone through this before. In any case,
the sudden interruption of the doorbell ringing seemed to signify the
end of Round One, although he was sure that Round Two would soon be
starting.
"Oh maybe that's the sweet little lady now," she snapped at him, "I'll
just go and invite her in shall I, what does she drink, coffee? No, I
suppose she has Earl Grey!" She was still muttering obscenities as she
flung the door open wide and was greeted by a man in dirty blue
overalls and a baseball cap.
"Mrs. Gordon?" he asked.
She hesitated, "Erm, yes that's right."
" Oh I'm sorry to bother you and your good husband, my dear," he said
with a gravelly voice, "but I was called out earlier to your husband.
The thing is, you see, I forgot to take his membership number. Got all
the other details but for the sake of my paperwork?"
"Erm, yes, if you would just like to step in I'll get him for
you."
"I had another call just round the corner so thought I'd drop by and
ask. Hope I haven't called at a bad time," he called to her.
"No not at all," she replied, before calling from the bottom of the
stairs in a lady-like manner,"Roger!"
Roger didn't answer.
"Roger darling!" she called again.
Still he refused to answer. What's the point, he thought to himself,
she's seen her mistake and now wants to make amends -- until next time.
He flung his shirt onto the bathroom floor.
"Someone here to see you," she continued to shout, "from the Breakdown
Club." It hurt her to have to say that. It was all the proof Roger
needed.
The bathroom door opened and a bare chested Roger came down the stairs,
red polka dot marks still showing where she had prodded him just a few
minutes ago.
"Sorry to bother you and your good wife, Mr Gordon, but could I have
your membership number? I clean forgot earlier," the mechanic said as
he pulled a tatty form from his upper pocket.
"Certainly," he said while he gave Diane a look that could kill.
Diane felt herself blushing, "Erm, if you two gentlemen would excuse me
for a minute, there's something I must see to." She quickly made her
way to the utility room and opened the door into the garden.
She called quietly, "Craig!"
Craig appeared from behind the garden shed, "Is it safe now?"
"Just go, now," she whispered back, "quickly, before anyone sees
you!"
"Will I see you tomorrow?"
"Of course, now just go," she replied, as she blew her lover a kiss
before he disappeared over the garden fence.

She came back into the lounge and looked sheepishly at Roger.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm so sorry."
"Honey, when will you start to trust me? You know I trust you, don't
you?"
Diane thought it best not to answer ? she had lived dangerous enough
for one day. But tomorrow?