PAUL

I think Sarah was itching for an excuse to launch into full scale war but equally I knew she would regret it. She's not built for confrontation and I couldn't face the thought of spending the next month reliving every nuance and harsh word, remorselessly justifying her actions over and over again.

Johnnie had a sensible moment and texted me so I was prepared for the cool atmosphere when I walked in and didn't linger. It suited me well actually, I told Mum I'd walk up and see them the next weekend and we even managed to get home before dinner burnt.

Johnnie went home that evening and it was about four weeks before we heard from him again apart from the occasional text. I kept a bit of an eye on Sarah for the first fortnight after the accident but she seemed to have got over her distracted phase. Actually she seemed happier than I'd seen her in a while.  I asked her about it but didn't get anything sensible, she mumbled something about arecurring dream and realising that it didn't matter if she couldn't serve spaghetti.

I didn't understand but she changed the topic before I had the opportunity to ask. As everything else seemed fine I didn't push the matter. Come to think of it she didn't serve spaghetti once during that month, even when we hadbolognese she served it with fusilli but I avoid commenting on cooking so I let that lie as well.

When we did hear from Johnnie again it was to ask if we wanted to meet them for dinner in The Horseman. We've met there several times since Johnnie moved away from home, it's a good compromise for both parties and the food isn't bad either. Typically he wanted to go out the same evening which always sends Sarah into a flat spin. She can't stand plans changing at the last minute, even when we have nothing else planned, it makes her evil tempered. She normally refuses to come out if I spring things on her but as it was Johnnie that wasn't an option this time.

I arranged for Dad to come round and babysit for us. We don't generally leave Danny at home; where we go, he goes and it doesn't go down very well on the rare occasions that we do leave him. It makes Sarah feel dreadful, he does love to go out and about, especially if there is a restaurant involved but I think it's good for us to have time alone.

It was different when he was very small and neither of us had parents close at hand, we couldn't really justify leaving him with anyone. It's different now he's older. He loves my Mum and Dad and he has to get used to spending time with people other than us. Still, the double blow did not go down well, I caught her in the bathroom,

'What are you doing love?'

'I thought I'd have a nice hot soak in the bath. De-stress a little. I could do with it.' She was right there. Under the bright lights of our bathroom (I've always maintained that multiple halogen lamps were a mistake) she looked tired; slack-jawed and dull-eyed.

'You'd better be quick.'

'Why? You do realise you just used the word 'quick' in reference to a bath involving me and not you didn't you?'

Right again. Sarah, like all women of my acquaintance, was capable of spending the best part of the evening in the bath. I don;t understand it myself, a quick ten minute soak, enough of a pause to scrub all the important bits and that's it surely? Wallowing in my own filth has never been high on my list of priorities. But maybe I'm missing the point.

'Johnnie just texted me, he wants to meet in The Horseman for a dinner. I thought it would be nice, it's a while since we've seen him and Trish, so I said yes. I 'phoned Dad too, he said he'll look after Danny and Mum said she'll drive us there so we can go out and have a few drinks. It's been ages since we've had the chance to go out.'

'Oh Paul. You know how much I hate...'

'Changing plans, yes I know love but you know Johnnie never plans his free time very far in advance. Anyway, you could do with a relaxing evening away from everything.'

She didn't look impressed by my reasoning, 'That was what the bath was for.'

'And when was the last time you managed to have a bath without interruptions?'

I didn't add that I could hardly remember the last time we managed to do anything without some kind of interruption from Danny.

'It's only the pub so it's not like you have to get dressed up or anything and it'll be a laugh once we get there.'

I could sense the huge pit that my fake plastic smile was falling into but was determined to stick with this one, bracing myself for a barrage of reasons not to go out.

'Have you seen my skin?'

'Kind of difficult not to love, it's all over you.'

I regretted that as soon as I'd said it, there is, as I have often been told, a time and a place for flippancy. This, I gathered, was neither the time nor the place.

'Sorry. Not helping am I? But you know I don't notice these things and Johnnie and Trish won't either.'

'Johnnie won't.'

There was pure cat in that tone, I could feel her claws extending. In general terms I share her opinion of Trish, don't think she's in it for the long term but I'm not sure it's right of us to judge her all the time even if it is satisfying.

'Come on love. That's hardly a reason not to go out, if it's a valid point at all. I mean, what's she going to say?'

'Oh, Paul, do we have to? I really don't feel like it.'

'I know you don't but yes, we do. You'll be ok once we get there - when do you ever want to go out unless it's your idea huh?'

'Well I suppose that's true.'

I sensed the slightest faltering of resistance - too good an opportunity to let up without sticking a wedge in it.

'Besides, what's Trish going to think if we don't show? They'll be leaving soon - there's not enough time really to ring and cancel.'

That was, I admit, a low blow but playing on the female competitive instinct has helped me a lot in the past so I thought it was worth a try.She knew what I was doing, I've never been good at subtlety but, despite the raised eyebrows, she couldn't help going for the bait.

'You know I know exactly what she'd think. If we go what time do we have to leave?'

Nearly there, 'In about twenty minutes. We could stretch that to half an hour if you need.'

I could see her considering, then she gave me her 'Just because I love you, and by the way you're going to make this up to me later' look.

'Fifteen minutes. Now bugger off so I can get some clothes on. I certainly know what she'd think if I turned up in my birthday suit.'

'She'd think What a gorgeous, sexy, utterly fabulous lady.' I was pushing it a bit but there's nothing wrong with a bit of shameless flattery even if it did bring me a look that clearly stated that I'd pushed just about far enough.

'God I hope not. Go on, go and get me a drink will you? I'll be downstairs in a minute.'