Same Time Next Week

Chapter 44

‘ And? ’

Amanda was waiting patiently for details because Mel couldn’t just leave that big revelation hanging in mid-air with nothing to follow it.

Mel dropped her head into her hands.

‘Oh, Amanda, what have I done? I’m as bad as Steve.’

‘I doubt it, but I will need to hear more just to make sure about that.’

Mel lifted her head to find Amanda grinning. For a brief moment there, she’d thought she might not have been joking.

‘This is why I didn’t say anything, because so much has happened this week. I met him… Postman Pat; we went for a drink last Wednesday, to talk. He said that his wife had done this sort of thing before. He was nice, actually. Then the day after, Steve came round to tell me that he had absolutely no control over what he was doing and could I please put myself in the freezer until he works it out.’

Amanda’s eyebrows nearly shot off the top of her head.

‘He said that?’

‘More or less.’

‘Did you tell him that he couldn’t have his cake and eat it?’

‘I told him to do one. And then I rang Pat and he came round.’

‘And this is when it happened?’ Amanda was on the edge of her seat.

‘No, he made me a cup of coffee and told me I should join a rock band. A friend of mine is setting one up: long story but we were going to do it as teenagers, but stuff happened… and it’s a now or never thing. Steve thought I was way too old, Pat, however, said I should go for it.’

Amanda wondered if she should admit that she quite liked the sound of this postman, but she didn’t have time because Mel launched into the next part of the story.

‘It was my birthday yesterday. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. Pat came round to tell me his wife had been in touch, and I asked him if he wanted to share a pizza. He was probably feeling sorry for me when he said yes, but we had a drink and a chat and the next thing we’re stumbling up the stairs and into bed. I could have stopped it, but I didn’t.’

Amanda put her hand over her mouth to stifle the giggle that was threatening to escape.

‘And… how was it?’

Mel also put her hand over her own mouth to stifle the giggle that was threatening to escape.

‘It was fantastic. I felt… injected with joy.’

‘And… how was his syringe?’

Mel hooted. ‘It hit spots I never knew I had. Do you know, Amanda, I’d got bored with sex, always the same formula, I did it out of habit and only ever on a Saturday night. But this…’ She blew a full mouthful of air out and fanned her face. ‘I’ve been like bloody Tigger all day. I shouldn’t be, should I, because I’ve been unfaithful. I’ve lost my moral high ground. But it wasn’t just the sex, it was how he made me feel. As if he really… enjoyed me.’ Yes, that was the word, she’d been searching for it when she’d been analysing it, replaying it.

It was clear to Amanda that Postman Pat had given Mel an intensive course in being valued; it was oozing out of her pores. People really did have an effect on each other that was like magic sometimes; a little water went a long way on a parched throat.

‘So where does that leave you?’ Amanda asked. ‘Is he coming round for a repeat performance anytime soon?’

Mel chuckled at the notion. ‘I doubt it. It was a one night only event, but that’s okay. I get the feeling his wife will be coming home with her tail between her legs soon enough’ — how could she give him up. He was kind, considerate, funny and flipping fabulous in bed — ‘and if she does, I should expect Steve to follow suit.’

The intonation in her voice was that of a firework on its way down after being spent.

‘And do you want him back?’

‘Honestly? I have no idea,’ said Mel.