The couple woke the next morning to find their visitors gone and a note on the kitchen table. 'Hope we didn't disturb you when we left. We've stripped the bedding and put it in the washing machine. Thanks, love, Cassie and Ryan xxxx'
'It looks like we're on own again.' Abby's gown was gaping. Had she loosened it or did it just happen to fall that way? Glan wasn't sure. She put her arms around her husband and nuzzled his neck. 'It was good last night.' Her voice was muffled.
'Yes, yes it was.' There seemed to be a catch in Glan's throat.
Abby looked up, her face close to Glan's. 'I want to ask you a question, luv. All I want is an honest answer. I'm not going to criticise you or complain. I'd just like to know something.'
'OK,' Glan sounded doubtful.
'Last night, when we were, you know what I mean, when we were, well, were you thinking of Cassie?'
Glan eased his wife's arms from his waist and pushed her slightly away. 'What are you asking, Abby? How could you suggest such a thing? She's my daughter, our daughter.'
'I'm not suggesting anything, Glan. Just asking, that's all. After all, you were so different from the last time and, well, I was wondering what had changed and the only thing I could think of was that Cassie was next door.'
There was a long pause. Abby moved closer and took her husband's hands in hers.
'An honest answer, that's all, no comeback. I'm not complaining.' She smiled up at him.
'Well, the last time, that was different. That was just, well, let's not go over that again. But, well, we both heard what they were doing, there was no mistaking it, was there. And that had an effect on, I admit, and on you too for that matter.' He waited for his wife to agree, but she said nothing. Eventually, he had to fill the silence. 'And I would hear them as we were, you know, as we were …'
'Fucking,' Abby helped him out this time. 'Yes, we could hear them as we were FUCKING.' She emphasised the word.
'Like I said.' Another pause. 'Look, Abby, you want an honest answer, so alright, yes, she does remind me of you, how you were when we first met, the same body, if you know what I mean.'
'Yes, luv, I know what you mean.'
'Look, I'm sorry,' Glan began fumbling for the right words, but Abby put her finger on his lips.
'No, you don't need to be sorry, you've done nothing wrong. I just wanted to know that was all. You see,' she put her lips to her husband's ear and whispered.
He pushed her back. 'You're not serious? Really? You mean you were thinking of Ryan? But why?'