Choosing Her Lover

*****

And I think, that is that….

Until, at six pm, just as I am about finish for the day, Ben marches in again. “Come on,” he says. “I want you to come with me.”

“Come with you? Where?”

“Up to Mike’s place.”

“What? You want me to go there? What for? I barely know them.”

“Mike’s not at home. He’s working late. I want to catch James and Charlotte in the act, and I want a witness, so the bastard, and the bitch can’t deny it when I confront them.”

“Ben, you can’t do this. And haven’t you forgotten something? James Alexanders is my boss. I could lose my job…”

He stands, arms akimbo. “Fuck you, then. I’m going anyway. If you won’t come with me, I’ll go by myself. I’ll take a camera.”

Jeez…. I’d better go with him. See if I can stop him doing anything too stupid….

“Alright. I’ll come with you. Let me get my stuff and clear up my desk.”

I’ll fetch the car and pick you up

buttons on the internal phone, trying to get an answer. First James.… No reply…. Then Charlotte…. No reply…. Francis maybe? Still

dry, I give it another go: “Ben, this

snorts. “What are you talking about? We’re discussing a man fucking

think you

okay for my her to make a fool

the City and up the mountain. The views are amazing, but I can’t

and Beauty’. It’s rather beautiful and very

says Ben. “But I don’t

the rear and through gardens which are a mixture of well-kept and maintained, and hopelessly overgrown.

and restored. Standing over high meadows overlooking a lake, the position is incredible. In any

pointing, “the

you can’t.” I try to hang back, but he ignores me, walking quietly to the

Oh, please be locked….

which turns, and

to me on the threshold. “Are you

shake my head.

at me. “I know where you stand, don’t I?” and