Promises broken

Richard stopped his car outside Janet’s house. He walked around the brand new BMW 750 to her side and opened her door. Janet got out, consciously keeping her knees together to avoid showing too much thigh, but she did take his hand.
“Thank you so much Richard, that was a lovely evening.”
“I’m glad you liked it, I enjoyed your company.”
Janet smiled, kissed him on the cheek. “Please call me soon.”

She went into to her kitchen. Each time she came here she felt so happy that she had used Franco Luciani, the fashionable Italian to design her kitchen. All her friends kept telling her how fabulous it was. She poured herself a glass of French champagne and reviewed her first night out with Richard.

He certainly was a bit of a catch. So good looking and at 35, five years older than her, the age was right. A highly successful lawyer, he clearly had money. The new BMW, the most expensive restaurant in town with the most expensive French wines, immaculate Italian suit, Rolex watch. She hadn’t been to his waterfront apartment but her friend Marcie had said must have cost millions.

Perhaps she should have done more than kiss his cheek? Of course not, she wasn’t ‘easy’ and she was sure Richard would respect her more. And, besides, he had to deserve her, he had to earn the right.

She went to her bedroom and through to her ensuite bathroom, also restyled by Franco.
“Not too bad, not too bad at all,” Janet thought as she studied her face in the mirror. Few people would think she was 30. Perhaps the slightest hint of smile lines at the corners of her mouth and eyes. A perfect complexion, straight thin nose and prominent cheekbones. Perfect teeth which had cost her parents a fortune 15 years before.

Janet was glad she had spent a couple of hours with Henri that afternoon. Her cascading blond shoulder length locks had been perfectly waved by Henri’s expensive talents. She poured another glass of Veuve Cliquot.
It was time to become involved with another man.
Two years before Janet had told her husband, Ted that he must go. There was no one-off important reason like infidelity, more the fact that Janet was bored. He, like Richard, was successful and busy and liked German cars.

Their sex life had never been exciting, Ted worked long hours and was often traveling internationally. At first she was lonely when he traveled, but latterly she found she preferred it when she didn’t have to make the effort to find something to talk about to him. Certainly they had the money and had overseas holidays most people could only dream about.

During the two years of separation Janet had worked hard on her medical career.

She took off her designer black dress, the her bra and knickers.
“Not too bad, not too bad at all,” she again whispered appreciatively to herself.
There was not an ounce of spare flesh on her body. Her 34C breasts were as firm as a teenager’s, her stomach was flat and her long legs lightly muscled and shapely. That personal trainer at her exclusive gym certainly knew his job. If only he would stop trying to chat her up. Someone in her position certainly wasn’t going to give herself to a toy-boy.

A MONTH LATER
Richard pursued Janet with an urgency. He took her sailing on his 40 foot keeler, took her to dinners where many of the city’s movers and shakers were present, they never drank anything except the most expensive French wines.
After two years without sex Janet enjoyed Richard’s touch. She did keep control of how fast he was allowed to move. On the third night she let him kiss her properly, on the fifth to caress her beasts through her blouse and bra. After a month she undid her blouse and loved the feeling as he kissed and licked her nipples. But when he put his hand on her thigh she put hers on top. “Soon darling soon.”
And Richard was such a gentleman that he never tried to push her boundaries. .

ANOTHER MONTH LATER
One Thursday evening Richard turned up at her house with two first-class airline tickets.
“Start packing Janet, tomorrow we are going to Sydney for a couple of days. I have front row tickets for Parvarotti and a penthouse suite at the Hilton.”
Parvarotti and a penthouse suite and first class tickets! What could be more romantic? Wouldn’t her friends be jealous.

After the Parvarotti concert and in the splendid luxury of their suite Janet willingly let Richard make love to her. His touch was exciting, he was a considerate and gentle lover who adored her beauty. Janet didn’t orgasm, but she never had during sex, and he didn’t force her to kiss his cock, thank goodness.
After their love making Richard had to make some important business calls and Janet lay on the bed thinking how perfect everything was, how her friends would envy her with this handsome, wealthy and charming hunk. How those friends would appreciate that their ‘first’ was in the penthouse suite at the Hilton.

Their romance flourished. Both were busy professionals but they usually made love twice a week on Wednesday evenings and Saturday evenings after they had eaten at exclusive restaurants. They seemed a perfect match. In the early stages Richard did try oral sex on Janet, but fortunately he wasn’t really interested. But she sometimes orgasmed when he explored her clitoris with his fingers.

THREE MONTHS LATER
Richard proposed marriage on his knees on the balcony of his waterfront apartment. The engagement ring was enormous and her gave her a BMW sports car as a present. Their engagement party was one of the social events in town with dozens of the ‘beautiful’ people present. Janet was proud that the local newspaper devoted a full page of its society supplement to photos of their party. They agreed that they would get married in a year and have their honeymoon climbing Mt Everest. Like Janet, Richard was a fitness freak.

TWO MONTHS LATER
Initially Janet hadn’t been keen when Richard had suggested that they go on the five day trek in the mountains of their homeland.
“Darling, couldn’t we go somewhere overseas?”
“Janet, we only have six days holidays and if we went overseas we would only have 3 – 4 days trekking. This will be a good part of our build-up for Everest.
“And Vogue Magazine rated this one of the top ten treks in the world.”
“Vogue Magazine said that?”
“Yes, here’s the article.”
Relieved that the choice of holiday was endorsed by Vogue, Janet readily agreed and both spent the next month building their fitness.

ONE MONTH LATER
The start of the trek was inauspicious. It was raining heavily and Janet wasn’t overly impressed by the other members of their group. There was George who looked about 45. He had a strange red goatee beard which was about a foot long giving him a sinister appearance. This wasn’t helped by the tattoos Janet could set on the exposed part of his chest and forearms.
Another couple about the same age as Janet and Richard, David and Deborah, but when Janet spoke to them she thought their accents were a bit ‘ordinary’ and their trekking gear wasn’t top of the range and brand new like theirs. They seemed, well, just a bit mousy.
And a Swiss girl, Erica, maybe 20 years old, dazzlingly beautiful and who already irritated Janet by being so happy and laughing so much.

Her impressions of their guide, Joe, weren’t favorable. He was a couple of years older than Richard and seemed far too laid back and casual. His clothes and trekking gear looked as though they would have been fashionable 20 years ago.
“You must be Richard and Janet,” he grunted, checking his list when they met at the hotel the night before. “And you’re staying in the luxury accommodation.” Each of the huts on the trek had a bunk room and a ‘luxury’ separate bedroom big enough for two.
“Well, don’t expect too much luxury, but it’ll be OK after I kick out the possums which normally sleep there.”
Richard started to protest, but Janet tapped him on the arm.

“I thought a top class cook was supposed to be coming with us,” said Richard.
“You’re looking at him,” grinned Joe. “We should have some great tucker, I picked up some road kill on the way here.”
As with all the other members he checked their gear. He nodded approvingly at the quality. Richard had been meticulous in his preparations.
“We ordered it from Switzerland over the Internet,” said Janet. “It’s the best money can buy.”
“It certainly is top gear,” nodded Joe.

“OK folks,” Joe spoke to the group in the morning as they gathered at the start of the track.
“Now the first day is going to be a bit of a bummer. We’ve got five hours hard slog, just about all up-hill, through the bush. This rain is only going to get heavier, so the only views you are going to get are of the backside of the person in front of you. We’re all going to get very wet, very muddy and very tired.
“But the wise Maori tell me the weather will be perfect for the other four days.”
“Was it a tribal elder who has centuries of folklore to guide him about the weather?” asked Erica.
“No, it was the TV weather-forecaster last night.”

“You’ll take turns in front. I’ll be at the back. Two reasons. People will want their money back if they have to look at my backside all day and second, I don’t want to lose any stragglers.
“The last time I lost a straggler it took us three weeks to find him.” He looked Janet steadily in the eye.
“He had kept alive by eating ferns and possum droppings.”

“We’ll take turns on who leads the way. Richard and Janet, you look in great shape so you can start. Just follow the path and look out for the orange markers.”
Janet felt proud that they had been chosen and was determined to set a cracking pace to show the others.
But Joe seemed to read her mind. “We’ve got five days tough work ahead and I’m not as young as I used to be. So can we please remember the old mountain man’s motto.”
“What’s that?” asked Richard.
“Take it easy for the first couple of hours, then start to slacken off.”

Janet and Richard led the way in the pouring rain. After half an hour they stopped at a river bank. The river waters rushed fast in front of them, obviously higher because of the rain.
There was a thick rope tied to trees on either side for them to hold on to.
“OK no problems. Make sure you keep holding the rope.” He escorted each across in turn.

Last was Janet.
“I won’t need you,” she said, staring at Joe icily.
“I’m sorry Janet. It would be on my conscience for at least a day if I let someone as beautiful as you become an eel’s meal.”
Janet snorted and set off. Even though the river was only a little above knee deep she was surprised at the strength of the icy water and held tightly to the rope as she edged across. The boulders on the river bed were slippery.

Half way across her boot slipped on a boulder and she lost balance. It was only her tight grip on the rope which stopped her from being swept downstream. Holding the rope, with both feet caught in the current she had a moment of panic. Then she felt Joe’s arm around her waist to steady her and she quickly regained her foothold.
Without a word she made her way to the far side. She had a memory of the feeling of relief at Joe’s grip, of the strength and yet gentleness of his grasp.

They now started climbing. The rain was making the track muddy and slippery and slowing their progress.
Every time the group reached the top of a hill, there was another rising even more steeply in the mist. Janet found the conditions oppressive and had to drive herself on. Sweat mingled with rain on her face and chest.

After two hours Joe called a halt and lead them to a large overhanging rock. Sheltered from the rain. they were able to sit on dry stones and logs. Joe dug into his enormous back-pack and produced a gas burner and seven mugs.
“Time for some road kill,” he winked at Erica and delving into his pack again. This time he produced crisp bread rolls filled with chicken or prawn salad. Food have never tasted so good for Janet.
Fresh fruit and chocolate bars. Janet refused the latter. She had her figure to look after.
“It’s three more hours, you’ll need the energy,” said Joe. Janet refused to eat, but when Joe wasn’t watching put two bars in her pocket.


“We will be clear of the forest in an hour. Let’s hope the wind eases or it will be colder than a lawyer’s heart up on the tops,” said Joe.
“Do you mind? Richard is a lawyer,” exclaimed Janet.
“Present company excepted of course,” said Joe.

They came to a small clearing and momentarily there was a break in the mist. They could see the river valley far below where they had walked so many hours ago. And above they could see the start of mountains, above the bush line, covered in snow tussock.
“You guys have done brilliantly,” said Joe to everyone as he made more tea. “These are the toughest conditions I have been up in for quite a while. Only one more hour”
Janet felt a surge of pride then wondered what she must look like. Everyone else’s faces were mud splattered, her hair was wet through, she knew it must be a tangled mess. She sat down in the rain wondering if she would have the energy to get up again.

Dusk was starting to fall when they reached the log cabin. Joe went inside and lit the kerosene lamps. Janet shuddered at what she saw. There was a basic room with a small gas stove at one end and a few chairs which looked as though they were rejects from a charity collection and an open fireplace.
A door way led to the bunk room where most people would sleep. Joe opened a door to the ‘luxury’ bedroom. There was one narrow, double bed, a small wooden table and two dilapidated arm chairs.

“God Richard, where’s our penthouse suite at the Hilton?” asked Janet. However, there were their change of clothes which had been brought up by helicopter the previous day together with other provisions and the bed was freshly made. Despite being run down, everything was immaculately clean.

Joe had vanished outside but soon returned.
“OK guys, welcome to the Mount Gloomy Hilton. Make yourselves at home because, if the weather doesn’t improve, we’ll be here for a couple of days. I’ve set up the gas for the showers. There’s one for the ladies, one for the gents.” He gestured towards two flimsy doors.
”Time limit is five minutes because we haven’t got that much gas. If you stay longer I’ll come in and drag you out.”
“Really?” said Erica with a big smile.
“Tramp!” thought Janet.
They drew lots for turns in the shower. Janet was first which pleased her. She didn’t want to go into a shower which had just been used by someone else.

She organized herself in advance. The shower was hot, but the water pressure low. However, it was lovely to feel the hot water on her tired, aching limbs, to get rid of the mud and grime, to wash her hair and get rid of the tangles.
“I’m coming in half a minute,” she heard Joe call.
“I bet you’d like to, you pervert,” Janet thought, and hurriedly rinsed her hair.
When she came out she felt refreshed and clean in her new clothes. Joe had lit a fire and the room suddenly seemed quite cheery.

The red bearded George had been the first man, his foot long goatee gleaming after its wash. He had chosen to wear a black singlet and Janet was horrified to see tattoos covering all his exposed flesh.
“Hope you cleaned the shower, George,” said Joe.
“No sweat,” said George. But Janet hurried back to clean hers. It had never occurred to her that she would have to clean the shower.
She was aware of Joe’s gaze, but thankfully he said nothing.

By the time everyone had showered the atmosphere had become cheerful With the fire blazing and the rain pounding down outside, their hut seemed snug.The wine helped the conversation to flow. Joe had lit the fire in the ‘luxury’ room and Richard and Janet went in there while Joe prepared the dinner. The helicopter had dropped off the food and a good supply of beer and Australian wine.

Janet sipped. “God this wine is terrible. Why couldn’t they have brought up some decent French wine.”
“I know,” said Richard. “I’m sorry darling, perhaps this trek wasn’t such a great idea.”
“It’s not your fault, but everyone here seems so, so basic. Well at least David and Deborah have a Mercedes.”
“Yes, but he made his money as a Funeral Director. And this guide Joe. He’s just a bit casual and doesn’t seem to respect us. Doesn’t he realize that we are the top payers?”
“And this luxury room. What a dump. I’ve never slept in a room like this before in my life.”
They were interrupted in their misery by the sounds of loud laughter in the other room.

“The helicopter will be coming here tomorrow to take our gear to the next hut. We could hitch a ride and get out,” said Richard.
“Would you mind, darling. I just don’t feel all that comfortable in this sort of company.”
“If you feel like this tomorrow, sure, we’ll get out.”
Again a roar of laughter from the other room.
“I suppose that’s one of Joe’s jokes,” muttered Richard.

“Tucker’s ready you guys,” yelled Joe from the other room. Reluctantly Richard and Janet left their privacy to join the others.
“Time to eat his road kill,” whispered Richard.

However, even Janet had to admit the meal was magnificent. Spaghetti with chicken and bacon, char grilled vegetables cooked to perfection and fresh salad. Janet was amazed that he had produced such food so quickly and recognized that she couldn’t have done so herself.
She couldn’t bring herself to complement Joe, but surprised herself by eating two enormous servings, so hungry was she after the hard day’s hiking. She started to relax. She looked back on the day’s climb. It hadn’t been enjoyable, but she felt a real sense of accomplishment. She even felt more relaxed with this odd group of people she had climbed with.

“Joe, could you arrange for some decent French wine for the next nights. We were told this was a luxury trek.” said Richard.
“Don’t you like this?” asked the tattooed George.
“Well, it’s not French.”

The conversation flowed. Janet noticed that Joe didn’t say much himself, but asked questions about the others to get them talking. He seemed so interested in people. Whereas Janet really wasn’t in the slightest bit interested in people unless they met certain social criteria.
She did notice that that tramp Erica was dressed in tight a fitting jersey and leggings which showed every contour of her body below her waist. She also saw that she was gazing at Joe a lot but he seemed not to notice.

However, even Janet took an interest when George explained how he used to be a member of the notorious Road Knights gang. That would explain those tattoos and that revolting beard. He had ‘done time’ in prison for offenses he chose not to talk about. He had realized, after spending 16 of the 20 years from age 15 in prison, that this wasn’t a smart way of life. So he had studied wine when he did his last stretch inside. Now he owned a wine shop and was happily married.
“Ah Rita,” she is just perfect,” he had a wistful gaze. Looking at Deborah, “Her tattoos are so beautiful.”

Deborah and David surprised Janet. They had many fascinating stories about their funeral business; some tragic, some hilarious and David was a great storyteller.

Erica, it turned out, had known Joe for six years. Her family had a similar trekking business to his in Switzerland and they had met when Joe had trekked with them. Each year they came to Joe or Joe to them. But this year her father wasn’t so well so Erica came alone.

Perhaps it was the wine, perhaps it was Joe’s gentle questioning, but Janet found she talked easily about herself. She started off talking about the important conferences she had spoken to, her expensive house and car and holidays. But under Joe’s questions she started to talk more about her feelings, what it was like to deliver a baby. She talked about the time a baby survived when she thought it was hopeless, and how wonderful she had felt.

Richard gently stroked her hand and changed the topic. In a way Janet was glad, she felt a bit silly talking about her inner feelings, but in a way she was annoyed as this was the first time for a very long time she had thought about such things, let alone talked about them.

It was Richard’s turn to be gently questioned. He welcomed the chance and spoke about the important people he knew, his new Beamer and keeler. Janet felt slightly strange. Richard was right to feel good about his successes, but she wondered who in this audience could give a stuff whether he had a BMW 750 or 735, whether his keeler was 35 feet or 40 feet, or for that matter, whether he had a keeler at all.

Erica started to yawn and Joe suggested that as they had a big day tomorrow he was going to bed. He started to clear the dinner dishes but George and David insisted that he take a break and they would do them. Without thinking, Janet got up and helped.

Richard was already in bed when she finished.
“Darling, I don’t think you need to do the dishes. We paid a lot of money for this trek.
“And I don’t think you should talk so personally about yourself to strangers.”
Janet said nothing but when Richard put his hand on her breast, she removed it.
“Not tonight darling. I’m tired.”

The new day was bright and clear, the wind had dropped completely. Richard and Janet went outside. Below were the forest covered hills they had climbed yesterday. They could see .the river valley far below and further out, the ocean. With their binoculars they could see the white surf crashing into the rocky shoreline.
Above them a ridge stretched skywards, about 1000 feet above was the snow-line. Far in the distance were the mighty peaks of the main divide which they would cross on their trek.
The others joined them and Janet loaned Erica the binoculars for her to look.
“Oh, look Richard, is that your BMW in the hotel carpark?”
Richard took the binoculars and studied. Janet saw his smile of satisfaction and wondered why he spent more time looking at his car than the natural beauty around him.

Joe produced a breakfast of fruit salad and omlettes.
“Joe, you should teach the chef at the Hilton how to make omlettes,” said Janet helping herself to another.
“Careful, darling, you’ll put on weight,” said Richard.
Janet stared down at her plate saying nothing. This trekking burned more than 4000 calories a day. There was no way she would be putting on weight. And she didn’t need him to tell her in public what to eat.
Janet finished the omlette and helped do the dishes and clean the cabin while Richard read a book.

Joe gave them an introduction to safety on the snow. He then clipped them onto the safety rope.
“The last trekker who went down the side of the mountain slid down 2,000 feet. It took us a week to get him out. He had to survive on snow and mountain goat droppings.”
“Why did he look her straight in the eye when he told these ridiculous stories,” wondered Janet.

What had been rain on the lower hills the previous day had been snow at this altitude and Joe warned that it would be another exhausting day. The helicopter arrived to transport their spare gear to the next hut.
“Do you want to get on it Janet?” asked Richard. “We could be down in a couple of hours.”
Janet didn’t reply but continued her conversation with George about his time in prison.

Joe led the way. Once they were in the snow he cleared a path of sorts with his ice ax. Janet, who prided herself on her fitness was finding the going tough and marveled at Joe’s endurance. Two hours later they reached their first peak only to see yet another peak ascending even higher.
All around were mountains covered in snow although down one side Janet could see a valley below the snow-line with a small mountain lake.

“I’m getting stuffed,” said Joe. “Who wants to be next on clearing the path?”
Richard started to say something about hired help but Deborah stepped forward and took the ice ax.
It was easier going now and Janet was able to take in the view and became more exhilarated as the day continued.
When they stopped for tea some mountain parrots joined them Almost completely fearless they rummaged around looking for food. Janet had taken off her sunglasses and only just managed to retrieve them before an inquisitive parrot took off with them.

Joe pointed across the valley and Janet looked through her binoculars. There were about 20 chamois, elegant mountain goats, browsing on the snow tussock. She passed the binoculars to Richard, but he wasn’t interested.

For the next stretch Erica took over the path clearing duties. Once she slipped and Janet noticed Jim’s hands on her bottom to steady her. She felt disapproval rising within her. Then she wondered why she was concerned what happened between Joe and Erica.
Janet remembered the comfort of Joe’s strong grip when she had slipped in the river the previous day.

During the day everyone except Richard had a turn in front. He muttered to Janet that it wasn’t his job to be a tour guide and he would be making an official complaint. Janet stared at him. “Why couldn’t he just unwind a bit?” she thought.
Janet had her turn. Joe was right behind. Once when she was trying to climb up a steep part of the track she felt his hands firmly pushing on her buttocks.
“If you fall back on us we’ll all be living on snow and mountain goat droppings,” Joe muttered.

They reached the next peak and had another of Joe’s delicious lunches.. Joe pointed into the valley far below where they could see a cabin beside a small lake.
“Good news and bad news folks. It’s downhill for the rest of today. Tomorrow we must climb back up.”

It was downhill most of the way, but the last half hour was going up a steep path. They were well below the snow again. It was mid afternoon under the beating sun, they were all sweating profusely by the time they reached the cabin. It was identical to that of the previous night, but the view was different. In front was a small lake and behind that the mighty peaks of of the main divide soared. Some blue mountain ducks splashed across the lake before they took off into the sky.

“Showers are the same as last night,” said Joe.” But there is another shower here which we can use.”
They asked what it was but he refused to tell but, intrigued, they picked up towels and shampoo and joined him as he took them on a small path around a rocky outcrop. There was a waterfall about 20 feet high falling into a shallow pool before the water went in a stream to the lake.

“Close your eyes if you like ladies,” laughed Joe. He stripped naked and ran 20 yards to the waterfall.
Janet saw his naked back and buttocks. He was lean, but had well defined muscles. He stood under the waterfall with some shampoo and washed his hair and body. The six trekkers watched not knowing what to do. Janet thought she would wait till he had finished.

It was mousy Deborah who surprised her, taking off her clothes and rushing to the tumbling water. Deborah squealed at the cold but Joe passed her the shampoo. David joined his wife, then George. Janet saw that his whole body was covered with tattoos.
Erica looked at Janet. “Dare you!” They both took off their clothes and hand in hand rushed to the laughing group. Janet felt a little awkward at first. There were three men she hardly knew, naked, with penises bouncing.

She kept her back to the group while she washed but then noticed she was the only one being modest. She turned around and found she was standing right in front of Joe. Her first reaction was to cover her breasts and pubic hair with her hands but somehow Janet resisted the urge and looked him steadily in the eye.

But Joe didn’t leer at her body. He was laughing as Deborah was washing his back. David was washing Erica’s.
“Could you do my back please Janet,” asked George.
She started to wash his tattooed back.
“Is there a single part of you that isn’t tattooed?” she asked.
“One part, but I’m too much of a gentleman to show,” laughed George.
“This is a strange tattoo,” said Janet, touching George’s back.
“That’s not a tattoo. That’s where my Rita stabbed me with the bread-knife. Hell’s teeth, I love that feisty woman.”
Janet decided there was a world which was far from her experience.

They continued washing and laughing until the cold drove them out. All six sat on a grassy mound as the sun warmed them. Their bodies tingled delightfully from the blood rushing to their cold skin. No-one took any notice of their own nudity or anyone else’s. Janet leaned back her face and body to the sun. Her breasts were fully exposed and she supposed that if anyone cared to look they could see her pubic hair. But nobody cared to.

“Where’s Richard?” asked Erica.
“Oh God, he didn’t come in with us” thought Janet. “He’s gone back to the cabin by himself.”
Quickly she dressed. Richard had showered in the cabin.
“Enjoy your shower Janet?”
“It was just lovely.”
“Good. I imagine those men enjoyed your shower as well.”
Richard picked up his book and went outside to read. Janet could tell he was seething with anger.

Janet changed her clothes then went outside and sat beside him. She stroked his hand, but felt him immediately withdraw it.
“What’s the matter Richard.”
“I saw him push your bum.”
“But I was slipping back. He pushed George’s bum too.”
“I never thought you would flaunt yourself in front of other men.”
“Richard, you are being silly darling. It was just fun and it was innocent. I wished you had come in, it was so lovely.”
“Janet, I think you had better understand something. We’ve got to maintain standards. It won’t help my career if it gets around that you are flaunting yourself in front of an ex-con.”

Janet reflected. Richard was telling her what to say, telling what she couldn’t eat, telling her to stop enjoying herself on the best adventure she had ever had in her life. She eyed him coldly as he read his book.
“I’m going to join the others.”
“See if you can keep your clothes on this time.”
Richard didn’t lift his face from his book.
Janet stood still, almost in shock at his rudeness, thought about a reply but stalked out of the room.

Joe, Deborah and Erica were deep in conversation. Janet noticed Joe was holding Erica’s hand.
“Tramp,” she thought. Then Janet wondered why she was judgmental. It was no concern of hers what Joe and Erica did. Then she felt guilty; Erica was a long time friend of Joe’s and her father was ill.
George and David were discussing wine. How incongruous it was to see this tattooed giant talking wine.
“Hey Janet,” called David. “The helicopter has dropped us some French red. Do you want to try it?”

Janet drank some and recognized that it was not nearly as good as the Australian she had drunk the night before. But she didn’t say so. She decided to make an effort and took some wine to Richard.
“Would you like some wine Richard. It’s French.”
“Just leave the bottle here will you.”

She chatted to Erica. It turned out that her father was progressing well but still needed time to recover. No wonder Joe was holding her hand. It was a serious illness. Janet could imagine Erica’s concern, perhaps that was the reason Joe had been holding her hand

“You and Joe seem very friendly.”
“I’ve known him for so long. We all think of ourselves almost as one family. Sometimes I call him my Godfather.”
Erica looked at Janet with a smile. “And no, we don’t bonk. I suppose because we hold hands a bit and hug a bit lot’s of people think we do. I think of him as something between and elder brother and an uncle.”
The two then played chess, but Janet’s mind was distracted by Richard and she lost quickly.

Another of Joe’s magnificent meals appeared as if by magic. This time baked salmon. Richard came in for the food but sat in silence. Janet noticed he drank three glasses of wine in the short time it took him to eat. He ignored Deborah’s and George’s attempt at conversation with him.

He stood up, unsteadily Janet noticed, picked up another bottle of wine and headed for their bedroom.
“Richard, please don’t drink anymore,” said Janet.