The Unmarried Husband

by Cathy Williams

  ‘So,’ he said, breaking the silence and cupping her face in his hands, ‘what do you say now about a week or two touring Italy? Do you think that your conscience might allow you the time off work?’

  ‘I think it might well,’ Jessica replied contentedly. This must be how the cat felt when it got its bowl of cream, lapped it all up, and knew that there was a great deal more whence it had come.

  ‘And what about those teenage appendages of ours? What do you think their reaction will be when we break the news to them?’

  ‘Oh, I think Lucy will be fine. She knows that I need a holiday.’

  ‘Actually, I wasn’t talking about the holiday.’ He kissed the tip of her nose and smiled. ‘I was more referring to the ring I intend to put on your finger just as soon as I can.’

  ‘Marriage is a big step ... perhaps we ought to test the water first...’

  ‘Perhaps not.’

  They looked at one another and Jessica laughed, and then sighed with pure contentment.

  ‘You can be so persuasive. Okay, then. Perhaps not...’