In case there were any last shreds of opposition, she melted into his arms again but then when she felt him harden against her again disengaged herself and pushed his large bulk towards the stairs.

"Come on big boy, its time for me to get home and for you to get on with organising our special weekend. I'll say I'm visiting my mother. She's not on the phone so David won't know where I am."

They returned to their table but it was now occupied by another couple so they called it a day and shared a taxi to the mainline station. In the taxi Peter placed his arm across her shoulders and at the station by the entrance to her platform he kissed her noisily to say goodbye.



The next day, in the park , Peter confirmed he had made the arrangements.

For Sarah it was a watershed. Events that she had deliberately set into action had now moved on and she was no longer in control. Time flew past. In a total state of doubt and misgiving, she became preoccupied with the consequences. For hours on end, she imagined different horror scenarios. On one occasion she very nearly phoned a radio talk line to ask if she was doing the right thing.

When the children left their bicycles in the flower bed in their back garden, she went berserk with rage, knowing as she did it that she had never complained about it before. At night, she slept on the other side of the bed to David and badly.

At last Friday lunchtime came and they met at the entrance to the park. Peter commented with surprise that Sarah's sports shoulder bag was hardly large enough to carry a change of clothes.

"I didn't think there would be much dressing up in the country", she replied edgily. They then walked to the National Car Park to collect his metallic BMW in a silence that neither of them could break.

As they cruised along the M3 towards the West Country, Sarah knew she had to make an effort at conversation but her mind was still in the London suburbs with her husband and children. Nervous perspiration trickled icily down her back. Her legs felt like water. Feeling she had to make some gesture to show she wanted to be there with him, she placed her hand high on his thigh and left it there. She hated herself for it but it was better than having to talk.

Eventually, the crowded motorway yielded to the gentle rolling hillsides of Somerset with its high earth banks, primroses and foxgloves.



The inn was in a deep valley with a rushing stream alongside. Knowing it was a delaying tactic, Sarah suggested that they walk to the top of the hill and look at the moors. Peter, wanted to please and afraid she may be in the process of changing her mind about the weekend, agreed.

But now he was beginning to fidget. He had other more interesting matters pressing on his mind than countryside.

He encircled an arm around her waist, turned her round and cupped her face in his hands. Her green/blue eyes looked defiantly back at him, moody and challenging. She was soft and desirable but even he could see an edge to her smile.

"Not long now?" he said, seeking reassurance.

"Not long, but you still have to wine me and dine me. Do you realise this will be our first proper date! Perhaps a first date is too soon - what will you think of me".

Peters voice now showed a trace of irritation.

"I think you are beautiful, desirable, very sexy and absolutely gorgeous enough to eat. You make my pulse race, my breathing difficult and if you continue shutting me out, I'll make like Tarzan and Jane and take you right here on the moor".

He reached down behind her and she gasped as he grasped the seat of her jeans. His touch was assertive, dominant and impatient. His mind was made up, it was very simple. She was young and attractive - a woman who wanted to be desired and was ready for him. There had been enough delay. He didn't see the shadow that crossed her eyes. Nor the high flush on her cheeks that belied her inviting smiles.

"It's nearly seven o'clock", she said, pulling away, dismissively. "Let's go and see whether the food in this 'humble inn' is as classy as the good eating guide claims".

Then biting her lower lip, she turned back and gazed up at him. Feelings were not an option she could enjoy just now. Consciously, she lowered her eyelashes and looped her wrists lightly around his neck working hard to make her body language right for the moment to portray feelings she didn't have.

"Then, we can have our early night and find out if the four poster bed is as comfortable as the landlord claims."

Her voice was projected low and inviting again. She smiled sweetly up at him and he felt himself drawn into the clear crystals of those mysterious eyes and secretive smile that had first attracted him. He held her closer so she could feel him wanting her.

And she pulled away from him again.

"Come on, let's go," Sarah said and led him down the brown earth path. It was cut deeply into the moor land peat, rough and uneven. His town shoes slipped and slid. They laughed now holding onto each other for support.

Tussocks of grass graduated into leafy shades as they plunged onwards into the wood that lay between the moor and the inn. They found the lane again and stood admiring the stream that leaped and sparkled over the pebbles. Sunlight tumbled in the water but again it was the dark shadows under the bridge that attracted Sarah's eye. Could the love she felt for her husband and children and her determination to succeed carry her through this Friday night. Could she avoid the nightmare of giving herself completely to this man and yet still achieve her purpose?