Page 27 of Wife After Wife

Maria had materialized in the bedroom doorway. She was staring at him intently from beneath her fringe. She looked like Damien inThe Omen.

“We weren’t shouting, sweetheart,” said Katie. “We were having a discussion. I’ll take you back to bed.”

By the time she returned, Harry had started to drift off to sleep.

“And in case it’s of any interest to you, Harry, I’m already pregnant.” Katie turned her back on him and flicked off the light.

•••

Harry and Merry were spending a glorious afternoon in the Kensington flat. After the Christmas sex drought, they hadn’t made it as far as the bedroom for their first frantic reunion, bumping up hard against the hall wall. But they’d taken their time over the second, relishing every sensuous moment.

“Aaah, that’s better,” Harry said as they lay back, catching their breath. “First bonk in bloody weeks.”

“So romantic, darling,” said Merry. “What’s up with wifey, then?”

“Pregnant. And with her history of problems, I guess we’re just overly careful.”

Merry went quiet. “Congratulations,” she said finally. “I have absolutely no maternal instinct, but one would like the option.”

“I can’t imagine being married to you and not even wanting to give it a try.” Harry ran an appreciative eye over her luscious nakedness.

“It’s just as well he didn’t,” said Merry. Then she bit her lip and turned away, pouring two glasses of wine from the bottle on the bedside table. She handed one to Harry.

“Not ever, not even out of curiosity? I bet you could raise his interest,” Harry said.

“Will doesn’t have a heterosexual cell in his body, you know that.”

They sipped their wine.

“What did you mean, when you said just as well you didn’t?”

Merry stared ahead. “He’s HIV positive.”

Harry’s spirits sank. The real world had finally intruded into his private fantasyland.

“He’s fine,” she said, “no symptoms or anything, but given his... well, he thought he should get tested.”

“And you’ve definitely never...”

“No, Harry.” She turned to look at him. “You’llbe fine. Unlike Will.”

“Poor you. What happens now?”

“We’ll keep it secret for as long as we can. I don’t know what the prognosis is.”

“If there’s anything I can do...”

“I doubt it. We’ll just carry on as normal for as long as we can, and... Harry, my time with you is so important to me now. I’m going to need this escape more than ever.”

“Right, of course.”

“Let’s not think about that now,” said Merry. “I have a favor to ask you, darling.”

“Does it involve more fun between the sheets before we head off once more unto the breach?”

“No, but I won’t rule that out, if you’re nice to me.”

Harry was glad her spirits had lifted again. He had quite enough female moodiness to contend with at home. Christmas, with Germaine, Katie, and Maria, had been a trial.