Kevin had melon and left the maraschino cherries, followed by steak, well done, with runner beans and a green salad. Janey noticed he left the spring onions. She felt a great weariness, probably because she hadn’t had enough to drink. She was fed up with talking about product attributes and growth potential. Then suddenly when she thought the evening was beyond redemption, he ordered another bottle of Sancerre, and some of his cronies came over, plainly impressed by Janey.

“I’m taking care of her while Billy’s abroad,” said Kev, and winked.

Suddenly Janey was enjoying herself. There was nothing like the high that went with the possible beginning to an affair. Kev kept looking at her, holding her eyes a second longer than necessary, as if he was caressing her. He was so tough, and positive, and knew exactly where he was going.

“D’you want to go somewhere and dance?” he said, as he signed the bill.

She shook her head, ashamed of the hopeless desire that was sweeping over her. As they left the restaurant, she swayed and he caught her arm.

“Sorry, Kev. Don’t ask a girl to drink and diet.”

It had been a clear hot day, followed by a dewy short night. They’d been haymaking. The fields had that mingled honey scent of mown grass and drying manure. As they drove home she said, “You’ll be the first man since Billy.”

“So I should hope.”

“It’ll be like losing one’s virginity all over again.”

Kevin put a perfectly manicured hand on her thigh. The diamond in the center of the thick gold ring on his third finger glittered in the moonlight.

“I’ve wanted you since the first night we met, but you’ve always been so bloody superior.”

“Not a lady like Helen?”

“You’re a snob. She’d never have sneered and put me down the way you have.”

“I’m sorry. I suppose I hated Billy being dependent on someone else.”

He removed one of the two bracelets on her right wrist and threw it on her lap. “And don’t jangle.”

“You jangle enough,” she said.

When they got back to the cottage, Mavis followed her around like a disapproving duenna. Kevin went to have a pee. Janey went into the kitchen. It was so hot, she opened the fridge and, getting a piece of ice out of the tray, ran it over her tits to make the nipples stand up. Then she poured herself a huge drink to steady her nerves. The next minute Kev walked in and took it from her and poured it down the sink. “You don’t need that sort of booster anymore,” he said.

I hate him, she said to herself. He’s everything that darling Billy isn’t.

Mavis, who’d done sterling service as a hot water bottle all winter, was outraged when Kevin tried to shut her out of the bedroom.

“She always comes in,” protested Janey.

“Not anymore, she doesn’t,” said Kevin, booting her with his foot.

“You would get on well with Helen,” sighed Janey.

“I don’t approve of pets in bedrooms. Ouch!” howled Kev as Mavis bit him sharply on the ankle.

It took all Janey’s self-control not to giggle. There was no plaster in the house, but finally Kev, stripped off except for one of Billy’s handkerchiefs tightly bound round his ankle, climbed into bed.

“I hope your alarm clock works,” he said. “I’ve got a meeting in Bristol at nine-thirty.”

Janey looked at him through half-closed eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want to send me back because I’m not at room temperature?”

She put her hand on his cock, which was inching upwards, and was about to add that in terms of growth potential he was not bad himself, but she didn’t think he’d be amused. He made no comment about her shaved bush until afterwards.

“You do that?”

“No, Billy does.”

“Relationship still very much alive, then?”

“Yes,” said Janey.

It was very nice to be made love to by someone so scented and powdered and tasting of Gold Spot (which Janey was less keen on), but all the perfumes of Arabia couldn’t conceal the feral whiff of the jungle killer. Beneath his trappings, Kev was a wide boy, a thug as ruthless as Rupert.

She was ashamed of betraying Billy by sleeping with Kev in their bed. On the other hand, it was bliss not to have to get up and go home dribbling afterwards. Kev had only brought a slimline briefcase with him. Inside was a clean shirt, a toothbrush and toothpaste in a case, and a disposable razor. He’s everything that Billy’s not, thought Janey once again. Perhaps that’s why I fancy him and that’s what I really need.

Billy rang up next day. Things weren’t thrilling. He was missing her. He’d be back on Sunday.

“Did Kev ring you? Good. Mandryka got a third yesterday, but The Bull’s a bit stale. I’m going to rest him next week before the World Championship. How’s the book going?”

“Fine,” said Janey, who hadn’t touched it. She felt guilty but safer. Kev wouldn’t let her starve.

“By the way, where were you last night?” asked Billy.

Janey’s mind galloped. “I had dinner with Helen.”

“That’s nice.”

Putting down the telephone, she rang Helen and suggested they had supper at the local bistro. Before she went out she was fortified by a telephone call from Kev. She’d been waiting all day, wondering if he’d ring. She found she couldn’t eat anything, so pushed her food around her plate.

“You’re not pregnant, are you?” asked Helen.

“No, no. I was so disgustingly fat, I took the opportunity of Billy’s being away to go on a diet. Now my stomach seems to have shrunk, thank God.”

“Don’t talk to me about reducing,” sighed Helen. “Rupert’s given up liquor until after the World Championship. He’s lost ten pounds and he looks great but, golly, it makes him mean.”

For once, Helen unbent a bit. Rupert had bought her a gym tunic and wanted her to dress up as a schoolgirl.

“But I can’t. I’ve got knobbly knees and I’m terrified he’s going to start fancying the real thing.”

Janey, remembering Billy’s tales about Tiffany Bathgate, rather thought Rupert already had.

“I wish Billy’d occasionally look at another woman,” she said idly. “It’d be such fun getting him back.”

Janey was doing no work on her book but the house looked absolutely marvelous. Although women deny it, they very seldom have a new man in their lives without idly thinking what he’d be like to marry. Janey Coley sounded perfectly dreadful; it really wouldn’t do.

On Saturday morning, Janey steamed open their bank statement, was appalled at what she saw, hastily stuck it up again, and went out and bought a pair of white dungarees, a white canvas skirt, and two striped T-shirts. The weather was so lovely, she lay in the sun. She could always tell Billy she’d been typing in the garden.

Kev came and screwed her on Saturday afternoon. Both of them were sober and the pleasure was even more intense. Janey’d lost eight pounds and was beginning to feel beautiful again. Afterwards they lay in each other’s arms.

“Did Billy ring you?” asked Kevin.

“Yes, not much joy. Sometimes I wish he wasn’t such a good loser.”

“He’s a loser,” said Kevin brutally. “Let’s make no bones about it.”

“How are we all going to cope at Les Rivaux? Billy’s so sweet, he won’t suspect anything, but I’m not so sure about Enid.”

Suddenly she was startled out of her wits by the doorbell. It was a member of the Tory Party, canvassing for a by-election.

“I’m just changing to go out,” Janey called out of the window, “but you can rely on my vote.”

“Got to get that bloody man Callaghan out somehow,” said Kevin.

Next time the bell went Kev had to unplug himself. Janey staggered to the window. This time it was the Labor Party.

“No, you don’t need to convince me; you can rely on my vote,” she said.

“That’s done it,” said Kev, getting up. “I’ve got to go anyway.” Janey was appalled at how miserable she felt. They had a bath together.

“Too small, really,” said Kev as he dried himself. “You ought to come in my Jacuzzi at Sunningdale. You will, one day.”

Feeling happier, Janey put on her new white overalls, which just covered her boobs, and nothing else. Her newly washed hair divided over her brown shoulders. As she made the bed, she instinctively removed hairs, looking for Kevidence, she told herself with a giggle. She persuaded him to have a drink before he went. They were in the drawing room when they heard a step outside. Janey went to the window. “Expect it’s the Liberal Party. Oh my God, it’s Billy.”

“It’s all right,” said Kev calmly. “Billy told me you were depressed and to drop in to cheer you up. I just happened to be in the area.”

Janey patted her hair frantically in the mirror.

“Do I look as though I’ve just got out of bed?” she asked.

Kev laughed. “You always do anyway.”

Billy was absolutely thrilled to see them both. He’d always been worried that they got on so badly and this would certainly make things easier. He looked awful: thoroughly tired out, his hair a tangled mess, eyes bloodshot. He smelt of curry and drink. He needs some Gold Spot, thought Janey.

“How did the last days go?” asked Kevin.

“Bloody awful. The competition’s so hot because everyone’s over for the World Championship. You’re lucky if you get in the money at all. Here’s some Arpège for you, sweetheart.” He also put down a bottle of duty-free whisky.

“Your wife’s been on a diet,” said Kev. “Doesn’t she look great?”

“Sensational,” said Billy. “So does the house.” He looked around. “Really lovely. You must have worked hard. I’m filthy. I must go and have a bath and change.”

“Have a drink first,” said Janey, sloshing three fingers of whisky into a glass. She was nervous Kev might have left some of his jewelry in the bedroom. Billy accepted it gratefully; anything to postpone the opening of the brown envelopes and his bank statement. They discussed the World Championships — he would either jump Mandryka or The Bull.