He' s so good with his hands

Lindsay was seeing her friend' s husband behind her back, and wasn' t going to stop!

You' re seeing Mike behind my back!' Karen dangled a silver earring in front of Lindsay. What do you have to say for yourself?'

Lindsay felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

There was no denying it.

Without saying anything, she held out her hand for the earring.

Karen whisked it out of her reach.

Not until you' ve confessed,' she said. Right down to the last detail.'

Lindsay closed her eyes and wished herself a million miles away. She' d felt bad about seeing Mike. But it was her choice. And his.

Should she have said something to Karen?

After she' d seen him a few times, it felt too late to own up. It was her business anyway.

Besides, surely it was up to Mike to decide what to tell his wife?

And what not to tell her¼ It had started a fortnight ago. Lindsay had been having a Monday from hell. She' d overslept, scalded herself making coffee, and just as she' d run out the front door, she' d caught sight of the bus. Racing to catch it, she' d tripped, sprawling painfully on to the pavement.

No one had stopped to help her. She' d sat up gingerly, aching all over, rain splashing into her eyes, making her mascara run. Thankfully, nothing seemed to be broken, but she' d twisted her right ankle, and her knees and elbows were badly grazed. She' d limped into the nearby medical centre to get cleaned up. Wishing she' d simply stayed in bed that morning.

This' ll sting,' the nurse had said, applying something to her knees.

That was when she' d seen Mike.

What was he doing here today, she wondered, as the nurse moved her ankle in a circular motion, asking questions.

Then Mike had popped his head in.

Anything I can do to help?' he' d asked.

Before she knew it, she was telling him the whole story. He' d been sympathetic.

You can' t go to work like this,' he' d said. Let me run you home. My appointment' s over and I' ve got some spare time.'

It had seemed innocent enough. Then he' d suggested seeing her in a few days' time¼

That must have been when she' d lost the earring.

Was it time to own up now? Would she lose her friend?

Lindsay held Karen' s stare. I' d like my earring back. Where did you find it?'

It was under the couch in Mike' s office,' Karen said. I don' t suppose you' d care to explain how it got there?' Lindsay' s cheeks felt hot. Under the couch, she thought. It must have fallen off when she was

The memories flooded back. She' d seen Mike yesterday afternoon, quite late, so her absence wouldn' t be noticed at work.

When she' d phoned in the morning to arrange seeing him, he' d promised her a massage.

No wonder you' re having accidents,' he said. You need to learn how to relax.'

As she' d finished the call, the penny had dropped. Nobody gave you a massage when you were fully clothed, did they?

With her good lingerie in the wash, she' d worn old ones. She hadn' t thought it' d matter today. But if she was going to be seeing Mike and taking off her clothes

At lunchtime, she' d gone to a nearby department store, treating herself to black lacy underwear. Nothing too suggestive. She didn' t want to look as if she was throwing herself at him. But she had her pride.

And the massage had been heaven. She' d melted as she lay on the couch, envying Karen a husband with such wonderful hands.

That must' ve been when she' d lost the earring.

My head could have fallen off too and I wouldn't have noticed, she thought, remembering how good his hands had felt on her back.

She' d asked Mike if she could see him again next week. Maybe have another massage?

They' d agreed on a time.

She had no intention of cancelling.

What should she do? She' d known Mike for years. They' d been friends before he' d met Karen. He wouldn' t have broken the rules for just anyone¼

Give me the earring back and I' ll tell you the whole story,' she said.

But there' s one condition.'

What' s that?' Karen said, as she handed over the earring.

I' m going to keep seeing Mike.'

Karen pursed her lips. She didn' t look happy.

At least you' re being honest about it. Not going behind my back.'

You should' ve realised when you married a man like Mike, that sooner or later, you' d have to share him with your girlfriends.' Lindsay inspected her bandaged ankle. What did you expect when you married a physiotherapist?'

At lunchtime, she'd gone to a department store, treating herself to black lacy underwear