Rubbing It In

It was Mike’s turn for a little karma…

Can you make me a cuppa before you go out?’ Jayne asked her husband Mike. ‘Only my back’s still playing up.’ She winced as she moved slightly in the chair to try to make herself more comfortable.

‘Can’t right now, I’m running late.’ Mike hurled his footie boots into his bag and made a dash for the door. ‘See you later. Bye.’

Jayne gripped the arms of the chair as she rose awkwardly. She had an appointment to see the chiropractor the next day and just hoped he’d be able to sort it. It had been two days now since she’d pulled something. Silly really. She’d just cleaned the kitchen floor, and was lugging the vacuum upstairs, when she’d felt this sudden excruciating pain in her lower back.

What had really angered her though was that she’d asked Mike to take the vacuum upstairs and do the hoovering before he left for work, but he’d forgotten. Or so he’d said when she’d moaned at him later.

Mike hadn’t even been apologetic. ‘It’s only a bad back. It can’t be that bad. I get loads of injuries playing football. Do you ever hear me moaning?’

A moot point, she’d thought. ‘I’m in agony!’ she’d yelled.

But it had been like water off a duck’s back — no pun intended.

She’d given him the cold shoulder thereafter. But he’d not really been around long enough to notice, having met up with mates after work or been at footie.

Hopefully fate would intervene in some way. Either that or he’d realise he’d been insensitive and make it up to her.

Whatever the chiropractor did worked wonders and Jayne practically skipped home. Wow. What a difference. Walking in through the door, she saw Mike limping towards her. ‘Hi, love.’

‘What on earth’s the matter? Are you OK?’

‘I think I pulled something at training. My leg’s killing me every time I go upstairs or sit down.’ He screwed up his face in pain.

‘Sounds like you’ve pulled your hamstring. Do you want the number for the chiropractor? He sorted my back out.’

‘Nah. I’ll just put some of that heat rub stuff on. That will sort it. Have we got any?’

Jayne eyed him, knowing what was coming. ‘In the bathroom cabinet.’

‘I don’t suppose…’ He looked at her beseechingly.

Jayne sighed. ‘All right.’

She went upstairs and took the tube from the cabinet above the sink, before a gleam came into her eye. Would he remember? Going back downstairs, she handed it to him.

‘Can’t you?’

‘I will this time, but you’ll probably need to put some more on before bed. And don’t forget I’m meeting Sal tonight for a drink.’

‘Thanks, love. I gotta get this better before the big game on Saturday.’

Knowing it could sting like mad, and not wanting to get it anywhere near her face, Jayne washed her hands thoroughly before going into the sitting room. Mike had his leg up on the footstool and the TV on.

‘I’m off now. Won’t be late.’ ‘OK. Have fun.’

Returning a couple of hours later, Jayne saw Mike had fallen asleep in front of the TV. She turned it off before giving him a gentle shake.

‘Mike. I’m back and heading up to bed. Don’t forget to rub some more of that gel on.’

‘Hmm. Thanks for reminding me.’ He yawned. ‘I’ll just catch the headlines.’ He turned the TV back on.

Jayne was just snuggling under the duvet when she heard Mike come upstairs and go into the bathroom. A few minutes later, she heard a scream. He raced into the bedroom with his eyes watering.

‘What’s the matter?’

‘I put some of that heat rub on my leg. But I was desperate to pee so I went to the loo, only… I didn’t wash my hands first!’

Jayne continued to laugh as she snuggled under the duvet. It looked like she didn’t have to wait long for karma to work after all!

‘I think I pulled something at training. My leg’s killing me’