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properly.”
    “What does Jen say?” he asked looking over at his wife who was coming over with a tray of coffee.
    They could hear the children playing happily outside.
    “I think it’s a great idea. The girls love Anne’s house, and so many things to explore in her garden. We’d love to – David?”
    She looked over at her husband knowing his answer.
    “Great, yes...what time?” he asked, though his antennae knew there was something more to this surprise visit.
    “I thought I’d make it an early dinner so the girls could enjoy the garden,” Anne told them. “More like a picnic really, about five thirty – the weather is supposed to hold.”
    “Sounds brilliant, these summer evenings can be so hot inside. We accept your invitation and look forward to coming,” David replied, raising his coffee cup as a toast.
    They laughed.
    “Okay, so tell me the real reason you’re here,” he said, after putting down his cup, his tone now serious.
    “Jenny has something to tell you first,” Anne stated.
    David looked at his wife, frowning when he saw the anxious look on her beautiful face.
    He took her hand in his and said gently, “Come on, Jen, tell me. What’s the matter? You can tell me anything – as long as you’re not having an affair! You’re not, are you?”
    He was suddenly worried. Why else would Anne be here if she felt she couldn’t talk to him alone?
    Jenny looked back at her husband’s troubled eyes and smiled. “It’s nothing like that. In a way that would be simpler to deal with.”
    “That’s okay, then! Anything else will be easy.”
    David sighed.
    “I don’t know how to begin. It’s probably nothing, as I’ve told Anne.”
    Jenny looked uncomfortable as she spoke.
    “I did try to tell you before, but there was never the right time. You’ve been away such a lot and you’re so tired when home, I didn’t want to worry you.”
    “Look, Jen, whatever it is, we’ll tackle it together, like always. I’m sorry about being away so much, though things are going to change, I promise you. I wasn’t going to say anything yet, but it looks like I’m going to be promoted, and this means a desk job in the city. So I’ll be home everyday – you’ll get sick of the sight of me!”
    David squeezed Jenny’s hand as he spoke.
    “Oh, thank goodness! To have you home...that’s probably what’s been the matter, me being on my own so much,” Jenny said, obviously relieved.
    “Well, nothing’s definite, but Larry told me on the QT; it seems I’m the man for the job. Anyway, even if it doesn’t work out, I’m going to tell the boss I’ve had enough of all this travelling.”
    “But you love it, David! Don’t give it up just for me.”
    “It’s not just for you, my love. I hate being away from you and the girls. Things are going to change, one way or the other. But tell me, what’s been going on?”
    Jenny explained what had been happening over the past year, just as she had told Anne.
    David didn’t say anything until she had finished while looking at the notebook, full of times and dates.
    He looked at both women, and then said, “This is serious, and we must call the police – right now! Jen, why didn’t you tell me before? For you to keep something like this from me for so long...surely you knew you could tell me? Oh, sweetheart!”
    David pulled his wife onto his lap and held her close.
    Her tears began to flow with all the pent up fear she had held for so long . It’s going to be alright, David knows, it’s going to be alright, she thought with relief.
    Anne watched her friends and allowed them some time together. She walked over to the window and saw her goddaughters playing happily in the garden. She watched as they chatted to each other in their own special code, piling sand high then jumping on it and trampling it down again, giggling.
    Glancing back at Jenny and David, she saw that they were once more sitting next to each other but holding hands.
    “More coffee?”