164 wivesbehavingbadly

she let me into the sitting room , and eased me down onto the sofa ," sit there intil i come bck ."
the morning light streaming into the room was so bright it hurt my eyes , i looked out of the french window . the lilac tree was unfurling its buds and , in the neighboring garden to my right , a magnolia had unleashed tiers of porcelain - cup blossoms .
"spring is cruel ," i said .
"yes ," gisela had returned with a tray . she put it down on the coffee table , reached into her handbag , and switched off her mobile .
" goodness ," i said ," it must be serious ."
\the sun lit a patch of carpet that years of exposure had changed from dark gray into a lighter shade . i heard nathan , so clearly , so very clearly : no , we can't afford a new carpet .
"minty ...." gisela picked up a finger of toast spread with butter and marmite ." eat ."
" i never touch butter , gisela , waistline ."
" you do today ."
i took the toast and chewed . the tang of marmite wa not disagreeable , and the tae was hot and strong , gisela sipped from a second mug ." terrible tae . what is it ?"
"ordinary stuff , i don't know ."
" lapsang is better ."
cross out : " ordinary stuff "  on weekly shopping list , and substitute " lapsang ."
from her vantage point , gisela appeared wise and budhalike . she was filled with substance and purpose while overnight .