THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY Betty Bullock
Although she was an expert eavesdropper, even Mrs Priddoe had to strain her ears to overhear the conversation at the next table.
' ..... so I thought it was high time I met the new woman in his life.'
'Ooh good,' thought Mrs Priddoe, now this should be interesting. She sacrificed a few moments to study the woman who had just spoken. Obviously the wife, she thought, a handsome woman, say in her late forties, wonderful clothes, very expensive. Serene intelligent face, seems unusually calm in the circumstances. The other woman was replying.
' ..... call came as a surprise. To be honest I wasn't sure whether anyone knew that Don and I were .....'
'Is everything satisfactory Madam? ' The waiter's voice distracted Mrs Priddoe from hearing the rest. 'Yes, Yes. thank you.' She waved him away impatiently and rapidly tuned in again.
'..... never been married but they say there are always giveaway signs, particularly to wives.'
A waiter arrived to take the two women's order so Mrs Priddoe turned her attention to the younger woman. Well, Don has certainly not gone for the same type. she thought, despite the theory to the contrary. She can't be more than twenty, twenty-one at the outside, the healthy open air type. looks at home in T-shirt and jeans, a bit scruffy really, and she bites her nails. Now the wife's hands are beautiful, not done much housework with those. What a contrast. Strikes me Don is trying to relive his youth. Men! She smiled to herself recalling her Doug's pathetic attempt to do that in Spain years ago and how it had ended in humiliation for him, leaving her to pick up the pieces. Ah, yes, I can look back and laugh about it now but it wasn't funny at the time. . . The wife was speaking.
'..... quite apparent something was wrong so I couldn't just stand idly by and do nothing after all I have a prime interest in this, don't you agree Linda? '
'Of course, although in my defence I must say I understood the marriage was already on the rocks, I'm not a femme fatale.'
'No, if you don't mind me saying so that is patently obvious.'
Nice one, thought Mrs Priddoe edging her chair a little nearer. Fifteen love I think. If she was lucky enough to overhear an argument she always kept score, it was part of the fun. She urged her mind to blot out all the hubbub and clatter of the busy restaurant.
'..... did you meet? '
' I belong to the same golf club. '
'Ah that explains a lot, from playing once now and again to three times a week did seem rapid progress. I thought so at the time but didn't mention it. '
Well you wouldn't would you, thought Mrs Priddoe indignantly. Golf club indeed. Is nowhere safe from these wife snatchers. Doug plays a lot. I wonder? No, he's so puffed up when he's won and grumpy when he hasn't. It couldn't be an act.
cont.....
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