Katy was lying in the bath at half-past six on Tuesday, allowing the warm water to wash over her body. She had half an hour before Mike showed, and wanted to wash away the frustrations of the day. Except the door bell rang. Katy was sure she had said seven. She climbed out of the bath, made a half-hearted attempt to dry herself, and put on her bathrobe. It was only Mike, afterall. She padded downstairs and opened the door.
"Hello Mike, you're early," Katy said, a little crossly.
"Sorry, Katy - I was at a loose end. I see I got you out of the bath. Sorry," Mike replied. Katy invited him in, not looking out carefully into the street. Had she done so, she might have noticed Tony in Mike's car. Mike had a minature microphone in his watch, letting Tony listen into his and Katy's conversation, so that Tony could be certain his new wife would be true throughout their marriage.
"Fancy a drink?" Katy asked.
"Do you have any whisky?"
Katy raised an eyebrow, but opened the drinks cabinet and poured two stiff whiskies. "Hard liquor, already, Mike?" she teased. "Are you building up courage for something?"
Mike downed the glass and asked for another. "I can always walk home," he justified. Katy poured it for him, while taking sips of her own.
"Mike, you are acting weird. What is it? Why did you not want me to tell Tony that you were coming?"
"Katy," Mike began. "You know that scene in Love Actually where Keira Knightley is about to marry someone and his best friend declares his undying love?" Katy nodded, nervously. Mike continued. "Well, that's me. I have loved you since I met you. And you are my best friend's girl. And life is so unfair. You are so beautiful, and so sexy, and so fun. I want you to know before you marry that I can never hope to find anyone like you. Katy, I love you, and would ask just one kiss so that I can always dream what might have been." |