We sat at the dining table and I admired the view. cariad was happily fussing around in the kitchen as she prepared to serve the meal. I reflected that she was the only person I had ever met who could possibly think of a kitchen as "sexy". Still, her culinary skills are without equal so I guess I have no cause for complaint.

Miss Michebe sat there opposite me giving her assets an airing. This suited me fine and I duly obliged her by giving the proffered portfolio a once-over. Then a twice-over just to be on the safe side.

"Wine?" I asked her, as I rather unsteadily held up the bottle. She glanced at me cooly then smiled. I felt like a goldfish trapped in a small bowl when the neghbour cat decides on a mid-morning snack. "Why not?" she replied, licking her red lips and boiling my water. She continued, "After all, I'm sure that we'll have something to celebrate by the time the evening is over. Is your, er, young lady about to join us?" She looked over to the door. "Perhaps, though, she will be...tied up elsewhere?"

I smothered the impulse to strangle Miss M on the spot. However, as I was a gentleman, once, my gallantry came into play.

*Tied up-that's a good one!" I laughed. But the water in my bowl froze.