The Meltdown of a Banker's Wife by Gill Davy-Bowker Page A

at the scene. Michael was clutching his favourite Barbie doll as his insecurity over this episode had thrown his worries about looking ‘like a girl’ (as Algy had taunted) totally into the shade. Amy clutched at the velvet pouch which cocooned her spider and kept her other arm firmly around Michael’s shoulder. The dog turned around a few times behind the sofa and collapsed in a heap and the cat was all spiked up as though he had had an electric shock. So, Daddy and Mummy stood and smiled benignly at each other and at the children. Then Daddy asked Mummy if she would like a cup of tea … despite the fact that he was dressed in Calvin Klein underpants and Savile Row suit jacket, ripped shirt and tie.
    â€˜Yes please, darling. Earl Grey would be lovely!’ trilled Mel. This little ritual calmed and normalised the atmosphere and the children; even Iggy and Ozzie relaxed at last.
    â€˜Up to bed now, sweethearts!’ said Mel, beatific smile fixed on face as she and Alan decided to increase the corniness by joining with the children in a reassuring ‘all family together’ hug.
    â€˜Don’t worry … it’s just Mummy and Daddy playing tag,’ laughed Alan lamely.
    The children, relieved, went off to bed and Mel was left feeling totally sober and rather sick about what she might be about to hear. All those ‘I have a bone to pick with you’ moments came flooding back to her and she just hoped that Alan wouldn’t compound the problem by also calling her by her full name of ‘Melanie’. ‘Melanie’ was, she supposed, a very nice name, but she had only ever been called this when she was in trouble.
    â€˜OK, Mel. Let’s go and sit down in the garden. I’m so sick of being indoors at the moment. Let’s look at the stars and dunk some biscuits in our tea.’
    She felt the weight drop off her shoulders as they both went outside to sit in the swinging seat. Although it was midnight, it was hot and muggy, but the fresh air lightened their spirits. Suddenly, Mel didn’t think Alan was having an affair. She felt daft ever to have contemplated it. He had put on some jogging bottoms but was still wearing his ruined shirt with tie loosened, collar button undone and sleeves rolled up. God, he was sexy like that!
    â€˜I know I’ve been out a lot. I’m not surprised you were feeling as you did, although I think you could have presented your hypothesis a little more rationally than by tearing my trousers off! You only had to ask,’ he laughed, which was quite amazing really, considering that she was responsible for a minefield of a kitchen and very expensive torn trousers.
    â€˜I’m sorry. I really am, Alan. It’s just that you’re never around and I get scared because I know what people are like where you work. I’ve seen it so many times in hospitals too. Doctors and nurses working long hours in a world cut off from normal life. From what I’ve heard, it’s the same in banking. There must be affairs raging torridly everywhere at Ponsonby and Tosser!
    Alan sighed and nodded slowly. ‘There is a lot of that, I have to be honest, Mel.’ Then he turned to her and looked unflinchingly into her eyes ‘But I promise you that we are different. I love you, Melly. I would never cheat on you. For one thing, I’d be too scared of what a nutter like you would do to me if you found out. And for another, I’m far too knackered to even contemplate an affair.’
    â€˜So what is it then? Is Big Swinging Dick coming over?’
    â€˜He is. He arrives tomorrow. I’ve had to put in some presentations with boss man Phil breathing down my neck whispering not so gently about balls and axes. We’ve sold as much as possible to as many as possible. We’ve bought loads of investments like frenzied lemmings. My balls are definitely right out there!’
    â€˜I can see that,’ observed Mel,