"Barry, come in. You have me totally mystified." She opened the door wide and directed him inside with a delicate hand.

"God, you look lovely, Gwen. Ted must be nu- prouder than hell to have a woman like you."

"Goodness, how does one respond to that. Thank you seems so- so stingy." She swept ahead of him into the living room, startled to realize the emphasis she was placing on her walk. "It's early, but you're welcome to a drink if you like."

"I think I need one," he smiled, finding a seat on the sofa. "Plain scotch if you have it."

"I do." She poured a stiff shot and placed it in his hand then sat slightly away on the same sofa. "So, Barry, what is so urgent you had to see me this morning?" She glanced at her watch.

He tossed back the drink, seeing her eyebrows rise, and coughed into his hand. What's urgent is I want to mount you right here on this sofa and ride into the sunset. "I - I want to tell you a story." Gwen clasped her hands and tilted her head attentively. "You may or may not know that Doris and I are- well we're not what we used to be. I mean, I'm what I used to be- I mean, our marriage is not. What it used to be."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Barry. I didn't know." Liar.

He waved the hand with the empty glass and Gwen jumped up immediately. "I wasn't asking-"

"Don't worry. It sounds like you might need it." She placed it, refilled, in his hand and sat down again. closer.

He took a deep breath and half the glass then squared his shoulders and started again. "For some time now, Gwen, I've been thinking of a- a change." He finished the drink. "These trips that Ted has been making for the company have actually been for me."

She felt her heart stop and then start again. He was going to tell her he knew what Ted was planning. Dampness invaded her fresh blouse, and she gripped her fingers tighter.

"Gwen, I've been building a little nest egg for some time now waiting for the right moment to- to fly away." He licked his lips and ran stubby fingers over his forehead. "I know you and Ted. I know he's been cheating on you." Gwen sucked in a sharp breath. Barry was the caller. He sat forward, bumping her knee with the glass. "Sorry. Please, I'm not being a nosey old boss here. I'm trying to say I understand how you must feel. I mean, what with Doris and I, and all."

"Barry, you called and said something about business and now you sit here and make declarations about your marriage and my private affairs. Business. My private business." She sucked her teeth and blushed. "Give me that." She took the glass and filled it again.

"I don't think I need-"

"This is for me."

He watched as she tossed back the full amount without a blink. Jesus, what a woman!

"Now, do you have business to discuss or not. I have a very busy afternoon."

He took her hand without resistance and locked on her eyes. "Gwen, this nest egg is quite substantial and I think I need- no, I know I want you to be the one to share it with me." Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened as she held them on Barry's pleading features. "I'm leaving Doris anyway and what with Ted- well I can give you what you deserve, Gwen. You'll want for nothing." He slid closer until their knees met.

"Barry. what- I don't know how to respond to this." And she really didn't. This way was even more money, she'd still be rid of Ted and there wouldn't be any possibility of criminal accusations. "This is just too much to take in, Barry. Why would you think that I would-?"

"Because I need you to say yes! All those Christmas parties, those dances, the flirting. it was never just pretend with me, Gwen."

"Good grief, Barry, that's so high school." She felt his grip tighten.

"Don't put me down, Gwen. You don't know what this would mean to me- to us. Say you will. Please."

"Barry!"

"It's well over half a million dollars, Gwen."

"How much!" Barry suddenly looked like Cary Grant, and her promises to the others involved dissolved in the growing heat of their proximity.

"It's true. Over half a million, but I know money isn't everything to you. A full life of happiness and freedom is your goal. I could tell the moment I met you."

You must have met somebody else, Barry. "Those are my goals," she lied. "Barry, I don't really think-"

"Then don't! Just do!" He lunged forward and pressed her back on the cushions, his hands darting about like frightened sparrows. Gwen opened her mouth in shock and found it filled with his tongue, her carefully selected wardrobe crunching up like an accordion over her hips.

The mantle clock chimed eleven forty-five and Gwen blinked at the ceiling, her body a veritable heat pump. She turned her head and saw Barry sitting on the floor trying to pull on a sock, his striped jockey shorts scrunched up between his thighs. What happened? She vaguely recalled something about half a million dollars and then she was writhing, not entirely without appreciable pleasure, underneath her husband's boss.

Suddenly the number of chimes registered and she struggled to sit, checking her watch. Forty-five minutes to leave and make it to Portsdown. Half a million dollars. Wait a minute! She sat bolt upright. Ted was carrying a briefcase with three hundred and fifty thousand. That meant Barry could have less than Ted at the moment! Shit! She'd almost banged away her opportunity.

"What's wrong?" Barry hobbled to his feet, doing up his pants.

"You have to leave. I don't know what came over you but you have to leave, Barry. And you better be careful about what you do or Ted will hear about this- this assault."

"Assault! Assault? You nearly broke my back. If anyone could claim assault-"

"Out, Barry. Now!"

He stumbled ahead of her as she shoved him toward the door. "Is this a no then?"

"OUT!" She slammed the door behind him and threw another glance at her watch. "Christ in a cookie jar!" She ran through the house and up the stairs, tearing off the rest of her clothes and giving herself a hasty rinsing. Ten minutes later she was in her getaway garb with her travel bag and was bolting down the stairs to the car.

Calm now, she admonished herself. You have lots of time, just be calm. She started the car and cursed when she realized her shirt was buttoned in the wrong holes. Piss on it! I'll stop somewhere on the way. The car peeled down the street with a grim, determined Gwen at the wheel.

This was the best plan still, she thought, turning onto the main street leading to the highway. The sun slanted in the driver's window warming her shoulder and an unbidden image of Barry, made her shift uncomfortably in the seat, a memory that persisted for several miles.