The Mammoth Book Of Vampire Stories Written By Women

She watched. Oh, she watched, and she listened, and at every opportunity she searched through David's clothes, David's wallet, anything that David was unsuspecting enough to leave lying around for her. For six days she found nothing. Then on the seventh evening, while he was in the bath, the incriminating evidence finally appeared.

Penny did not know whether to feel triumphant or sick as she read the scribbled note at the back of David's diary. It said simply: Carmine, The Scream — Friday 12:30 . Not last Friday, because she'd looked in the diary more recently than that. Today was Thursday. Tomorrow, then. The Scream was a new minimalist cafe; Penny had suggested to David that they go there, but he had poo-poohed the idea, dismissing it as an overpriced trap for fashion victims. Now she knew why. Not exactly sensible to take one's wife to the same place where one met one's mistress

Noises from the bathroom announced David emerging, and hastily Penny replaced the diary in the inner pocket of his jacket. Twelve thirty tomorrow. Good. It would be the final proof.

The rain gave her the advantage of anonymity. It was easy to loiter next door to the cafe, hiding under a plain black umbrella and pretending to window-shop. Sheer good fortune staged the meeting as if it had been scripted: David arrived on foot, and as he reached the doorway a taxi drew up and Carmine got out.

Heart thudding painfully, Penny watched sidelong as they moved towards each other, and saw Carmine reach up to kiss her husband. It was not a sisterly kiss, and Penny waited no longer but turned and, quietly and unnoticed, walked away.

She therefore didn't see David's reaction to the kiss; didn't see him lay his hands on Carmine's upper arms and push her gently away. Carmine hesitated, searching his face, and what she saw there changed her expression. A small smile, a regretful and half-apologetic shrug. Then they went into the cafe together.

"I'm sorry." Carmine stirred her coffee but showed no inclination to drink it. "Yes, I confess I did hope that maybe something might develop between us. I'd be a liar if I didn't admit to finding you very attractive, and as we're both Well, it seemed logical somehow."

David thought the morality of that was dubious but didn't comment. "Apology accepted," he said. "And maybe under different circumstances"

"Thank you for being so tactful about it. But I overstepped the mark. I simply didn't realize how strongly you feel about Penny."

"I love her," he said. "And I don't want to lose her. When you called the first time, and told me what she'd asked you to do, it shocked me. I hadn't faced it before; hadn't thought through the implications of what I've become and what it'll mean to us in the future. Now, though"

"You want me to do it." She looked down at the table.

"Yes. So that Penny and I can stay together." His fingers moved restlessly. "I know it's a great deal to ask, Carmine; especially when you well, when I've disappointed you." He shook his head quickly. "Christ, that sounds so arrogant; I didn't mean"

"Forget it. I haven't lived as long as I have without developing a very thick skin. Yes, it is a great deal to ask. But you're asking it out of love, and I'd have a hard time coping with my conscience if I used love as an excuse for refusing."

David's eyes lit. "Then"

"I'll do it. Not for money; I won't accept payment this time." She raised her head, seemed to force herself to meet his gaze, and smiled. "Call it my love token to you."

There was a brief silence, then David let out a long breath and relaxed in his chair. "Thank you. I don't know how to tell you what this means to me."

"Then don't try." One of her hands, under the table, clenched until the fingernails dug painfully into her flesh. "I could begin this evening," she added after a few moments. "Sooner the better, yes? Then I'll be out of your hair for good."

"I don't know what to say, Carmine."

"You're making a habit of these 'don't know's." She manufactured a laugh to show that that was a joke. "I'll come to your house at eight o'clock, then?"

"Eight o'clock. Yes. Thank you."

Carmine stood up to leave, her coffee still untouched. "It might be better if you don't tell Penny before I arrive. She isn't very well disposed towards me at the moment."

"That'll change."

"Ah. My consolation, and reward for services rendered." Her mouth twitched with a sad drollery. "I'll see you this evening. Oh, and a glass or two of a decent Bordeaux or Burgundy would be welcome afterwards. Goodbye, David."

He hadn't intended to say a word to Penny about it, but when he walked into the house and saw her tight face and tense posture, he wanted to cheer her into a happier mood. So he kissed her (she responded stiffly) and said, "I've got a surprise for you."

"Oh?" Penny eyed him uncertainly, wishing she could hate him for what he was doing to her.

"Mmm. You'll find out what it is at eight o'clock. When Carmine arrives."