“Karen! Leave it until after dessert!” joked Dave.“Your lucky day,” added Ken with a loud laugh that I joined in with while thinking, ‘Did s...e really need to push herself back up with her hand there?’We faded from the table onto the rattan settees with overstuffed cushions and more wine was served. Dave put on the chill out music and the chatter continued. It was a warm clear night with stars up there somewhere. I was very relaxed for the first time in a long time and I couldn’t stop my mind. It started slowly, a sniffle, then a sob, but then she was crying violently, wails of anguish, screams of pain. I just held and comforted her as best I could. She finally wound down to hiccups and snorts."I love you" she sighed, drifting off to sleep. She slept ten hours, until the coffee woke her, as usual.Tentative. Cautious. We rediscovered each other, mentally and physically. Learned new things we never knew about each other. Fell in love. More in love, actually.She started nesting,. Her bum was amazing. The guy hung around for a further few minutes acting very charming. He seemed to be able to press all my wife’s buttons. He then staggered back to his friends, not before telling me I am a lucky man. We did our shots. Emma pulled me close. “I am so naughty, I could not stop starring at that guy’s bulge. He looked very well equipped.” I was speechless. Was she joking? We are married! I thought I would dig deeper and play along. “Oh yeah? Did you think he was attractive?. When I finally rose to my feet, my eyes were puffy and sore, dark strands of hair matted against my wet face. I took a deep breath and made a promise to myself that I’d try and put my life back together. Months later, I went back to the gallery for the first time. My assistant Carol had been handling things since I’d been away. I took a few pieces that I’d finished before the accident but my heart wasn’t in it. I regretted the long hours I spent in the studio above the garage. I’d lock myself.