I hadn't felt someone hold my hand in a while. I had to admit that it felt good.I tried to fake a smile, I'm sure it came out ugly, and I quickly stop...ed, but I stayed planted in my chair, ready to face the evening.I still couldn't remember my date's name. Somehow that didn't bother me. What did bother me was that my presence with a date had no affect on Harold. I continued to stare at him, and after the appetizers were taken from our table, my date changed tactics and watched Harold with. It all started on one of my visits, just like today. My wife had gone to the flower show and I had found The White Swan for the first time. I asked the waitress for a coffee and then picked up one of the newspapers. I looked round at the tasteful décor and when my coffee arrived I took a sip and made an appreciative ‘Mm mm’ sound as I tasted their delicious blend.‘Good, isn’t it. I understand that they import it exclusively for the hotel.’I looked up and took in the attractive woman who looked. She used to say u notice me so much, not even my husband used to say this da. I asked if u feel I m crossing my limit, say tat di. She said no probs da, I m enjoying it. Her hubby is in night shift. Then on reaching home, we used to message about our dinner etc. One day I said I am going to kiss u now. She said how come now. I said through message. She said hey no da. I asked plz di only once. She said ok. I gave some 10 kisses her though msg. She told me, you said only one kiss. Now you are. For the first time since I watched the doctor pull a sheet overhis face, I'm glad my father isn't alive.That's the real crime you committed today, you thieving fucking tart.Close to exhaustion, I limp over to the armchair and sit down to removeRuth's high-heeled ankle boots. Anger and resentment conspire to flingthem into the farthest corner of the room.How dare she do this to me?How dare she?It wasn't much of a life: a job I hated; a squalid bedsit; no girlfriendnor any realistic hope of.