she said lightly.
‘Of course darling, let’s concentrate on tonight!’
Reading Ellie’s email suggesting that she talk to Jasper and tell him of her worries, she’d been forced to admit that it was eminently sensible advice and exactly what Fliss would have said herself if she’d been thinking clearly. Slightly ashamed that she had needed someone else to point her in the right direction, she had adopted the idea with enthusiasm. Communication was the key to any successful marriage, she knew that, so she needed to speak to Jasper and see if he felt that their relationship had changed of late. Perhaps, as Ellie had suggested, he was feeling exactly the same and would sigh in relief when Fliss brought up the subject and say that he also thought that action was needed and what did Fliss have in mind. They could have the problem sorted out in no time.
As a result, when Jasper arrived home that evening, she announced that she was taking him out for a meal. Their favourite restaurant had been booked, a nice quiet table in the corner requested, and whilst Jasper may think it was a spontaneous gesture, Fliss was feeling quietly confident that after her plan to have a good heart to heart, all would be back to normal.
After an enthusiastic welcome from the maître d' they were shown to the table Fliss had requested, quiet and tucked away from the noise and constant comings and goings of the main area.
‘Wouldn’t you rather have your usual table by the window,’ asked Giorgio, pulling out Fliss’ chair. ‘Where you can see everybody else?’
‘That would be great …’ began Jasper.
‘No thank you,’ answered Fliss firmly. ‘This is perfect.’
At Jasper’s raised eyebrow, she shrugged. ‘It can get a little noisy,’ she said. ‘I wanted a chance to chat.’
He reached out and pulled one of her hands up to his mouth, kissing the back of her knuckles. ‘That sounds far more interesting,’ he said, so sincerely that Fliss immediately decided that she’d vastly overreacted to a busy few weeks. There was nothing wrong with their marriage!
Sipping at the white wine delivered with a flourish by Giorgio, Fliss smiled happily. This was going to be much easier than she had imagined.
‘Isn’t this lovely, just the two of us? We should make the effort to do this more often.’
‘Indeed,’ Jasper agreed as he reached for his phone. He always turned off both the sound and vibration whenever they were eating out. But his eagle eyes watched it all the time and a flash of light had told him a new message had arrived. ‘It's wonderful,’ he murmured absently, his attention taken by whatever he was reading.
Fliss remained silent for a moment then put her hand gently over his. ‘Is it something important?’
‘Not really, just a new press release from …. Oh, darling, I'm sorry! We’re supposed to be having a night together.’ Pulling a face, he pushed the phone a little closer to the centre of the table. ‘I won't touch it again,’ he promised, his intense blue eyes turning all their attention on Fliss. ‘Now, what shall we talk about? Anything new happened in the world of agony?’
Fliss couldn't help smiling. She had been absolutely right, well, Ellie had been right. Communicating was so important, look at the improvement already. Maybe it wasn't all Jasper's fault, maybe she was also guilty of letting other things take priority in their lives.
‘Nothing in particular. We just don't get much time to ourselves these days, I wanted us to be able to have a catch-up.’
Smiling across the table, Jasper lifted his glass. ‘It has been a little manic lately, hasn't it?’ he complained whilst looking quite pleased with himself. ‘This is such a good idea. You look beautiful tonight and it reminds me what a very lucky man I am.’
Fliss had never dreamt it could be so easy.
‘You have been very busy recently,’ she said magnanimously. ‘But it is important that we make time for each other.’
‘I couldn't agree more and tonight we have our opportunity so let's make the most of it!’ and he raised his glass higher to toast his wife, almost throwing the contents over her as someone slapped him on the back.
‘Fancy meeting you two here,’ boomed a voice. ‘You should have told us you were coming, we could have booked a table together.’
Ross Bannister grinned down at them, blowing a kiss in the direction of Fliss and grasping Jasper’s hand.
‘Why didn't you phone? Don't tell me you make a