could continue and she would remind Jasper, with renewed determination, just what they’d once had and hopefully jolt him into seeing how much had changed. She just needed to remain clothed and stay away from Freddie.
So when Jasper came downstairs a few hours later, he found his wife in the kitchen in pair of cut-off jeans and bare feet, singing happily as she made pancakes in what she hoped was a faithful recreation of the Fliss of years gone by, the one who had never had any trouble capturing her husband’s attention. She had spent a considerable amount of time applying a subtle layer of makeup that made her look as though she hadn’t bothered applying any at all and her hair had been carefully fluffed to produce a just got out of bed look. Her feet were almost blue with cold and she was desperate to slide them into her fluffy slippers but the Fliss from old had been far more relaxed about such things and hadn't possessed any slippers, fluffy or otherwise.
‘You're up early. Are those pancakes you’re making?’
As usual, Jasper was immaculately dressed, his shirt professionally pressed, his pinstriped suit lint-free and without any unwanted creases.
‘Your favourite,’ grinned Fliss. ‘I thought you deserved a treat.’
Jasper was staring at his phone and it was a moment before he looked up, a slightly vacant expression on his face. ‘What? Oh, pancakes. Yes, I did used to like them but I don't think I’ve got time this morning. I have an early meeting and ….’
‘Nonsense. They’re nearly ready, sit down.’
‘Fliss I really …’
‘I always made you pancakes in the morning, remember?’
‘Yes I do and they were lovely.’
‘You used to say that you couldn't get through a day at work without your pancakes!’
‘But …’
‘They’re ready. Here we go,’ and stepping back Fliss flicked the frying pan upwards, tossing the pancake high into the air. It had been her party trick, or rather her kitchen trick. One magnificent toss upwards before she slid a perfect pancake onto Jasper’s plate. But it had been some time since she’d been in pancake mode. And as she took a step backwards, Jasper had taken a step forwards, their elbows crashing together which meant that as the pancake went sailing into the air, it adopted a slight lilt and in a move worthy of a spin bowler, completely changed direction flying over Fliss’ head to land squarely on Jasper's shoulder.
Gasping, Fliss put her hand to her mouth, looking with horrified eyes at the pancake now decorating Jasper’s suit, a greasy stain already beginning to grow across his lapel.
‘What on earth,’ yelled Jasper, leaping back but far too late to avoid the pancake attack. ‘Fliss! For God’s sake, look at my suit!’
‘I'm sorry,’ she whispered, grabbing a tea towel to remove the offending pancake. ‘I'm so sorry, I tossed it a little too high and …’
‘I'm going to have to get changed which means I’m going to be late,’ grumbled Jasper, rubbing at his suit with a grimace. ‘And I'll have to take this to the dry cleaners, I wanted to wear it later in the week.’
‘I’ll take it for you,’ Fliss offered. ‘I’m sorry, it was an accident.’
‘Well, it wouldn't have happened if you'd listened to me in the first place. I didn't even want a pancake!’ and taking off the greasy jacket, Jasper went bounding up the stairs chuntering on every step.
Shoulders drooping, Fliss threw the remains of the soggy pancake in the bin. Not the best start to the day she decided, trying to find a smile to put in place as she heard his footsteps coming back down the stairs.
‘I've made you a coffee,’ she said cheerfully as he came back into the kitchen. ‘You can knock it back before you go.’
‘Thank you but I really am running late now. I’ll grab some at work,’ and with a last glance at his phone, he was gone, the only sound his car starting up and the swish of gravel as he left the drive.
Goodness me thought Fliss. It really shouldn't be this hard being nice to your husband. No wonder so many people didn’t bother! Cleaning the kitchen of pancake, she hoped his mood wouldn’t stop him from appreciating the surprise waiting for him when he arrived at his office and tonight, she was going to make toad in the hole, his absolute favourite meal. They were going to eat at the kitchen table, not in the formal dining room. They would chat and