.................She was known as the Clark Kent of the staff room for no other reason than that she was distinctly mild mannered; no one had ever heard a bad word coming from her, and yet here she was about to commit something extraordinarily out of character.

.................Let's take this back to happier times, when Sally first met Ian. Although he wasn't her first date, he was certainly her first love. They had met through a dating agency and were Married within a year, much to her mother's and father’s disappointment. As far as they were concerned, she was destined for better things than teaching

.................As Ian's work often took away for long periods, Sally decided she would train to be a primary school teacher, something that had always been hiding the back of a mind.

.................She successfully completed her training, probation and had 5 years in the classroom, where she was fully at home. Meanwhile her marriage appeared to her and her friends and family to be equally successful. Ian was kind attentive when at home and kept constant contact with her when he was away. Life, was to all intents and purposes was very happy. Until, things changed.

.................The Catalyst for this change with something so vey innocuous: A seminar on the impact of dyslexia on children. This was something that on Sally Ann was is immensely interested in, as she had had several children over the years presenting with this difficulty. A last-minute place had been offered to the school and she had been asked to take it on. The seminar was taking place that weekend and she would have to travel to Edinburgh that day, the Friday, and with Ian being away, there did not seem to be anything to stop her.

.................She laid her phone down on the table disappointed that she was unable contact her husband, but not surprised, his job often took him away two places where Wi-Fi and phone signals were not good at best. She left emails, text messages and voicemails and decided that that would be enough. He would be able to get back to her when conditions allowed.

.................After an uneventful journey, she arrived at the hotel where the conference was taking place. She booked in and reserved a table for evening meal. As she turned from the reception desk she was met by young woman carrying a clipboard, a pen and wearing round her neck, a lanyard, attach to which, was a plastic name tag.

................." Are you here for dyslexia seminar? " The lady asked.

................." Yes." replied Sally.

................."Excellent. welcome My name is Sophie. " As she said this the young woman pointed to her name tag.

................."Thank you. My name is Sally."

.................Sophie began scrolling down her clipboard. "Ah there you are Sally Thomas? that must be you as you're the only Sally coming That is impressive. We weren't expecting you until tomorrow, given that the invitation were only sent out this morning. You are keen. "

.................“Yeah dyslexia is a particular interest of mine and I had nothing in particular for this weekend anyway. "

.................When Sally entered the restaurant, she found that it was full, apart from one table which had one empty seat, the other was occupied by Sophie. After the initial trepidation about sitting eating with a stranger Sally Ann found that's Sophie was extremely good company, especially after having shared a bottle of red wine with her.

.................After the meal along, with many of the other teacher's they retired to the bar. “One rule and one rule only. No shop talk in the bar. There’ll be enough of that for the next two days.” “Agreed.” replied Sally.

.................Their discussions, surprisingly, centred mainly around music: their likes and dislikes and found they had much in common there. “I’ve seen Madonna live in London twice said Sophie.”

.................“Right, I’m now officially jealous. I’ve loved her since I was sixteen and have never managed to see her anywhere, let alone in London.”

.................It was when they started talking about life outside the classroom that things began to turn extremely strange.

“Your husband’s name is Ian. So’s mine. “said Sally.“Well officially his name is Ian but he likes me to call him John because that’s what his Mum used to call him.”

.................“My Ian’s parents called him John so it’s the other way round. How’s that for a coincidence.

.................The discussion about their respective spouses continued.

.................“My John works in construction.”

.................“Ian’s a builder.”

.................“John works away for weeks at a time.”

.................“Ian’s away just now and I don’t expect him back for at least a week. In fact, he doesn’t know I’m here. I couldn’t contact him before I left. Still can’t.” at this point Sally’s phone began to vibrate in her handbag. “That’ll be him.” She took out her phone. “I’ll need to answer this. It’s him. Hi Honey… I’m in Edinburgh… A chance came up to attend a seminar on Dyslexia so since you were away I volunteered… Yeah I did say Edinburgh… Are you ok?... because you sound strange… Look I need to go I’m in company just now… Oh just one of the organisers of the event… Her name? … It’s Sophie. Wait I’ll put you on speaker phone you can say Hi.”

................. There was a long silence, until eventually Ian said, “High Sophie.”
The Phone went dead.

.................Sally was so put out about the way her husband had ended the conversation that she at first didn’t see the startled expression on her new friend’ s face.

................. “Are you having a laugh at my expense here? If you are I can tell you now. I don’t find it in the least funny!” Sophie said through clenched teeth.

.................“Pardon? What are you on about?” Sally said taken aback.

.................“You know full well what I’m on about. I don’t know how you and John got together to come up with this stunt but pack it in. It’s not funny.”

.................“John and I? Your John and I?”

.................“Yes, My John and you. The gag’s gone too far now. Just call him back and tell him it’s done, and I didn’t find it funny. Or will I?

.................“Look Sophie I don’t know what you are on about. I’ve never met your husband before. I’ve only just met you!”

.................“So how come my husband just called your phone and he spoke to me!” Sophie’s voice was rising.

.................“That was Ian. My husband. Does he sound like yours?”

“No, he doesn’t sound like John because it is John. I know my own husband’s voice!” Again, a rise in volume.

.................“Look I’ll call Ian back and you can speak to him. They both sat waiting but instead of a ring tone it went to voicemail. Sally left a message

Both women looked at each other. Both were exasperated and confused. It was when Sophie took out her own mobile and switched it on, that Sally saw the screensaver, she asked,

................. “Why have you got my husband as your screensaver?”

................. “Your husband?” as she said this Sally produced a picture on her mobile; a picture of her husband Ian.

.................John or Ian sat on the edge of the hotel room bed stating intently at his phone. “Why the hell did I answer it? He asked himself.

.................“What was that?” a groggy voice muttered from under the duvet.

.................“Nothin,” he replied “an is no’ time you got up and got back to work?”

.................Gloria, well that’s what she called herself, sat up, looked at the bedside clock and jumped out of the bed stark naked. As she dressed, she yelled “Why didn’t you wake me? I got another client in an hour. And I’ve to get to the other side of town!”

.................“With what I’ve just given you, you can afford a cab.” This was said rather more unkindly than he had meant. “Sorry I’ve got things going on.”

.................“Whatever. Same again next time,” As she said this, she stuffed the pile of notes he had left on the bedside table, into her handbag.

.................“I really don’t know.” With that she left.

................. The ring tone woke him. It seemed like only minutes after he had fallen asleep. He looked at the clock. itI was nine. The bottle of wine he had drunk after Gloria had left had rendered him practically unconscious. The screen warned him it was Sally. There was nothing for it. He took in a deep breath, “Hello.”

.................“Good morning darling. How are you? I take it that it was that rotten signal you get up there that cut us off?”

.................“Darling, did she just say Darling?” he thought. Things suddenly seemed a little brighter.

................. “Yeah, it’s terrible up here. I tried several times to call back but no luck.

................. “Who was that you asked me to speak to. Last night?”

.................“That was just one of the teachers on the course. Her name’s Sophie. Why?”

.................“No reason I just hope she didn’t think I was really rude.”

.................“Not at all she ‘s really nice. Anyway, you back next Monday?”

.................Ian couldn’t believe his luck,” Aye The train come into central about eight.”

.................“Brilliant, why don’t I come into town and meet you we can have a quick drink and grab something to eat.” Sally said.

.................“Sure, where do you fancy?” His earlier hangover was becoming a thing of the past.

.................Sally hesitated, as if she was trying to think and then said,” I know Let’s meet in the Horseshoe in case one of us is late. Try and get our usual seat. Ok.”

.................Ian found that their usual seat was empty and sat down with his pint and his wife’s glass of wine. From there he could see all the comings and goings in the bar. Being a Monday night it was almost empt.: just a few of the regulars, mostly men of a certain age and a few couples.

................. He jumped when the bar door flew open and banged noisily as two women bustled their way to the Ladies, giggling drunkenly as they went. There were two couples a few tables down they looked rather out of place. Both the girls had very long hair and very short skirts, their long handbags draped over the backs of their chairs. After a few minutes both the men got up and left both looking very disappointed.
“No luck lads,” Ian said to himself. I don’t think you could have afforded them anyway.”

.................Ian tried very hard not to stare, but the long legs on show were a distraction, added to that he could just see that both women were very well stacked; something he missed. Both his wives were beautiful but rather flat.. even the luscious Gloria was lacking in that department. “Probably as ugly as sin.” He said to himself.

.................Within minutes of the boys leaving the taller of the two girls reached over to her friend and pulled her head towards her own. Ian couldn’t see clearly from the angle he was at but he was certain they were snogging.

................. He was starting to enjoy the floorshow and hoping fervently that Sally would not appear any time soon. He couldn’t believe his luck when the shorter girls swung her leg over her mate and straddled her, a feat performed without breaking the snog “Shit.” moaned Ian.

.................“Right you two, that’s enough!” The very large barmaid shouted.

.................They very slowly uncoupled and stood up. Ian watched as they turned to face him, but he was looking elsewhere, other than their faces. It wasn’t until they began to walk towards him that Ian’s heart leapt. As they sat down, Sally and Sophie began to remove their wigs. Ian could say nothing. To add even more to his shock each of the girls delved into their bras and removed rather large silicone chicken fillets and plumped them down on the table.

.................Sally spoke first. ” Do not say a word just listen.” From her handbag she removed a brown envelope. Ian noticed it was addressed simply,”Bastard”. “These are divorce papers. Sign them. There’s an addressed envelope inside. Post them, because after today we will have no more contact. I intend to take everything that I’m due. And by the way we know about your inheritance. The poor little orphan story is as we know now, nonsense. We know you have a small fortune from your parents, squirreled away. Anne over there.” She pointed over her shoulder is an investigator. She did some digging as well as following you. She has had a long conversation with Gloria. You really couldn’t resist revelling in your little scheme. Pillow talk, I think they call it. And Gloria loves money!”

.................Sophie took over. ”I’ve spoken to my lawyer and he thinks I have a very strong civil case against you and I’m going after what’s left after Sally get’s her share. Oh and by the way, the little snogging session you witnessed early on… we rehearsed that a few times, and know what? We both got really into it! Who knew? We can both swing both ways!

................. So John or Ian or Arsehole, whichever you prefer, just before these to fine gentlemen interrupt the proceedings,” She nodded toward the door and Ian saw what was obviously two plain clothed detectives coming in.” Let’s leave you with this thought. In your lonely, cold little cell you can fantasise over what both you wives will be doing to each other.” With that she turned to Sally, placed one hand on the back of her neck and the other hand on her backside and pulled her in tightly, and kissed her long and hard. They both stepped back, turned and left the pub.

.................Once outside the two girls looked at each other, “That was gross. I never want to do that again.”

................. “Me neither,” giggled Sally, but it felt brilliant.”