The full-length mirror was just in front of them and Jamie looked up, watching himself fuck this woman he loved, the whole world outside this act of desire disappearing. Kirsty looked at him over her shoulder with an expression of pure lust and he held her by her hips as she tilted her body so his cock struck the sweet spot inside her. He pushed harder, deeper, and looked into the mirror at Kirsty with her eyes squeezed tight, hardly aware of how noisy they were being and not caring anyway. Right now, in this moment, life was the best it had ever been, would ever be.

‘Ah, fucking hell.’ Kirsty shouted as she came, and a moment later, Jamie cried out too. Then they collapsed together in a damp heap, short of breath.

Kirsty ran a finger down Jamie’s chest to his belly button. ‘I love you,’ she said.

‘And I love you.’ He kissed her again. She tasted of ginger. ‘I’ll have to write Mary a thank you note.’

Kirsty tutted. ‘Like I said, I would have felt better anyway.’

Jamie opened the front door cautiously, worried that there might be another rat lying there. Thankfully, the hall was free of dead rodents.

He checked the post (junk mail and bills, as per usual) then went out to his car. Chris was just about to get into his car, and Jamie said, ‘Good morning’ cheerfully. He was aware that he had a big grin on his face. Chris looked him up and down and raised an eyebrow.

‘I was going to come up and see you later,’ he said.

‘Really?’

‘Yes. Do you remember I told you I was into go-karting? I was going to go down to the track this Sunday and have a go. I wondered if you and Kirsty and your friends fancied coming along.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘It’s a great laugh. You’d really enjoy it. And I think your mate Paul would like it too.’

‘OK. I’ll ask him.’

‘And his girlfriend.’

‘What, Heather? She’s not his girlfriend.’

‘Whatever. Ask them all. The track’s near Orpington. In fact, there are a couple of tracks – one for beginners, one for more experienced karters. I guarantee you’ll have a good time.’

Jamie nodded. ‘OK, it sounds good. I’ll ring Paul and Heather and let you know tonight.’

Chris opened his car door. ‘Nice one.’

Jamie watched him drive off up the road. He was happy – truly happy. And what better way of spending a summer Sunday than going out with a group of friends and doing something you’d never done before? He was sure Paul and Heather would be interested. And Kirsty too.

He got into his car and wound down the window. As he drove to work he forgot all about rats and hoaxes. He turned up the radio and sang along.

Chapter Seven

Seven