” Sarah practically purred which, of course, caused poor Phillip to go beetroot coloured again. Jess looked at us both questioningly; I could see wh...at was going through her mind but I also knew she would figure it out in time. “Yes well, since you two got Alice so worked up this morning she has been twice as difficult as usual. I have been trying to get her out of there for nearly two hours. She is drinking again and won’t leave unless I promise her.....well unless I promise her something.” He. I didn’t mean to make you worry. I was being silly and I got carried away.”Dad nodded and smiled at me with genuine warmth. “You know what to do when you want to go out with boys, don’t you?” he asked in a gentle voice.“Yes I do, Dad. I promise I’ll do the right thing.”Dad sighed and looked at Liz, who had been sitting quietly through all of that. “So, how is our favorite daughter today? Did you have a good time at the movies?”I glared at Dad. That was supposed to be Mum’s joke to call Liz her. Jack, my dear Jack, was one of them. It didn’t slow him down much; he was still very good in bed, adventurous, fun to be with, good company and strict. After that first night we met in the ABS; I think it was the second actual ‘date’, he set a few ground rules. In the end he said, “I just want you to understand that, if it’s necessary, I will punish you.” That sort of sent a little chill through me. I was forty-eight at the time, hadn’t had anyone blister my backside in maybe six or eight. Or, at least that’s what she told herself. The truth of the matter was he was incredibly sexy for a man in his mid-forties. Once again she found her eyes drawn to the mat of dark brown hair peeking out from above the buttons of his black dress shirt. A few silver strands taunted her. She knew it wouldn’t take many more drinks before she would be tangling her fingers in the strands. ‘I think we’re done here?’ Jack looked questioningly at Emma as he spoke to the bartender. At Emma’s nod, Jack.