Do you think Chinese, Joe? Doreen tried to get her husband's attention. 'Or what about Turkish, the colours are so vibrant?'
Joe impatiently lifted his head from the newspaper pointedly keeping his index finger on the newspaper to indicate his place. 'We don't need a rug at all, they are a damn nuisance, you are just asking for an accident to happen.'
Doreen gave a silent sigh, believing she could live with a rug without tripping over it. The idea of a rug was a cheaper option to replacing their threadbare carpet. Joe returned to his newspaper making it clear no further conversation was to be encouraged.
Another mountain to climb in order to lead a normal life!
Doreen thought of their early days of marriage. They were the lucky ones to have two rooms to themselves and family and friends had generously discarded items to help them make the rooms a home. Was that really forty years ago?
She could still picture vividly the young couple they had been just 18 and 20 years of age, gazing at the gold wedding rings in the jeweller's window. She had chosen a simple band that had now worn thin with faded engraving.
As their babies arrived life was so busy and Doreen now wondered how they coped with all the highs and lows of a family life. But they had and had enjoyed their family which both sapped their strength and enriched their lives.
By the time Doreen and Joe reached their 40's they had their own house and had enjoyed refurbishing it and landscaping the garden. This was a time when Joe showed pleasure with his home, family and hobbies, now Doreen was trying hard to remember when it had all changed and why.
They used to have lovely holidays on the Isle of Wight at first camping when the children were young and later staying at the Glen Eagles Hotel, where they were known as the friendly couple and always received a good service.
Her escape to past pleasant times was suddenly interrupted by a shrill ring from the telephone. As always it was Doreen's job to respond to the call, sometimes she would leave it to the last minute just to be awkward, she enjoyed that game. It infuriated Joe!
'It's Margaret Joe, she and Eddie would like to chat to us on Skype she sounds excited'.
Once settled, Margaret began. She had found a wonderful cruise advertised at a ridiculously discounted price, she and Eddie would be delighted if they would travel with them. The ports of call were amazing, it would be a dream holiday'.
It took two seconds for Joe to agree and Doreen was even quicker than that! This was the affect Margaret had on Joe. She could make him dance and sing.
Now on the cruise their lives were indeed a dream. Even sailing across the Bay of Biscay during a thunderstorm could not dilute their enthusiasm. When the four friends discovered all doors to the outer decks were locked to keep passengers safe from the 20ft waves crashing against the ship's hull, they found their way to the bar and enjoyed a game of Bridge and comfortable chatter.
They were approaching the pretty island of Madeira and looking forward to going ashore. The sea and sky was truly blue and as Doreen relaxed on a lounger with warm sun rays rejuvenating her body she reflected on her life's journey with her husband. She didn't mind the destination she had reached. As she watched Margaret bring Joe back to life she knew it was a game. Margaret enjoyed the power she had for brief periods of time, and wouldn't be able to sustain these flirtations permanently. Joe's strong honest principles meant he would never contemplate leaving his wife and family, it would never happen.
And what of Eddie? Dear Eddie who loved his wife and his lifelong hobby of bird watching with equal devotion and passion.
Could Margaret and Joe be described as charlatans? Someone who falsely claims to have special skills or expertise. An imposter. Very loosely yes. Both Margaret and Joe were different people when together treading on an exciting fantasy cloud.
Eddie too travelled on a fantasy cloud of unawareness. And Doreen reaped the benefits! She had her happy funny husband back.
As Doreen contentedly turned another page of her book she reflected that if she had the same powers of persuasion as Margaret, at this very moment they would be in CarpetRight choosing a rug!