Signals Mary, well, i call her Mary, concentrated intensely on the messages from her phone, ignoring me and the distractions of the other commuters, as she flirted outrageously with some distant beau. Her fiercely thin face and her steel blue eyes showing delight with each ping, this was a face not used to expression. I was used to seeing her weighed down with imagined worries, work stress or drunk husband. This was very very unusual. What had happened, who had touched her iron heart. I had sat in the same carriage for three years Monday to Friday, but this was new. No longer hiding in the latest hit novel, she giggled, elegant fingers flying over the screen, a laugh, a blush, her style had changed too. She was always smart but now she had elegance, sensuality and looked 10 years younger. I was complete distracted. I wanted to know, who was making her feel like this, making her react like this, it was obvious it was someone, the notifications were a constant heartbeat of my journey. It had started slowly just after Christmas but now it was everyday and it was so obvious, she looked in love and I needed to know. Christmas I love It. It's one of the highlights of my year. I always manage to get two weeks off so that I can spend it with Jackie and the babies. They will be 8, 10 and 13 this year but old habits die hard. Love decorating the house, planning menus and buying presents. It's wonderful having kids they bring such joy. As I get into my forties this feeling just seems to grow, having children was the best thing that ever happened to me. Mary always got off the train at Waterloo, My journey took me to the city and a well paid but ultimately dull job, we rarely got the same train home but this evening I decided to wait for her to see what else I could find out. 'J it's me, just wanted to let you know that I am going to be late home tonight, something has cropped up at work and I need to sort it.' It was lunchtime and Jackie was probably at the gym or shopping with a friend so I left a message. I would call her later. I know she will be home for the kids at 40 after then should be fine. She was always so reliable. I decided to leave at 50 and get down to Waterloo early, I could wait by the platform for Mary to arrive. 5pm came round quickly and I called Jackie to check she was ok. ' Yes it's not a problem, I will give the children some dinner before heading off to yoga. My mum is coming round to keep an eye on them' she said. That's Sorted then. Waterloo station was filling up, school children on their way home from a trip to a museum, shoppers with huge bags filled with shoes and new suits. All mingling with the usual commuters. Some of the usual suspects started to file towards platform 19. Mary was not among them, the first train left without her, so i settled down on a bench where I would be able to get a wide view but not be too obvious. The trains were 30 minutes apart but there was no sign of Mary, it was 7:30 and the station felt like it was winding down. This felt a bit weird not at all exciting. I felt a little down hearted and decided to head off home. I put my headphones on and got on the train, luckily managed to get my preferred aisle seat to stretch out these long legs. Was not disturbed until home. I relieved Jackie's mum and gave the kids a kiss good night. Jackie got home from yoga about an hour later as I was nodding off. As usual I woke early and left the house before anyone else had stirred, found my spot on the platform, right by the doors of my favourite carriage. This was good. i even got favourite seat. Mary got on at Ascot and sat just over the aisle by the window. Her phone ready and waiting for the first ping. This morning she couldn't wait and sent the first one, a smile spread across her face, what was she thinking about? Her phone rang, would she answer? was it him ? 'Hi, how are you feeling this morning' she said and then ' I know me too, it was wonderful though worth ..........' Her eyes sparkled and her smile extended over the whole of her face, I missed the last bit, as the conductor announced the next stop ' ....... Yes please, I would love it ' she said ' How about the Connaught Hotel tomorrow' '10 am is perfect, can't wait. ........ ' 'Love you too' she ended the call. Wow, I had never seen her this happy before, she positively gushed as she ended the call. I could not resist and quickly Googled the Hotel. I thought I had heard of it, 5 miles from Ascot. I couldn't could I? Could I get there, could I get a day off. ? I quickly got through my meetings and began to organise my diary to move things around. The boss was very understanding about a school meeting that I had to attend. My routine the next morning was the same, washed dressed and out early. I was excited, I wanted to find out what was going on, so I got off the train at Ascot and got picked up by a cab. The hotel was a Georgian manor, all sash Windows and Wisteria. Inside was stereotypical country house hotel, log fires, white tablecloths and men in long coats and top hats, breakfast was good. Finished by 9:30 just perfect time to settle down and find Mary, who was she, who had changed her? I didn't have to wait long, Mary walked in, leather boots, tight jeans and a crisp white blouse, she checked in, she was staying but who with. She pulled her case over to the lift and got distracted by the familiar ping from her phone, she called the lift and held the door, waiting. But where was he ? There was no one in reception except staff. No there was some there but it was only a woman going up to her room. No ! No! Mary held the button and opened her arms, the woman flew into them, pushing Mary into the lift, holding her, kissing her, Mary's finger now off the button the door began to close. I could see her, I could see the woman who loved Mary and was loved back. Jackie, my Jackie.