Bob and Carol and Gemma and Alice?

"Well Carol. We had to talk it through, and we came up with a way of helping ourselves."

No!

"It was after we had watched a television program. I had an idea and Alan went along with it."

No! No!

"Some people might think it a little unconventional but, well, in the privacy of our own home, as I said we came up an idea, it doesn't affect other people and it works for us."

No!!! Surely not. This was private, not for sharing. Not even with our nearest friends. Surely Gemma wasn't going to tell Carol about this, about our secret. I looked straight at her, screaming 'no' with my eyes.

"Alan, I think this may be a good idea. To tell Carol at least, Bob won't be here for quite a while yet. She can keep a secret, I trust her. And if it helps her to realise that someone like us can find a way through all the problems, well, I think we're obliged to help. How about it?"

I sat and thought about it. Rather stunned. It was between Gemma and me. It was private, man-and-wife stuff, not for public consumption. Gemma had a point, I wanted to help Bob and Carol but was this the only way? Would it really help? I would be revealing all to Carol, maybe not to Bob, how would she react? On the other hand I had to admit that in a way I was rather thrilled by the thought of sharing it with another person apart from Gemma. Maybe I could do it.

"Alan, you can do it. Yes you can. Shall I tell Carol, do you want to be here when I do or would you rather go? You could go sort some stuff in the garden."

Carol had recovered from her distress to some extent while we were discussing this. She looked across at me, then at Gemma, puzzled.

"Look, you two, I don't want to cause even more problems. I mean, whatever Gemma is on about, Alan, if you're not happy about it...."

"Alan, go on. I'm sure it will help, and I'm also sure you'd really like to. I'll help. You go on upstairs and make a start, I'll come and help in a minute. I really think it would be better to show Carol, not just to tell her. Please."