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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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When I woke up the next morning, the day of the swap, Sam was already up. When I got downstairs, she was on the computer typing.
"Morning, my love. Will you read this for me please?"
"Morning, Sam. Yes, of course."
I went over and read a letter that was on the screen.
'Dear Friend and Neighbour. Over the past few weeks, you may have noticed some comings and goings between Phil and my house and Sue and Mike's at No. 31. To stop any gossip and false rumours, we thought we would tell you the truth. As from today, we are swapping partners, permanently, so Phil will move in with Sue at No. 31 and Mike will move in with me at No. 17.
This swap is amicable, and we remain friends.
You may not approve of what we are doing, but we hope you will respect our decision and that you will continue to speak to us all when we see each other in the Close.
Sue, Sam, Mike & Phil'
"Wow. Great idea but I bet that will cause some jaws to drop open when they read this."
"Probably, but at least they know the truth and won't be guessing. While I print these and deliver them, will you prepare breakfast please?"
"Of course."
Sam printed off enough letters for our part of the Close and went out and delivered them, and I started breakfast. Sam was back ten minutes later, and breakfast was well on the way. She came up to me while I was cooking and kissed me, "Thank you, my darling, " she said.
"You're welcome. Your last chance to enjoy one of my breakfasts."
"Yes it is," she paused a moment before going on, "Phil, I do still love you and I always will, but I know what we are doing is the right thing, Mike and I are more suited to each other as you and Sue are, but I don't regret spending the last 35 years with you. I hope that Sue can give you what you need."
"Thanks, Sam. I don't regret it either. I am sorry if my affair hurt you, I never wanted that, and I can assure you that that was the first time I cheated on you."
"I know you have never cheated before although you had good reason to. I know you wanted me to be naughtier, but it just wasn't me, I'm afraid. I guess the naughtiest I have been is during these last few months having my affair with Mike, even though you knew about it."
"Did you know I saw you kiss him one morning as you left for work?"
"God, no, I didn't. Maybe that is the naughtiest I have been then, and I was caught out?"
"Yes, you were. I wonder if any other neighbours saw it?"
"Mmmm. That does send a tingle through my body."
"See. Naughty can be fun."
"Maybe. I will tell you this, Phil. I don't want a divorce, and I will continue to wear your rings, and if asked, I will say that Mike is my boyfriend but that I'm married to you."
"Thank you, Sam, and I will do the same." I then kissed Sam.
After breakfast, I called Sue to see when they would be ready to start to move things over. We agreed to start in an hour. In the meantime, I started packing my clothes. We knew that some things, like the contents of the garage, might take a few weeks to sort out but we wanted as much as possible done today. Clothes were first and then other personal contents as Mike, and I walked across the Close with bags and cases. The women stayed inside to unpack and put away for us.
By lunchtime, most of the things had been moved, and the cars moved around on the drives. On one of my trips, I did see a neighbour come out of their house. I had often spoken to him in the past, not in depth but just to pass the time of the day and talk about the weather, but he came over to me. As he approached, he put his thumb up and when he got to me said, "Well done. That letter was a bit of a shock to us but if that's what you all want, then good luck to you."
"Thanks," I replied.
"We had seen some activity but never put 2 and 2 together. It must have been a difficult decision?"
"Not really. When Sam discovered that Sue and I were having an affair, she and Mike soon got together, and it was soon obvious that we were both more suited to each other's partners. It was Sam who then suggested the swap."
"Well if you don't mind me saying, they are both beautiful women, so neither Mike or you lose out."
"No, we certainly don't."
He then went back to his car and carried on as usual. It was good that the reaction was positive. I told the others of the conversation, and they were also pleased it had gone well, although we expected some negativity in time.
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