The caterers repeatedly replenish the buffet and smiling, smartly dressed waiters carry round silver trays with tall champagne flutes balanced on them. Louise wears a black, backless dress, which reveals her supple, unblemished skin. She laughs and beams, not noticing the admiring glances she receives. Many of the men in the room want her, and many of the women want to be just like her. The guests are dressed in black tie or expensive gowns, many dripping in diamonds. They mingle, talk business, gossip, drink and pick at the buffet. Louise stands with a group of guests, listening to idle, mundane chatter and occasionally stealing looks at her husband from across the room. Whenever their eyes meet, they admire each other’s bodies and long to strip each other naked. Michael gestures towards the balcony and nods. ‘Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I’m just going to check in with my husband,’ Louise says, excusing herself. She makes her way through the crowd of guests, smiling and acknowledging familiar faces.
