Lydia relaxed in the bath, closed her eyes and pondered her last ten years. The bath had been dutifully prepared by her husband, James. Bath salts, bubbles and scented candles creating a giddy aroma filling the room. Classical music floated into the bathroom from the bedroom speaker. She was truly being spoilt.  Their tenth anniversary and James was making an enormous effort. ‘At last he is appreciating me for who I am.’ She thought to herself.

Downstairs, James had the dinner in the oven. He placed the crisp, white cloth on the table, smoothing the edges with his hand. Each piece of cutlery was slowly wiped with a cloth and checked for marks before being set down. He visually inspected the table, careful to ensure its perfection.  The final touch, a silver candlestick, a present from their wedding day, in the middle of the table bearing a new candle waiting to be ignited.

James almost skipped as he returned to the kitchen. He took a bottle of their favourite Shiraz, chosen for its depth of flavour – blackberries, chocolate and pepper. The screw top removed he emptied the bottle into a carafe to allow it to breathe, placing it back on the counter-top beside the two, already polished, crystal glasses. He could smell the wine as its essence spilled from its container.

Everything was set. He had rehearsed his speech a thousand times in his head – it was perfect. James wandered through to the dining room. As he approached the speaker to turn it on he shot a glance at the table, a smile escaped from his taut lips. Music on and synced to the bedroom James left for his favourite chair to wait for his wife. He slouched down, arms hanging down the sides of the chair and exhaled. He was ready.

Lydia entered the lounge with an air of both excitement and anticipation. Deliberately she had chosen a figure hugging red dress, stockings and heels. Full make-up and her finest jewellery making herself look both seductive and irresistible at the same time. She wanted this anniversary to be special. James rose, smiling, and led her by the hand to the dining room. Her pulled out her chair, beckoning her to sit.

“I will get you a glass of wine. Dinner is nearly ready.”

“It smells, wonderful. Thank you my darling husband.” Lydia responded, looking towards him with a smile.

“It’s the start of a wonderful night.” Replied James as he walked purposefully to the kitchen, glancing back towards her as he went.

His hand reached into a trouser pocket and retrieved a plastic snap pouch containing a white powder. Carefully the powder was tipped into one of the wine glasses and the empty packet returned to his trouser pocket. James then poured wine from the carafe into each glass, his hand trembling slightly. One of the glasses of wine began to fizz as the powder dissolved. Tonight would be the last time he would have to tolerate her moaning and nagging. Tonight would be an end to the last year of his living hell.

James picked up each glass carefully and went to go through to the dining room. A slight stumble caused him to look down and see an undone shoelace. The glasses were placed gently on the countertop while James tied his lace. He stood, recollected the glasses and proceeded to Lydia, handing her a glass.

He raised his glass high, looked her in the eye and standing beside her, he began his speech,

“A toast. This is our tenth anniversary. When I married you I was the happiest man in the world. I loved you with my very being. We had our ups and downs along the way and the last year has been particularly tough on us. With this evening I intend to change all that. It is a new start. I want to move forward. I refuse to argue with you anymore. Those days are past. From tonight this will be a happy house. It will bring great joy and contentment to all who live in it. My life will once more be complete. Tonight truly is a wonderful celebration. Here’s to the future.” 

His hand moved slowly towards Lydia’s and both smiled broad smiles as the glasses clinked. Each of them raised their glasses and drank a large mouthful of wine. 

“Oh, how lovely. Thank you. And this wine is our favourite. Most definitely, here’s to the future.” replied Lydia.

James moved round the table and took his seat. 

“It will just be just a few minutes.” He smiled waiting for the powder to take effect. He took another mouthful of wine. 

‘Not long now, my dear.’ He thought as he gazed across the table.

His heart was racing, he thought with the excitement. Faster it pounded and faster still. He looked at Lydia and looked at his glass. He was struggling for breath.

“Are you ok?” Asked a concerned Lydia.

James reached for his chest, fists in a ball. He stared at Lydia. Eyes wide. Heart beat furious.

“The wine,” he struggled, “the wine. You have the wrong glass.”

Lydia saw the panic in his face as he clutched his chest tighter still, staring at her, eyes bulging, disbelieving. She saw his face turn a curious scarlet before his head fell to the table, the bang causing it to shudder. His face was motionless, lips slightly parted as a small trickle of silva left his mouth to dampen the table cloth. 

Lydia ran for the phone to call and ambulance. While she waited for its arrival she went into the kitchen to turn off the dinner, it’s smell permeating through to the kitchen. When she pulled open the oven door all she saw was a single ready meal for one.