The weeks passed by, and before I knew it we had reached the October half-term break. I was relieved to finally have a week off work. While some of the classes I was teaching were enjoyable - year 7 were just so infectious in their naive enthusiasm, and year 12 were quite profound in some of their observations on Shakespeare and Christina Rossetti's poetry - the others were becoming less and less pleasant.

My year 8 class now had zero regard for my authority and were largely uncontrollable; not one lesson went by without me doling out at least one detention for unruly behaviour (not that the offending parties would ever turn up for these detentions!). As for my GCSE classes, despite them both being academically astute, neither seemed to be fully engaged with my lessons. I found it exasperating trying to stimulate discussion; they simply weren't interested. I'd never had this trouble in my teaching before, but I was hitting a brick wall now. However, I was hopeful that the half-term break would provide a bit of respite from my classroom struggles and I could reset things after we reconvened.

During this time, mine and Tessa's relationship remained smooth sailing, at least for the most part. I did try on multiple occasions to bring up my questions regarding our engagement photos, but each time she would shut it down by saying that I was being silly. I would try and pursue the discussion further, feeling deep down that there was something I wasn't being told, but each time she would sigh and ask me to drop it. And every time she told me to "drop it", I did...until I would bring it up again later on. I have no idea how many times exactly I initiated this conversation, probing from a different angle each time, but it must have been at least 5 times, before she told me rather angrily to never start this discussion again. She insisted that she had proposed to me and there was categorically nothing else to discuss. From that point on, I never ventured near the topic again...but that didn't diminish my doubt on the veracity of her convictions.

I did however ask about the photos she had taken of me holding the glass of wine with varying amounts of clothes on. She claimed that she found the days when she was not working to be long and boring, and therefore wanted something she could use to, in her words, "pass the time." As much as I found that an odd reason for the pictures, her eyes looked straight into mine as she gave this explanation and they told me that she was being earnest. Given this supposed sincerity, I felt in no position to deprive my wife of that pleasure. I trusted her, and if she was only using those pictures for her personal pleasure, I was happy to oblige. Plus, I must admit, it was thrilling posing for those photos. I felt sexy...liberated...like a model. I posed for more photos on several further occasions after that first instance. It was becoming a routine for us both.

Other than these photo shoots, we also got into other regular routines. We began attending the gym every Monday and Thursday evening, and went for a run together every Wednesday evening. On Tuesdays, Tessa would spend the evenings out (she never did tell me where she was going), but I was quietly pleased, as this gave me a chance to watch more episodes of 'Pretty Little Liars'. As much as I adored my wife, it was nice to spend some time alone.

We would usually go out on a Friday evening with a group of girlfriends. There was a group of 6 of us - Jane, Annabel, Philippa and Sue, plus Tessa and myself - who would have drinks at our local bar. It did strike me that these were Tessa's friends more than my own, as they had all known each other since their schooldays. They did treat me like one of their own, and it was easy to have conversation and laughs with them, but I still always felt like the outsider of the group. I often wondered why I had no friends other than the ones I met through Tessa. Surely I must have my own group of friends? Ones I had stayed in touch with since school or university? But apparently not.

I didn't mind this too much, but it was another element of my current predicament which rang some alarm bells in my mind. I mainly found comfort in the fact that my family were nearby, and I got to see them basically every weekend as we ate there for Sunday lunch. Tessa would come with me every other weekend. We'd be joined at mum and dad's by my older sister, her husband and their son. All the time we spoke over lunch, they'd refer to me as Denise and would often reminisce on mine and my sister's upbringing. But, just like when Tessa spoke about our relationship when she showed me our photo album, I had no concrete memories of what they spoke about. This upset me more and more, but I tried not to let on. I just felt like there was something wrong with me and that I shouldn't burden everyone else with it. Why should their fun and memories be spoiled by my ignorance?

Tessa's family lived further away, so we didn't see them as regularly as we did my family. But it was Tessa's grandmother's 85th birthday during that half-term and a party had been arranged to celebrate it. We were going to spend a few days up with her family.

We drove up late on the Saturday night to make sure we were there on time for the party the following day. We stayed at a lovely little B&B which was about a 10 minute drive from Tessa's parent's house, where the party was being held. Tessa explained that we would have stayed at her parent's house ordinarily, but other relatives from out-of-town were staying there already. It would be better for us in the B&B as we'd have more space to ourselves.

We were both knackered when we arrived and fell asleep almost immediately. Our alarm went off at 8am the next day. We had a lovely cooked breakfast, and then got ready to go to the party. We showered in turn, Tessa going first, and then got dressed together in the bedroom. I finished showering and entered the room just as Tessa was pulling on her tights. She was wearing a black thong under these, and matching bra.

"I've got your clothes out for you, babe", she said. "Put on your underwear, then we can do each other's makeup."

I pulled up the red Victoria's Secret thong that had been laid on the bed first, then put on the matching push-up bra. Tessa did my makeup first, and then I returned the compliment. We finished getting ready by completing our outfits. Tessa's consisted of a glittery blue mini skirt and a black roll neck sweater. She effortlessly maintained the balance between cute, sexy, and appropriate for a family gathering. The outfit Tessa had laid out for me was a thick strap red bodycon mini dress. I put it on and took a look in the mirror. Tessa could tell from my face that something was worrying me.

"You ok?" she asked, approaching me as she put in her earrings.

"Um, don't you think this is a little...um...revealing?" I asked her. The dress was stunning, but it was incredibly short and also wasn't afraid to show off my cleavage. It didn't seem appropriate for meeting Tessa's family.

"Don't be daft! You look great." She stroked my arm, and suddenly I was reassured.

"Come on, we better get going. We're already running late."

We locked up the room, ready to return later tonight, and got in the car to head to the party.

We were the last to arrive. It was Tessa's dad who greeted us at the front door. I say "greeted": he gave Tessa a hug, but for some reason was scowling at me after Tessa had walked on into the house first. I didn't know whether I should shake his hand, maybe give him a hug, or what, but I got my answer when he walked away without even returning my awkward "hello".

I won't recount the entire party, as it was a particularly unpleasant afternoon for me. For a reason unknown to myself at the time, all of the adults in attendance - namely, all of Tessa's direct relatives - were incredibly hostile. They were all giving me the side-eye and I felt as though they were constantly gossiping behind my back when they thought I was out of earshot.

I'm pretty certain I heard Tessa's dad ask her at one point: "what is she doing here? I thought you had broken up with her for good this time." I didn't catch what Tessa said in return. Obviously not wanting to make a scene at the party, I made a mental note to bring this up with Tessa later. What I thought her dad had said had upset me.

Aside from Tessa's dad, I was also ignored, bar the obligatory introductory conversations, by her mum, brother, grandmother, grandfather and several cousins. I felt so isolated that I began to think that even her parent's dog would hate me (luckily he didn't - Rufus was a lovely little Cockapoo puppy who was constantly jumping onto my lap for cuddles).

The only people who seemed okay with my presence there - other than Tessa, of course - was her sister-in-law, Sue and her two children: Max (7) and Poppy (9). Sue and I struck up a conversation, and it transpired that she too had been made to feel unwelcome, but, like me, had no idea why that was. She, however, had been bold enough to broach the subject immediately with her husband, who audibly told her to not make a fuss and to sit quietly with me in the corner. From that point on, she followed those instructions. And I was happy to stay there with her.

As Sue and I talked, the conversation flowed naturally. Neither of us had met each other before, as far as either of us could recall, but by the end of the party it felt as though we were life-long friends. We even promised to stay in touch on a more regular basis, exchanging phone numbers. It's funny how outcasts can be brought close together!

It was a relief to have Sue for company at the party, otherwise it would have been intolerable. And, I must admit, there was something about Sue which I found really attractive. I know I shouldn't be having these thoughts, being married and all, but I couldn't help it. She wasn't as naturally beautiful as Tessa, not by a long shot, but there was an undeniable chemistry that sparked between us. She was in great shape for a mum of two young children. I didn't believe her when she told me she was 35-years-old as I would have pegged her as being around my age. Her husband, Tessa's brother, was 32, but he looked much older than Sue. I found myself admiring her body, which I internally chastised myself for doing, but I couldn't help myself. She was wearing a beautiful blue floral summer dress that displayed a modest amount of cleavage: she was dressed more conservatively than I, for sure, but was nevertheless still sexy. I knew I shouldn't be admiring her in this way, but I simply couldn't stop my thoughts from returning to her body. How I maintained normal and effortless conversation with her the entire time, I do not know, but somehow I managed.

The party drew to a close pretty early (Tessa's grandma, being 85, wasn't one to party late into the night) so we said our goodbyes around 6pm and left. Well, I say "we" said our goodbyes: Tessa did, but I only really said goodbye to Sue, Poppy, Max and Rufus. I didn't feel obliged to commit to false niceties with the rest of them when they had all been so overtly rude to me. I was reluctant to leave Sue, as I was having a great time with her, but I was certain we'd see each other again soon. I'd never experienced such instant friendship like that before...it was like we had known each other for years.

With nothing else to do, we headed straight back to the B&B. We got in, and as soon as Tessa locked our door I said: "why were all your family so rude to me?" My voice perfectly conveyed my irritation and hurt.

"What do you mean?" she replied, looking nonplussed. She didn't even look at me as she spoke, simply putting the room keys on the bedside table and beginning to take off her earrings.

"Are you being serious? Everyone blanked me. And Sue, for that matter, the entire time we were there. Why was that?"

She sighed. "Babe, you know why."

I most certainly did not know why. "I beg your pardon."

"I don't want to get angry with you Denise, but my family's reactions today were perfectly reasonable given what you and Sue did."

I was flummoxed. Tessa approached me and put her hands on my hips. She was looking straight at me when she said: "Look, let's not dredge up the past. We're past all of that now, and our relationship has never been stronger. Don't worry about how they all reacted today. I love you, babe."

I instantly stopped fretting over the negative reactions I had received at the party and what it all meant.

She put her hands on my cheeks and pulled me in for a kiss.

"Now", she said, withdrawing from me, "I think this place is perfect for one of our little photo shoots, don't you? Go over by the window and face out into the night."

I followed my orders and walked to the bedroom room. The curtains were undrawn. I placed my palms face down on the window sill and then Tessa took her photo.

"Beautiful. Same again, but let's take that dress off you."

She came over, gave my bottom a cheeky pinch through my dress, then helped it up and over my head. Now in just my red bra and thong, I reconvened my pose. She also photographed me by the window with my head rested on my fist, with my head rested on the palms of my hands, and with me facing into the bedroom with one leg bent and my arms splayed out along the windowsill. I took up each pose exactly as she directed and without hesitation.

I was increasingly enjoying being Tessa's model. I no longer was concerned why it was always me and never her being photographed. Perhaps I was just flattered by her constant compliments calling me "gorgeous", "beautiful" and "sexy", amongst other pleasurable things. But I could never refuse to do as told by Tessa, and I didn't want to refuse, either.

After she had all the photos that she wanted of me by the window, Tessa put her phone down and came up to me. We started making out, hands roaming over one another's bodies. I lifted her jumper off her body and she wiggled out of her skirt. Still standing, I pressed her back to me and reached into her tights and panties. I stroked her cunt with my two forefingers and began to probe. Admittedly, I still wasn't as adept at pleasuring my wife as she seemed to be with me, but I was getting better. She gyrated against my body as I quickened my pace. She came and after I removed my fingers she licked them clean.

We made our way over to the bed and proceeded to have the best sex. The best part for me was when Tessa pulled out a strap-on from her bag. She pulled it up over her panties and told me to get on all fours. She took up position to my rear and removed my thong. The phallus made its way into my anus, and she delicately placed her hands on my hips. She began working the thing back and forth, gaining pace and rhythm as she did so. Getting over the initial sensation of penetration, I too began to thrust my backside eagerly backwards to absorb as much of the dildo as I could. Tessa slowed at one point and leaned over so that she was enveloping me (the object was still inside me as she did this). She kissed my back as she removed my bra, leaving me completely naked. She kept her body pressed tightly against mine, her hands now firmly gripping my tits, as she recommenced fucking me. Her movement was less vigorous now, more deliberate and sensual. She kept going until I orgasmed, indicated by my high-pitched moan of ecstasy, and then removed herself and the object from me.

I flopped down onto the bed completely exhausted. She took off the strap-on then lay by me. I offered to return the compliment, but Tessa insisted that was enough excitement for one night. Instead, she removed her underwear so that we were both equally naked, and we lay there, cuddling in blissful silence.

It had been a weird day. But at least I had made a new friend in Sue, and the sex with my wife had been glorious distraction. I went to sleep, totally and utterly infatuated with my gorgeous wife...but, that night, my dreams turned to Sue!