Coming to HER SENSES

She'd missed telltale signs but Paige could finally see her husband for what he was

- Christine Sutton

Dropping the box of lenses into her bag, Paige grinned. 'Funny, the thought of sticking something in my eyes always made me cringe before, but then I hit 50 and thought, right, time to try. And not just contacts. I collected my hearing aids this morning too.'

The assistant tilted her head. 'Well, you'd never know. Very discreet. Good luck with these, Mrs Lane. Whenever you need more, just pop in.'

Paige stepped on to the street. She hadn't had a sight test for years and the difference was striking. Colours brighter, faces more distinct. And not having her glasses on opened up her peripheral vision. Combined with the hearing aids, it was almost sensory overload!

'Paige, is that you?'

Caroline, her neighbour from a few doors down, was fast approaching.

'Wow, love the new look – no glasses!'

Paige jerked her thumb at the optician's. 'I finally took the plunge and got contacts.'

'Dougie won't recognise you. How is he, after the other night? He got such a soaking.'

Paige shook her head. 'The other night?'

'At the golf club. It was tipping it down when we all left. When he saw Julia's car had a flat tyre, Dougie didn't hesitate, straight in there, getting the jack from the boot...'

Paige felt a glow of pride.