Questions on both home lives

Laura is not looking for an affair. It just happens. She is not dissatisfied with her marriage or her life, which is rather routine and boring.
In the beginning when Laura is musing over the situation, she says she does love her husband, they have a good marriage, and they will always be married. In fact, her musing takes the form of a monologue addressed to her husband, trying to understand how the romance happened. Alec is the one who says he wants to see her again. I think she was drawn in almost against her will. Laura does try tearfully to fight the attraction when Alec declares that he is in love with her. It is she who seems to feel guilt. Alec doesn't seem to have any. It is difficult to say what Alec's motivation is, but he is definitely the aggressor.
Laura's husband seems not to take much notice of her thoughts and opinions. Indeed, he seems to take her for granted. When she tells her husband about meeting a 'nice man' and that she went to a movie with him, her husband does not disapprove. Laura asks her husband if they might invite Alec to dinner. I think it is her way to try to bring Alec into her home so he can see she is happily married, and she will be safe from the budding attraction. It is only at the end that her husband seems to understand what happened.




"..sure you won't change your mind? Why, is there something wrong with the one I have?"

Alex does not have a daughter, he has two young boys. Laura has a son and a daughter.

I agree that Laura begins the relationship with trepidation, she tries on a couple occasions to break things off, but I think it is the idea of something new & different that keeps her attracted to Alex. Her life appears quite pedestrian, same old routine, same gossipy neighbours etc. Just look at how carefree she laughs and how she acts with Alex compared to Fred. She knows it cannot last, that once they admit their love, it is over. I guess that is why the film has the title it does, it fits!