Did Fred know?

Yes, of course he did. He set it all up.

It started when Alec came to Fred for a loan. Alec's wife Madeleine, small and dark, had run up some horrendous bills at the milliner's and the current account was looking rather flat. As they were both Freemasons Alec imagined that Fred would be happy to help a brother out. Alec was right, but there were some unexpected conditions.

The Jesson marriage was getting pretty boring for Fred. Laura, who had been a bit of a firecracker in their early married days, had cooled off after Bobby and Disappearing Margaret were born. Despite appearances, Fred wanted more from life than a pipe, slippers and a crossword he couldn't finish. He wanted adventure, and when Alec Harvey asked him for £100 to tide him over until Christmas he put a proposition to him.

Fred knew Laura's routine pretty well. He'd previously engaged a private detective to follow her, hoping to catch her out in some indiscretion, but it seemed that Laura was every bit as dull outside the house as in. Even the fleshpots of Milford and its cinemas could not tempt her to anything more rash than tea at the Kardoma Cafe and a giggle at the string quartet. Not the stuff to feed her Flames of Passion - no, not at all.

So Fred bought Alec a whisky and explained how he would earn his money. 'Putting it bluntly, Alec old chap, I want you to seduce her. And I want details, mind. Complete and precise details.'
'You want me to set her up to be blackmailed?' Alec was aghast. 'Your own wife?'
'Do you want the money, or not?'
'Yes, but--'
'Then show her a good time. Keep records. Look, here's ten pounds to get you going. You'll have the rest when you deliver the goods. All the details, mind. Don't try to short-change me, or I'll report you to the BMA. You'll be struck off for sure.'

Alec agreed. He had little choice. The hat-makers were threatening him with the bailiffs.

Their sad, sordid little affair followed its sad, sordid little course. And then Fred had her! He had her twice! Not only was she laden with guilt - and Bobby's accident helped no end with this - but Laura's inner goddess had been roused as it had not been for many years.

And when Fred suggested they join a swingers' club, Laura had to say yes. And anyway - perhaps they would meet another nice couple like Alec and Madeleine...