Tom sat on the park bench and watched his wife queuing at the ice cream stall. They were both hitting 40 this year and he couldn't help ruminate on the nature of his relationship as they planted their feet firmly in middle age. He loved her, no doubt about that but did he desire her? Yes and no. They still had sex and whilst infrequent it was always good and sometimes even mildly adventurous straying into the odd bout of nipple clamps, spanking or tying up once a year or so. It was different to the heady days of their youth when she had been tall, slim and beautiful. These days she was to be frank, fat, her fair skin starting to show signs of age as well as the grey hair showing at the roots of her raven hair. Her breasts had gone from generous to massive and lost the firmness of their former glory but he still adored them. Her clothes were also chosen for comfort over style, baggy jumpers, cheap jeans and flat shoes had taken the place of the short skirts, low cut tops and high heels she'd favoured when they first met. Definitely a body showing the effects of child birth, comfort and time but sex in a relationship so long established was more about connecting to the person you loved than raw lust... but... still... it would be nice if she...

Tom was snapped from his musings by somebody coughing gently. Slightly startled he looked over to see a well dressed elderly gentleman standing besides him. The man wore crisply ironed beige slacks, a salmon pink shirt covered by a navy blazer with a cream hanky in the breast pocket. His face was clean shaven and his eyes were bright and pale grey, he wore an open and friendly expression and his voice when he spoke was soft and calming.

"Do you mind if I sit beside you?" he asked

Shaking his head from its previous musings he stuttered out "Er, yes, sorry, help yourself".

"Thank you" said the gent as he meticulously sat down next to Tom. "I couldn't help but notice you staring at the woman over there. Your wife perhaps?"

Not being one for conversation with random strangers Tom braced himself and put on his social face. "The one with the dark hair and purple jumper, yes, we've been together a long time now."

"Splendid! I do so love to see a committed couple. You are right, love making is about so much more than physical beauty."

"What? I didn't say... was I talking out loud?"

The old man ignored the question "It is a pity that time and life take such a toll on beauty. I mean its very selfish of us men to be so preoccupied with it but I can't help think it's ingrained in us somewhere, don't you agree?" Tom couldn't respond before he continued "You know what? I like you, honest, that's what you are, honest and loving. I have something for you." He reached into his top pocket. Tom was still struggling to find words as this charismatic old man swept him along.

The old man took Tom by the wrist, turned his palm up, pushed something into it and closed his fingers around it. The gesture felt familiar to Tom and his mind was filled by memories of his grandmother giving him spending money like it was a grand and slightly naughty action. He looked up into the pale grey eyes of the old man and he had that same conspiratorial look he remembered from his child hood and he lifted his finger to his lips and made a shushing noise.

As the old man sat back and looked about Tom opened his hand and there was a shiny silver coin in it. the side facing him was ornately patterned with a maze at the centre of which was a heart. He turned the coin over and there was a woman's face in profile. At first he thought nothing of this until he recognised the woman. It was Sarah, his wife. A shot of panic and anger shot through him. What was this? What game was this old man trying to play? He was about to stand and confront the man but at the moment his muscles began the the motion of lifting him to his feet the old man gently touched his knee and all was calm again and he sagged as his fury left him. Tom looked up as the old man spoke, not looking at Tom but at Sarah now choosing her flavours.

"That is a wishing coin. like the story of the queens nose you rub Sarah's face on the coin and make a wish. It can only affect her and only you can wish on it. Whilst you still love her you can use it many times though it may need a while to recharge or not at all. At any time you can put it away and never use it again, remember that." Tom was about to speak "Ah, I don't expect you to believe me and we are running out of time." He nodded to Sarah and Tom could see her handing over cash two cones in hand. "Go ahead, try it. Change one thing at a time, what will be first? Why not be a little selfish?"