***
The following morning, I set pancakes in front of my children and slid one across to Martin in the breakfast hall.
“I have a surprise for you,” I told him. “A boat trip. Just us and the kids. A quiet cove.”
My husband looked up, confused, then pleased.
“Consider it booked.”
“Yeah? When did you plan that?” he asked.
“Last night.”
***
Clara arrived late, sunglasses pushed up in her hair, and dropped into the fourth chair with a sigh.
“Emily, coffee. And the list said seven o’clock. It’s already eight.”
I kept cutting Ben’s pancake.
“The list isn’t happening, Clara.”
She laughed, the way people laugh when they’re sure the joke is on you.
“When did you plan that?”
“Martin. Talk to your wife.”
Martin opened his mouth, looked at me, then closed it.
Before he could stumble into an answer, two hotel staff members walked up to our table. One held a key card.
