Frank will think it’s mad – I know that – because we don’t have much money. However, I do have a small amount squirrelled away. Since his failed business ventures I’ve had to, for my own sanity.
My just-in-case fund, is how I’ve always thought ofit. But never mind just-in-case. We are empty-nesters – finally! – and on top of that, Frank turns fifty next month. He’s already announced that he doesn’t want to make a big deal of it as he hates any kind of fuss. But this won’t be ‘fuss’. It’ll be fun – something just for us. By God, after raising three kids we deserve it.
My heart quickens as I start to browse hotels and apartments. The choice is dizzying and I’m so out of practice at this, I’m not sure how to narrow things down. When the kids were old enough to be left for a night, Frank and I would manage the occasional overnighter, staying with friends in Glasgow. But we’ve never been away together to a hotel without Eddie and the girls. We didn’t even take them abroad – apart from the occasional trip to visit their Portuguese grandparents, now long gone. Calum and Raj’s families seemed to be forever nipping off to Greece or Italy or Majorca, but we could never afford that.
At just gone one a.m. I send a message to Dev, Frank’s mate, who owns the garage where he works.
Hey Dev, could you manage without Frank for a few days in early Feb? It’s his 50th. Thinking of taking him away as a surprise.
Of course I don’t expect a reply until morning. I was too excited to wait. But then to my surprise, when I look again there’s a message.
No probs,Dev has written.Can get one of the lads to do extra if I need it.His sons, he means. Hard-grafting boys who are always willing to pitch in.
Excitement flurries in my chest as I browse accommodation again, plus flights, and reply to Dev.
Great, thanks so much!
Going anywhere nice?
Thinking Paris but please don’t mention it to Frank.
Excellent idea! Not a word, I promise.
The last time we had an overnighter, we came home to find Bella, Ana and Eddie suspiciously cheery and happy to see us. And we soon noticed that things had been repositioned in odd places. Lamps, framed photos,sofa– all having clearly been ‘put back’. And things are only ‘put back’ when an illicit party has happened. On top of that, my beautiful apricot ‘Bathsheba’ climbing rose was splattered in vomit and the living room curtain rail had been pulled down.
‘It just fell!’ Ana protested, while her big sister Bella – who’s never been comfortable with subterfuge – squirmed in the background.
There’ll be none of that this time, I reflect as I find what appears to be the perfect little hotel. Not too pricey, butsoParisian with curly wrought-iron balconies and blue and white striped awnings in a beautiful tree-lined street. I book it, plus our flights, and then go back to the hotel’s website to gaze at it some more. I’m so engrossed that I don’t hear Frank coming into the room.
‘Hey, how come you’re up?’
‘Oh!’ I try to hide the screen with splayed hands. ‘I couldn’t sleep so I thought I might as well come downstairs. Didn’t want to disturb you.’
Looking bemused, Frank runs a hand back over his mussed-up hair and steps closer. ‘You up to something there, honey?’
‘Oh, Frank …’ I shake my head and laugh, knowingthere’s no point in trying to keep it secret. Because his gaze is on my screen now and he can see exactly what I’ve been looking at.
‘What’s this?’
‘Oh God,’ I groan. ‘It was supposed to be a surprise for your birthday!’
‘What?’ He bends slightly and blinks at the screen. ‘Where’s this?’
‘Paris,’ I reply.
‘Paris?’
‘Yes, love,’ I say with a resigned smile.
A pause. ‘You mean,we’regoing to Paris? You and me?’
‘Yes, darling. You and me!’
‘But … can we afford that?’
‘I can, Frank. I’ve booked it. We’re going away for five days—’
‘Five days in Paris? I’d love that. You know I would. I’ve always wanted to go there—’
