Vesna McMaster - Ocean View

‘I’ll book it in tentatively.’

‘There’s no point beating around the bush. There no other time. Either we do it then or we don’t do it at all.’

She turns aside and mutters: ‘Maybe we won’t’.

‘What?’

‘Nothing. So you’re OK with the ocean view room?’

‘Uh huh. No point going to the seaside and looking out onto a car park.’

‘No point getting married and having the sex life of a fossil but some people still do it.’

‘What?’

‘I said a cark park would be awful, dear. We’ll go and see Aunt Rachel while we’re up there, yeah?’

‘That old bat? I’d rather not.’

‘I’ve already texted her so it’s a done deal. Who knows how long she’s going to be around for. Either we do it then or we might not do it at all, in the words of a great man.’

He raises an eyebrow, and drew breath to reply, but the moment’s narcissistic hesitation had cost him the opportunity.

‘Also I’ll be popping over to Simon’s to drop off some files.’

‘What’s wrong with the courier?’

‘Nothing, it’s a convenient opportunity to go over them with him, seeing as we’re there anyway.’

‘It’s meant to be a holiday.’

‘I noticed there’s a new fishing tackle store opened down the road. You could have a look in there in the meantime.’

‘Hmm. Maybe.’

‘I might have to work for a while, in fact. There’s a deadline coming up.’

‘Seriously? It’ll be impossible with all the family who’ll be dropping by. Really noisy.’

‘Oh it’s OK, I’ll work at Simon’s. You can have a good time with your family.’

‘The amount of time you and Simon spend on that project one would think you’re having an affair.’

He laughs.

‘Just go fish, darling.’ She finalises the booking with a grim smile.