Anna was out of the Tube and walking towards the restaurant when it hit her. It was their anniversary, hers and Edward’s. They’d been married for… She thought about it for a minute. Eight years. She knew how lucky she was. Things felt like they were properly back on track after the time they’d spent apart, and their sons were healthy and happy and brilliant. She’d commented to Edward a few nights ago that it was finally letting up, becoming a bit easier. Thomas and Sam played together a bit sometimes, and she could imagine a future in which she had a bit of time to herself.
When she pushed open the restaurant door, she saw them immediately. They were in the booth where they always sat, in the back left corner. There was a highchair in place but Sam was sitting on Edward’s knee. Thomas had coloured pencils and was drawing on the back of the kids’ menu. She made her way over to them, kissed them all in turn.
‘This is a nice surprise,’ she said. ‘Happy anniversary.’
Edward smiled at her. ‘Happy anniversary.’
‘Happy MummyDaddy day!’ Sam shrieked.
‘I was trying to explain what an anniversary is,’ Edward said, laughing.
Anna slid into the booth next to Thomas, reached for the drink Edward had ordered for her. There was something so nice about a person knowing you well enough to do that. It was comforting.
‘Hey you,’ Anna said, her hand on Thomas’s neck.
‘Hey you,’ he replied, without looking up.
The waiter came over, pad in hand, and they ordered what they always did. Chicken kebabs with very plain salads for the boys, moussaka for Edward, a chicken and spinach dish for Anna. She thought about the baklava she and the boys would eat afterwards, while Edward had a coffee. She pictured Sam with honey dripping from his fingers, his face a portrait of bliss.
‘Thank you,’ she said, her hand on Edward’s arm. ‘This was such a nice idea.’
Edward smiled. ‘It was Sam’s idea, wasn’t it, buddy?’
‘My idea,’ Sam said, solemn.
Anna reached for him and Edward passed him over from hislap to hers. She squeezed him the way she always did when she saw him at the end of the day, hard enough to let him know she’d missed him. Then she nuzzled into his warm neck and blew a raspberry. He giggled, trying to bat her away with chubby hands, even as she held him at the waist.
The food helped to relax her. It was always good, and because she always ordered the same thing, it was like a comfort blanket.
‘I was thinking we should book a holiday,’ Edward said.
Thomas’s eyes went wide and Sam did a little cheer. Anna looked up. They’d been to Tenerife at Easter and when she’d asked him whether he thought they should have another holiday in the summer, he’d been non-committal. He did this, sometimes. Made decisions alone and let her know at the same time as the kids.
‘Where?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know. Spain, Turkey, Greece?’
‘Turkey is an eating thing,’ Sam said. ‘Not a holiday.’
‘Luke went to Greece last year, didn’t he?’ Thomas asked, looking at her.
Luke was Steve’s son. Anna nodded her head. ‘I think he did, yes.’
And just like that, Anna was trapped in a memory. She’d seen Steve a week or so after he’d returned from Greece. They’d gone for coffee, and he’d told her it was over with Theresa. They’d decided while they were away. No big argument, no drama. It just still wasn’t working and they both knew it. Anna had watched his face carefully as he’d told her, looking for hurt. The skin on his arms was a little red and flaky and she’d wanted to reach out and touch him, to suggest he needed some aloe vera. He’d looked deflated, said something about letting Luke down. And Anna had told him he mustn’t think like that. ThatLuke had two parents who loved him and that was good enough. And Steve had smiled at her as if he didn’t believe that was true, but he was grateful to her for trying. When she was preparing to leave, packing up the toys she’d got out for Sam to play with, Steve had taken her hand and his touch had felt like fire. Dangerous and hot. He’d looked at her then, really looked at her, and said that he knew she was trying to make her marriage work, but if it didn’t, he would be there. And Anna had muttered something that didn’t make any sense and lifted Sam into her arms and left.
‘What do you think?’ Edward asked.
Anna looked at him. ‘About a holiday?’
‘Greece,’ he said. ‘Food like this every day. Sunshine. Mountains. Reading by the pool. History.’
Anna smiled, imagining the sun on her face. ‘Let’s book it,’ she said.
‘Why don’t we get baklava to go and have a look at some options at home?’ Edward asked. ‘The boys can help us choose.’
Edward carried Sam on his shoulders for the short walk back to their house. Anna held Thomas’s hand.
‘Can Luke come round after school soon?’ he asked.
