Wedding Night

lly do. I’ve been away fo

he hasn’t answered any of

s when she was planning t

rtunate Choices go, that

headed

ve tried leaving voicemails

get through to her intern,

ay—so at least I know she

mmunicado. It troubles me.

make sure

d her yet another text: Hi,

ool playground. It’s thron

on scooters. It’s the first

shoes and new haircuts. An

as we get out of the car.

re container in one hand a

Labrador is itching to g

aning to have

to.”

aving coffee every time

two years now—and it h

t matter. Somehow t

ect,” Anna is saying as

e a.m. finishing that off.

gives a che

ravel p

?” She gestures to her c

toy with silver foil. Har

Hocking won’t know the

l project?”

le or whatever. They’re

lie, come on! T

dy travel

ing, I can see another

holding out a model of a c

as three funnels and rows

figures on top, sunbath

stare at it, sp

g,” Jane is saying. “Some

un making it, ha

lls out Mrs. Hocking che

teeth on edge every time

ming “Ms. Graveney” for s

on’t want to unsettle Noah

name. I like having the s

and

brand-new surname when

rce-

the hot-air balloon?”

e we got the ho

y. I have no idea wha

ing a hot-air balloon. S

She’s a woman in her si

d unhurried, I inevitably

yes rest on my empty h

ave a hot-air ball

r myself saying. “

ll, if there’s any chance

we’re setting up the

sh her a confident smile.

to Noah a moment.” I dr

air balloon

e travel project,” says No

bring them

ng me, staying bright and

. You never m

ds. “But remember

ened to th

it in his f

rge of fury. I knew

ls into my palms. “Daddy didn’t tell

t to make, and Daddy sai

art to gleam. “Daddy said

é and make a basket and p

d be Batman.” His littl

it?” He looks at me expec

mile feels glued into pla

a mo

and speed-

iel

f evenly. “Are you by any

mâché hot-air balloon wi

uite a lo

says at last.

emotely concerned.

.’ You can’t do this, Dan

not fair

’s just some litt

, it’s huge! It’s— You’re

There’s no point wasting b

atever. I’

n answer. I’m feeling a r

own. He’s going to have hi

. Co

snap up the lid of my b

re, from some fancy lunch

osstrainers will be the ro

briefcase and

off our hot-air balloon,”

man to put i

leaning on the car sea

and speckled. They’ll mak

glove compartment. And

use? It’s not like I tra

n the off c

eakable idea grabs

way. I