I was sorting Andys laundry the other day, pulling his navy blazer out of the dryer, when my hand brushed against something thick in the pocket. I fished it out a little envelope, and inside it were two airline tickets to the Maldives. My breath caught. The departure date was in two weeks, return in ten days, business class. The first ticket said Andrew Smythe, my husband. The second said Emily Smythe.
My heart did a little flip. Emily? We dont have any Emily Smythe in the family. I stared at the tickets, felt my knees go weak, and slumped onto the edge of the bed, the tickets clenched in my hand. Twentyfive years of marriage and suddenly theres an Emily.
Maybe its a typo? I thought, but the name was printed clearly, no mistake. Not Vicky Smythe thats me but some Emily.
I slipped the tickets back into the envelope, shoved it into the blazer pocket, and tried to steady my shaking hands. Andy was due home from work in about an hour, and I needed to figure out what to do.
I went into the kitchen, poured myself a cup of tea, and sat by the window. Over twentyfive years wed had our fair share of spats, cold patches, and misunderstandings, but cheating? Id never even entertained the idea. Andy always seemed solid, reliable. Wed met on a group tour up Ben Nevis, bonded over a love of travel, and after that wed trekked the Lake District, ventured into the Yorkshire Dales, and taken a twoweek holiday in Cornwall three years ago. Hed promised a big overseas trip next summer, but work and my own deadlines kept getting in the way. Now, apparently, hed booked the Maldives but not with me.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Olly, my old school friend.
Hey, Olly, can you talk? I tried to keep my voice steady.
Vicky? Whats up? she said straight away, sensing something was off.
I found two Maldives tickets in Andys blazer. Ones his name, the others for an Emily Smythe, I blurted.
There was a pause, then she asked gently, Could it be a work trip? Maybe a mistake?
A work trip to the Maldives? I laughed bitterly. And why would it be for an Emily too?
Youre right, thats odd, she replied. What are you thinking of doing?
I dont know. Should I wait for him to explain? I sighed. Or just ask straight away?
After twentyfive years youll know when hes lying, Olly said softly. Maybe just show him the tickets and ask for the truth.
I thought about it. Wed been together so long I could read his moods, or at least thats what I told myself.
Alright, Ill think about it, I said, and hung up.
Andys been working late a lot lately, taking important meetings on weekends, and suddenly hes sprucing himself up new shirts, a pricey cologne, a fresh haircut at the salon. It wasnt like that before.
I decided I needed proof, so I headed into Andys study. Hes always kept his space tidy, so I knew where everything was. I logged onto his laptop the password is the day we got married, of course and skimmed his inbox. Nothing suspicious, just work emails and a newsletter from an old university mate.
Then I opened his browsing history. Right there, a string of searches: Best hotels for couples Maldives, Romantic Maldives getaways, What to know before travelling to the Maldives, and the last one, Gift for beloved woman on Maldives. Beloved woman, not wife.
I shut the browser, turned off the computer, and fought back tears. I couldnt let him see me break down.
When Andy walked in, Id already pulled myself together and made a mushroom casserole, his favourite. He kicked off his coat, planted a quick kiss on my cheek and said, Hey love, whats cooking?
Casserole with mushrooms, I replied, trying to sound normal. Your favourite.
He grinned, Great, Im starving. He headed to the bathroom to wash up.
We ate, chatting about the weather, the news, weekend plans. I slipped a question in while pouring tea, Any business trips coming up?
Nothing set yet, he said, shrugging. Why?
Just thinking maybe we could get away somewhere together. Its been ages since we had a proper break.
He looked at me a beat, then said, Yeah, it has been a while. We should think of something.
My stomach tightened. He was lying, right here, looking me in the eye.
So, where would you like to go? I kept it casual. Maybe the sea? The Maldives, for instance?
He flinched just a fraction, and I caught it. Maldives? he managed, a nervous smile. Why the Maldives?
Just an example, I shrugged. People say its beautiful. Would you like to go?
He looked away. I havent really thought about it. Probably too pricey, and far away.
Lies, lies, I muttered silently, feeling the knot in my throat.
Whos Emily? I blurted.
He froze, tea cup halfway to his lips. Emily? Which Emily?
Emily Smythe. Do you know her? I pressed.
He started, I…, then cut himself off. Vicky, whats happening?
I stood, went back to the blazer, pulled the envelope out, and set the tickets on the table. I found these while doing laundry. Can you explain?
He stared at them as if seeing them for the first time, then met my eyes.
Vicky, its not what you think.
What do you think I think, Andy? I whispered. That youre flying to the Maldives with another woman? That twentyfive years means nothing to you?
No, thats not it! He jumped up, his voice tight. Its completely different!
How? I asked, tears finally spilling over. Who is Emily? Why are you lying?
He tried to hug me, but I stepped back. Dont, I said. Just tell me the truth.
He sighed heavily. Alright. The truth is I booked these tickets a month ago for us. It was supposed to be a surprise for our silver wedding anniversary.
I looked at the screen skeptically. The email he showed me was from a travel agency, confirming two tickets for Andrew Smythe and Vicky Smythe, plus a hotel reservation.
But why does one ticket say Emily? I asked.
He scrolled down. Look here. Dear Mr. Smythe, there was an error when issuing the tickets. Your spouses name was entered incorrectly. We apologise. New tickets will be sent within three business days. That email came this morning. I didnt get a chance to tell you.
I read it again, my heart still racing. So these tickets are for us?
Yes, for us, he said, taking my hands. I wanted to surprise you for our 25th the silver anniversary. Ive been saving, picking out the perfect resort, everything. I just didnt want to ruin the surprise.
Why the name mixup? I asked, still a bit shaky.
Probably a system glitch. Maybe they mixed my booking with someone elses. I have no idea, he replied, looking guilty.
I stared at him, trying to process. All my doubts, the sleepless night all for a mistake.
Im sorry, I whispered. I guess I overreacted.
No, I get why youd think that, he said, rubbing my cheek. Ive been dressing better, staying late, because I was planning this. I didnt mean to make you feel uneasy.
Shame washed over me. Im sorry for doubting you.
He pulled me into a tight hug. You havent ruined anything. The surprise might have gone a bit sideways, but well still go together. You want to go to the Maldives, right?
With you, anywhere, I said, smiling through tears.
That night I tossed and turned, listening to Andys steady breathing. I thought about how a single doubt can topple a house of memories built over decades.
In the morning, after Andy left for work, I called the travel agency. The operator confirmed the error and said new tickets would be delivered by courier that day.
Do you know where the name Emily came from? I asked.
It was a system glitch we had a lot of Maldives bookings that day, so some data overlapped, she explained. Were very sorry.
I hung up feeling lighter, the fog of suspicion cleared.
That evening, Andy walked in to find the dining table set with candles and a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice.
What are we celebrating? he asked, amused.
Us, I said simply. And our upcoming Maldives trip.
He smiled, pulled a fresh envelope from his pocket. Speaking of the trip, here are the new tickets definitely in our names.
I opened it, saw both tickets bearing Andrew Smythe and Vicky Smythe. I looked up, eyes meeting his, and said, Thank you.
And thank you for trusting me all these years, he replied, earnest. Heres to the next twentyfive.
We clinked glasses as snow began to fall outside, blanketing the city in white. The flat felt warm and cosy, and I thought how lucky I was.
Two weeks later we were on the plane, soaring over the clouds. Andy squeezed my hand and said, I was scared youd say no to the trip. You never like surprises.
I love you, I said, and everything else faded into the background.
As the aircraft reached cruising altitude, the world below turned into endless sky just as boundless as our love, now tested and proven.
Back at home, tucked in Andys desk drawer, lay another envelope with a diamond ring a gift for our silver anniversary, ready for the sunset on a tropical beach. Hed planned it all, and this time the surprise would land perfectly.
That Maldives holiday turned out to be one of the happiest chapters of our life. But that, dear friend, is a story for another day.
