Page 73 of In the Same Boat

I can’t help but swap a glance with Nico before I answer.

‘Very well, thank you,’ I reply.

Then I notice the table properly – well, what’s on the table. It’s a full English breakfast. Sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, hash browns, toast, beans, tomatoes – the works.

‘Oh my gosh,’ I say before I can stop myself.

I’m always pleased to see breakfast, but turns out this is the exact thing I want to eat.

Hank grins, proud of himself.

‘I thought you two might appreciate a little bit of home,’ he says. ‘There’s an English section in the supermarket. Tiny little shelf tucked near the back. They sell tins of baked beans – cost me about ten euros for a tin.’

‘Worth it though,’ Nico says, taking a sip of coffee.

‘Yeah, I would have paid double,’ I say, intoxicated by the smell.

‘They feel sort of forbidden here – I think that’s what makes them so much more exciting than usual,’ Nico adds.

I can appreciate that – still, I laugh.

‘I don’t think anyone has ever considered baked beans to be so naughty,’ I joke, nudging him with my elbow.

As he laughs, I look over at our parents and notice that they’re staring – really staring, like they’re not quite sure what they’re looking at. My time to shine, I guess.

I reach over Nico for the orange juice, but pause deliberately on my way.

‘Babe, hold still,’ I say, leaning slightly towards Nico.

He turns his head just enough for me to catch a tiny flicker of understanding in his expression. He knows the game.

I brush my fingers lightly against his cheek.

‘You had something there,’ I tell him. ‘I think it was one of my hairs.’

‘Well, they do get everywhere,’ he replies with a smile. ‘There’s me thinking you were just looking for another excuse to touch me…’

His eyebrows lift slightly behind the sunglasses.

‘It’s a miracle I managed to tear my hands off you after last night,’ I reply.

Oh booooy. I can physically feel Mum’s eyes burning holes into the side of my head. Either Hank drops his fork in shock, or it’s just a coincidence. I can’t believe those words just left my lips. I don’t think I would ever say that in front of anyone, definitely not my own mum, or the dad of the man I’m talking about.

‘Careful,’ Nico warns playfully. ‘You’ll embarrass me.’

‘Oh, I think that ship sailed when your father walked in on us this morning.’

My mum picked the wrong moment to sip her coffee. She coughs and splutters.

I get it, she’s shocked, I am too. I can’t believe I’m playing these silly games with Nico – at least I have the advantage of knowing it’s all fake.

That said, part of me genuinely wants the yacht to spontaneously sink so we can all go home.

‘Anyone want any sauce?’ Hank says, brandishing the ketchup.

I dread to think how much that cost him.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say ‘we’re saucy enough’ but I think that would be a step too far.