Page 98 of In the Same Boat

‘We’re going to head home,’ she replies.

The words land like someone dropping a glass.

‘What?’ Dad blurts.

‘We’ve booked flights for later.’

‘Today?’

Chrissy nods.

‘Sammie’s had something come up with work,’ Chrissy explains gently. ‘Some sort of emergency. She needs to get back.’

I look at Sammie instantly. She doesn’t look at me.

There is absolutely no work emergency. I know it immediately. Not to be the kind of guy who makes everything about me… but this is about me.

She wants out, which is fair enough, but I wasn’t expecting Chrissy to go with her.

‘No, hang on, wait a minute,’ Dad says. ‘Both of you?’

Chrissy nods softly. ‘I’m not letting her travel back alone upset.’

I notice Sammie give her mum a look. It’s subtle, but it’s there.

‘Upset to be leaving the holiday,’ Chrissy adds.

Dad looks between them helplessly. ‘Can’t you stay another day at least?’

‘I really do need to get back,’ Sammie says, finally speaking, but she still can’t look at me.

Her tone is so off. So apologetically polite.

Dad turns towards me, as though maybe I can fix this somehow.

Fuck, I feel so guilty. This all started as a silly game, a way to get ourselves booted off the holiday so that our parents could be together, but now it feels like our games have ultimately messed this up for them. I can’t let that happen.

I stand up before I can overthink it.

‘Look,’ I say quickly, ‘it’s my fault they want to leave anyway, so I’ll go. Let them stay.’

Sammie finally looks at me. I don’t know if I can see hurt or annoyance or what – but she’s not happy.

‘Not everything is about you, Nico,’ she tells me, her words probably pricklier than she intended them.

She folds her arms tightly.

‘I’m a grown woman. I have a life and a job and responsibilities. I need to get back.’

Dad raises both hands immediately like he’s trying to physically break up a fight.

‘Right,’ he says. ‘Okay. Everyone breathe for a second.’

Nobody looks especially interested in that suggestion.

Chrissy looks quietly heartbroken too, now that I’m looking at her. Dad looks more panicked than anything.

But Sammie… she just looks like she really wants to go home, and like she needs her mum. I know the feeling.