‘So where’ve you booked to go first?’ Emma asks me excitement in her voice as she stacks plates in the dishwasher.

I lean against the kitchen worktop, taking a sip of my tea.

‘Um, we’ve booked Italy first, we’re gonna do Spain next, then we’re gonna move onto Austria and Hungary, all around there basically. I fancy Croatia as well; everyone keeps saying it’s really nice there. We’ve got a few hostels booked along the way, so nothing too dear.’ I decided it would be best to say we’re going to Europe rather than further afield.  

‘The flights weren’t too dear were they? You know if you’d booked this for another few months, you probably would’ve got them cheaper,’ she says.

‘I’ve got savings, when was the last time I splashed out on myself?’

She holds her hands out in defence. ‘I’m just saying, just saying. Well you make sure to keep us updated with lots of pictures. Call us as often as you can, and if you have got some money left over why don’t you treat yourself to somewhere nice to stay at the end of the holiday?’

‘I’ll try.’

I drift into the hallway. If only we were going away on a holiday to Europe. My suitcase is by the front door. I glance back towards Emma. I hate lying to her, but what other choice do I have? There’s no way she and Michael would approve of what we’re really doing.

Callum’s car arrives outside at quarter to nine.

‘Have a lovely time,’ Emma says, hugging me.

I hug Michael.

‘Stay safe,’ he says, tightening his grip on me. Why do I get the feeling he has some sort of inkling of what we’re up to?

I head outside. Emma and Michael both step out of the house to see us off.

‘Got everything?’ Callum asks, getting out of the car.

'Yep,’ I say.

I dump my suitcase in the boot and wave to Emma and Michael. They think we’ll be landing in Italy at around two o’clock in the afternoon, UK time. Callum waves at Emma and Michael before sliding back into the car.

‘You’ve not received any more correspondence from Harvey, have you?’ he asks.

I shake my head as I plug my seatbelt in. ‘Nope, nothing.’ Callum sighs. ‘Callum, I did say to you that you have to be certain you want to go through with this. If you want to you can drop me off at the house and drive home.’

‘No, don’t worry, it’s fine, it is,’ he says. ‘Right I s’pose we better get going.’

Please don’t say he’s already having second thoughts. Michael and Emma both go back into the house. I relax into my seat.