Violet discovered two tickets to the Maldives tucked in her husbands coat pocket. There was no name on them besides his.
Violet was sorting Andrews laundry when her fingers brushed a stiff piece of paper in the jackets inner pocket. She pulled out an envelope and, inside, two airline tickets to the Maldives. She stared at them, heart skipping a beat. The outbound flight was in two weeks, the return in ten days, business class. The first ticket read Andrew Sutherland, her husband. The second bore the name Eleanor Sutherland.
A wave of panic hit. Eleanor? They didnt have any Eleanor Sutherland in the family. Violet sank onto the edge of the bed, tickets clenched in her hand. Twentyfive years of marriage, and suddenlyEleanor.
Could it be a mistake? A typo? she thought, but the second name was printed clearly, no errors. Not Violet Sutherland, but a stranger.
She slipped the tickets back into the envelope, returned it to the coat pocket, and tried to steady her nerves. Andrew would be home from work within the hour, and she needed a plan.
She shuffled to the kitchen, poured herself a cup of tea and perched by the window. Over twentyfive years theyd weathered everythingspats, misunderstandings, cold spells. Infidelity? Violet could never have imagined it. Andrew had always seemed reliable, dependable. Theyd met on a group trek up Ben Nevis, bonded over a shared love of travel, then tackled the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands, and a seaside break in Cornwall. After the wedding they kept wandering, though the trips grew rarer as work and chores took over.
The last holiday together had been three years ago, a twoweek stay in the Cotswolds. Andrew had promised that next summer theyd go abroad, but life got in the wayfirst her urgent project, then his. Now he seemed to be heading for the Maldives, but not with her.
Violet dialled her old friend Olivia.
Oi, Olly, can you talk? Violets voice trembled.
Violet? Whats happened? Olivia sensed something off instantly.
I found two Maldives tickets in Andrews coat. One in his name, the other in the name of an Eleanor Sutherland.
A pause, then Olivia asked cautiously, Maybe its a work trip? A mixup?
A work trip to the Maldives? And why would an Eleanor be on the same booking? Violet scoffed, halflaughing.
Strange, right, Olivia agreed. What are you going to do?
I dont know, Violet sighed. Should I wait for him to explain?
And if he doesnt? Olivia replied softly. Youve been together forever, but people do change, especially men at a certain age.
Andrew isnt like that, Violet insisted, though doubt crept in.
Everyone says that until reality knocks, Olivia said. Why not just confront him? Show the tickets, demand an answer.
What if he lies?
Youve spent twentyfive years with him. Dont you sense when hes not being truthful?
Violet mulled it over. Theyd indeed learned each others habits, or so she thought.
Alright, Ill think about it, she said finally. Thanks, Olly.
She lingered at the sink, replaying recent memories: Andrews late evenings at the office, mysterious important meetings on weekends, his sudden obsession with sharp shirts, pricey cologne, a trendy haircut. Hed never cared much about appearance before.
She shook herself. No point spiralling into fantasies; she needed facts. She headed to Andrews studya space he kept immaculate, a testament to his love of order. She sat at his desk, typed his birthday (the day they married) as the password, and opened his email. Nothing suspiciousjust work chatter, newsletters, a note from an old university mate.
Then she checked his browsing history. A sudden surge of searches about the Maldives: Best couples resorts Maldives, Romantic getaway Maldives, What to know before a Maldives trip. The final query read, Gift for beloved woman in the Maldives.
Her breath caught. Beloved womannot wife, but woman.
She shut the laptop, wiped a tear away, and forced herself to stay composed. When Andrew finally walked in, coat off, he planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
Hey love, whats for dinner? he sniffed. Smells good.
Mushroom bake, Violet replied, trying to sound normal. Your favourite.
Brilliant, Im starving, he said, heading for the bathroom.
They ate small talkweather, the news, weekend plans. Violet watched him closely, hunting for any sign of deceit. He laughed, talked about work, asked about her day.
So any business trips coming up? she asked casually while pouring tea.
Nothing set yet, he shrugged. Why?
Just thought maybe we could get away together. Its been ages since weve had a proper break.
Andrew gave her a puzzled look, as if weighing whether to say something.
Yeah, it has been a while. Well need to think of something, he said.
Violet felt a knot tighten. He was lying, right then, looking her in the eye.
What about the Maldives? she ventured, keeping it light. Ever thought of going?
He flinched, barely. Why the Maldives?
Just an example, Violet shrugged. People say its beautiful. Would you like to go?
I havent really thought about it, he muttered, looking away. Too pricey, too far, I guess.
A lie, another lie, thought Violet, feeling a lump rise in her throat.
Whos Eleanor? she blurted.
Andrew froze, tea cup halfway to his lips.
What Eleanor? he said, genuinely confused.
Eleanor Sutherland. Do you know her? she pressed.
He started to answer, then stopped. Violet, whats going on?
Violet stood, fetched the coat, and laid the envelope with the tickets on the table.
I found this while doing the laundry. Explain, please.
Andrew stared at the tickets as if seeing them for the first time, then met her gaze.
This isnt what you think, he began.
What do you think I think, Andrew? Violet whispered. That youre flying to the Maldives with another woman? That twentyfive years means nothing to you?
No, thats not it! he snapped, standing up abruptly. Its completely different!
Whats different? she asked, tears finally spilling over.
Andrew moved to hug her, but she stepped back.
Dont. Just tell me the truth.
He sighed heavily. Alright. The truth is I booked these a month ago for us. For our silver wedding.
Violet looked skeptical. On the screen of his laptop, an email from a travel agency confirmed two tickets for Andrew and Violet Sutherland to the Maldives, with a hotel reservation.
But why does one ticket say Eleanor? she demanded.
He scrolled down. Look here: Dear Mr. Sutherland, there was an error in the passenger name. Your spouses name was entered incorrectly. We apologise. New tickets will be issued within three business days. That email came this morning. I hadnt had a chance to tell you.
Violet read it again, heart still racing.
So the tickets are for us? she asked, voice shaking.
Of course! I wanted to surprise you for our 25th anniversary. Ive been saving, picking a hotel, everything, Andrew said, taking her hands. I just didnt know how to tell you without spoiling the surprise. As for the namepure system glitch. Maybe they mixed us up with another booking.
Violet stared, trying to swallow the wave of embarrassment. Shed built a drama out of nothing.
Im sorry, she whispered. I look foolish.
No, love, Andrew brushed her cheek. I get why youd think Id be you know. Ive been a bit different latelynew shirts, a fresh haircut, longer hours. All because I needed the cash for this trip.
She felt a warm blush of shame. Im sorry I doubted you.
He pulled her into a tight embrace. You didnt ruin anything. The surprise may have gone sideways, but were still going.
Anywhere with you, Violet smiled through tears.
That night she lay awake while Andrews steady breathing filled the room. She reflected on how a single doubt could threaten a foundation built over decades. One mistake, one misread name, and a whole house of trust could tumble like a house of cards.
The next morning she called the travel agency. The operator confirmed the booking error and promised fresh tickets that day.
Do you know where the name Eleanor came from? Violet asked.
Sometimes the system glitches when its overloaded, especially during a promotion, the woman explained. We had a massive Maldives sale that day. Data probably overlapped.
Violet thanked her, feeling a weight lift like morning fog under the sunrise.
When Andrew returned from work that evening, the dining table was set with candles and a chilled bottle of champagne in an ice bucket.
What are we celebrating? he asked, surprised.
Us, Violet said simply. And our upcoming Maldives adventure.
Andrew grinned, pulling out the envelope with the new tickets.
Here they are, finally correct, he said.
Violet opened it to see two ticketsAndrew Sutherland and Violet Sutherland.
Thank you, she said, meeting his eyes. For everything.
And thank you, he replied earnestly. For trusting me after twentyfive yearsand for the next twentyfive.
They clinked glasses as snow began to fall outside, blanketing the city in white. The flat felt cosy, the fire crackling, and Violet thought how lucky she was. Sometimes happiness is as fragile as a snowflake, but a single misstep can melt ityet here they were, intact.
Two weeks later they boarded a plane for the Maldives. As the aircraft climbed, Andrew took Violets hand.
I was scared youd refuse to go, he admitted. You never like surprises.
I love you, she said simply. The rest doesnt matter.
He squeezed her hand, both smiling at the endless sky beyond the windowvast and timeless, like their love that had survived doubt and misunderstanding.
Back at home, in a drawer of Andrews desk, lay another envelope containing a diamond ringa gift for their silver wedding. Hed planned to present it at sunset on a Maldivian beach, confident this surprise would finally land perfectly.
The Maldives trip turned out to be one of the happiest chapters of their lives. But that, dear reader, is a story for another day.
