Emily found two tickets to the Maldives in her husbands jacket pocket. Her name wasnt on either of them.
Emily was sorting Andrews laundry when her fingers brushed a stiff piece of paper in the inner pocket of his coat. She pulled it out and discovered an envelope, inside which lay two airline tickets for the Maldives. She stared at the documents, heart pounding. The departure date was two weeks away, the return in ten days, business class. The first ticket bore the name Andrew Sutherland, her husband. The second read Eleanor Sutherland.
Her breath caught. Eleanor? There was no Eleanor Sutherland in their family. Emily sank onto the edge of the bed, the tickets clenched in her hand. Twentyfive years of marriage, and suddenly Eleanor.
Could it be a mistake? A typo? she thought, but the second name was printed clearly, without error. It wasnt Emily Sutherland it was a different Eleanor.
She slipped the tickets back into the envelope and returned them to the coat pocket. Her hands trembled, her throat went dry. She needed to collect herself. Andrew would be back from work in an hour, and she had to decide what to do.
She walked to the kitchen, poured herself a cup of tea and sat by the window. In twentyfive years they had weathered quarrels, misunderstandings, periods of distance. Infidelity? Emily had never even imagined it. Andrew had always seemed reliable, faithful. Their shared love of travel had brought them together theyd met on a guided hike up Snowdon, later trekked through the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. After the wedding they kept exploring, though work and domestic duties slowly limited their adventures.
The last holiday they shared had been three years earlier, a twoweek stay in Cornwall. Emily remembered Andrew promising that the following summer they would go abroad. That never happened first she had a demanding project, then he did. Now it seemed Andrew was planning a trip to the Maldives, but not with her.
She picked up the phone and dialed Olivia, an old friend.
Oi, Olivia, can you talk? Emilys voice trembled.
Emily? Whats wrong? Olivia sensed something amiss at once.
I found two Maldives tickets in Andrews coat one for him, one for an Eleanor Sutherland, Emily explained.
A pause followed, then Olivia asked cautiously, Maybe its a clerical error? A work trip?
An official trip to the Maldives? Emily laughed bitterly. And why is the other passenger also a Sutherland?
It does sound odd, Olivia agreed. What are you going to do?
I dont know, Emily sighed. Should I wait for him to explain? Maybe theres a reason?
What if there isnt? Olivia replied gently. Youve been together forever, but people do change, especially men of a certain age.
Andrew isnt like that, Emily insisted, though doubt flickered inside her.
Everyone says that until reality hits, Olivia said, sighing. Why not ask him directly? Show him the tickets and demand an answer.
And if he lies?
Youve lived with him for twentyfive years. Youll know when hes not telling the truth.
Emily thought about it. After all those years they did seem to read each other, or perhaps she only thought so.
Alright, Ill think about it, she said finally. Thanks, Olivia.
She hung up and sat still, memories swirling Andrews recent late evenings at the office, mysterious important meetings on weekends, his sudden interest in new shirts, pricey cologne, a slick haircut from a downtown barbershop. Hed never cared much for such things before.
Emily shook herself. She couldnt let imagination run wild; she needed facts. She rose and entered Andrews study a space they usually respected as each others private domain. Today, however, the situation demanded an exception.
The room was tidy; Andrew liked order. She moved to the desk, entered his computer with the password their wedding date and opened his email. Nothing suspicious: work correspondence, newsletters, a note from an old university mate.
She then checked the browser history. There, to her dismay, were searches for best Maldives resorts for couples, romantic Maldives getaway, and what to know before traveling to the Maldives. The final query read gift for beloved woman in the Maldives.
Emilys breath hitched. Beloved woman. Not wife a woman.
She closed the browser, turned off the PC, and forced back tears. She could not let Andrew see her cry.
When Andrew finally walked in from work, Emily had already composed herself and set the table. He shed his coat, kissed her cheek as habit.
Hey love, whats for dinner? he sniffed. Smells delicious.
Chicken and mushroom casserole, Emily replied, trying to keep her voice steady. Your favourite.
Great, Im starving, Andrew said, heading for the bathroom.
During dinner they chatted about the weather, the news, weekend plans. Emily watched him closely, searching for any sign of deceit, but he behaved as usual talking about a new client, asking about her day, cracking jokes.
So any business trips coming up? she asked casually while pouring tea.
Nothing concrete yet, Andrew shrugged. Why?
Just thinking maybe we could plan a break together. Its been ages since weve had a proper holiday.
Andrews eyes flickered, as if he wanted to say something but held back.
Yeah, thats true. We should figure something out.
Emily felt a tightening in her chest. He was lying, right now, looking her straight in the eye.
What destination would you like? she continued, trying to sound light. Maybe the sea? The Maldives, for instance?
Andrew flinched slightly; Emily caught the subtle movement.
The Maldives? he chuckled nervously. Why the Maldives?
Just an example, Emily shrugged. People say its beautiful. Would you like to go?
I havent really thought about it, he replied, looking away. Its expensive and far.
Lies, lies, Emily thought, a lump forming in her throat.
Whos Eleanor? she asked suddenly.
Andrew froze, tea cup halfway to his lips.
What Eleanor? he asked.
Eleanor Sutherland. Do you know her?
Where? he began, then stopped. Emily, whats happening?
She stood, fetched her husbands coat, and placed the envelope with the tickets on the table.
I found this today while doing the laundry. Please explain.
Andrew stared at the tickets as if they were brand new, then met her gaze.
Emily, this isnt what you think.
What am I thinking, Andrew? she whispered. That youre planning a trip with another woman? That twentyfive years meant nothing?
No, thats not it! he snapped, standing. Its completely different!
How? Emilys tears finally broke free. Who is Eleanor and why are you lying to me?
Andrew moved toward her, tried to embrace her, but she stepped back.
Dont. Just give me the truth.
He sighed heavily.
The truth is I bought these tickets a month ago for us, he stammered. It was supposed to be a surprise for our silver wedding.
Emily looked at the laptop screen he produced. An email from a travel agency confirmed two tickets for the Maldives, booked for Andrew and Emily Sutherland.
But why does one ticket say Eleanor?
Andrew scrolled down the message.
It says, Dear Mr. Sutherland, an error occurred during ticketing. Your spouses name was entered incorrectly. We apologise. New tickets will be sent within three working days. Thats why you saw Eleanor. The agency sent a correction this morning, but I havent had a chance to tell you yet.
Emily read the note repeatedly, disbelief warring with relief.
So these are for us? she asked, voice trembling.
Yes, for us! Andrew took her hands. I wanted to give you a surprise for our silver anniversary. Ive been saving, picking the perfect resort, planning everything for months.
Why didnt you tell me? And where did Eleanor come from?
I wanted it to be a surprise, he said apologetically. The wrong name was a system glitch. I have no idea why it chose Eleanor.
Emily stared at him, trying to process. Had she built a drama out of nothing?
Im sorry, she whispered. I must have looked foolish.
No, I understand how it could look, Andrew said, brushing her cheek. Did you really think I could with another woman?
I cant say, Emily admitted. Youve changed lately the new shirts, the haircut, staying late. I let my imagination run wild.
I was preparing for the trip, he interrupted. Wanted to look presentable beside a beautiful wife. The extra hours were for extra projects to afford the holiday.
Shame washed over Emily. She felt foolish for doubting him.
Forgive me, she said, hugging him tightly. I ruined the surprise.
You didnt ruin anything, Andrew said, holding her close. The surprise just got a little delayed, but well still go. You want to go to the Maldives, right?
Anywhere with you, Emily smiled through her tears.
That night Emily lay awake while Andrews steady breathing filled the room. She stared at the ceiling, thinking how easily a single doubt could topple a life built over decades. One mistake, one misread name, and the solid foundation of trust could crumble like a house of cards.
The next morning she called the travel agency. The operator confirmed the clerical error and promised fresh tickets that day.
Do you know why the name Eleanor appeared? Emily asked.
It was a system overload. We had a huge surge of bookings for the Maldives that day, and some data got mixed up, the woman explained. Were sorry for the inconvenience.
Emily thanked her and hung up, feeling a weight lift as the morning fog cleared.
That evening, when Andrew returned, the dining table was set with candles and a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket.
What are we celebrating? he asked, surprised.
Us, Emily replied simply. And the upcoming trip.
Andrew smiled, pulling a fresh envelope from his coat.
Here are the new tickets, guaranteed to be in the right name.
Emily opened it to see two tickets: Andrew Sutherland and Emily Sutherland.
Thank you, she said, meeting his eyes. For everything.
And thank you, he said earnestly. For believing in me all these years, and for the next twentyfive to come.
They clinked glasses as snow fell outside, blanketing the city in white while the flat glowed with warmth. Emily reflected on how fragile happiness can be, how a single unfounded suspicion can threaten years of love, and how honesty and communication can restore what fear tries to break.
Two weeks later they boarded a plane to the Maldives. As the aircraft climbed, Andrew took Emilys hand.
I was afraid youd refuse to go, he admitted. You never like surprises.
I love you, she answered simply. Everything else is just details.
He squeezed her hand, and they both smiled, gazing out at the endless skya sky as boundless as the love that had survived doubt and emerged stronger.
Back home, tucked in Andrews desk drawer, lay a small box containing a diamond ring, the intended gift for their silver wedding on a sunkissed beach. The day on the Maldives would become one of their happiest memories, a reminder that trust, once tested, is worth protecting above all.
