“Is that so?” He tickled her as he pulled her in close.

“Stop, Dan, stop,” she gasped.

He sat back, a worried frown on his face. “Sorry, are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said, “but if you do that after all the orange juice and cups of tea I’ve had this morning I could wet my pants.”

“Things have changed since the honeymoon, haven’t they?” He pulled a quirky smile. “Let’s open the parcels.”

Paula slid back the paper to reveal a beautiful card with a picture of a beach scene. As she opened it a small pouch slipped onto her lap. The card was a voucher. Paula had to re-read it to make sure she had it right. Then she flung her arms around Dan’s neck.

“Are you serious?” she said.

“It’s not the Hilton,” he mumbled into her ear.

She sat back and read the card out loud. “Mr and Mrs Dan Woodcroft have four nights at Sandy Beach Cottage.” It was the B & B they’d stayed at the weekend of the football grand final. She looked again at the dates. “Starting tomorrow. Dan, that’s fantastic, a holiday together, uninterrupted for four nights.”

“I’m sorry we couldn’t go to Sydney, Sweet Pea. Maybe next year.”

Tears pricked at her eyes. “This is so special, thank you.”

“There’s more.”

Paula picked up the pouch and slid open the satin rope holding it closed. A delicate gold chain with a dainty sparkling pendant dropped into the palm of her hand. “Oh, Dan, it’s beautiful.” She turned so that he could put it around her neck and do it up. She picked up the pendant with her fingers as she leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you.” The tears threatened to overflow from her eyes. “Now come on, open yours.”

He ripped the paper from the parcel with no ceremony. The first thing he picked up was the wallet. “Are you suggesting there’s something wrong with the old one?”

“Dan,” she groaned, “it’s falling apart.”

He grinned and picked up the book she had chosen for him, turning it over to read the blurb.

“I know you don’t read much but this one sounded like an action-packed page-turner.”

“Looks perfect for a holiday by the beach.” He picked up the final box in the parcel. “And a game.” He turned the box over. “I don’t think I’ve played this since high school.”