‘Good morning, Daisy.’

I felt instantly wary of Annie’s tone. Did she remember last night? Had she indeed been awake? What was the appropriate protocol, mention it or ignore it? The light streamed through the curtains but I could tell it was barely eight or nine o’clock. The seagulls were wailing their raucous calls. I took Annie in for a moment and I was glad to see she had lost the Christmas outfit and was back to her uniform of crisp white shirt and trousers.

I had hoped for a long lie in with Ben before we drove back to home. I felt for his side of the bed and found it empty.

‘Where’s Ben?’ I asked groggily.

‘He’s helping me with a small task I needed doing on the computer. This internet stuff, I’m still so new to it all. I know it’s the age of technology, but I’m an old soul. So is Ben really. Such a good boy he is. Always there to help his mama out,’ Annie said, apparently waiting for me to say something back.

‘Well, yes,’ was all I could manage. I started to sit up.

‘Ben said it was okay to come in.’ Annie was round by the side of the bed and was putting the coffee cup on the bedside table.

‘Er, did he?’

‘Yes he did, Daisy, are you calling me a liar?’ Annie said, laughing as she straightened up.

I suddenly remembered I was wearing a thin cami top, so I pulled the duvet high up to my chest. Annie stood very still. Then she turned and walked out of the door. I opened my mouth to speak but realised it was too late. Suddenly I felt angry and somewhat violated at Annie’s presumptuous behaviour. She had no right to wander in here and sneak up on me like that. I was about to holler after her but something stopped me. I took a long deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Ben wandered into the room looking annoyingly lively, and closed the door.

‘Where have you been?’ The breathing hadn’t worked, the tension in my voice was apparent.

‘Just sorting out my mum’s computer? She asked me to do a couple of things. Are you looking forward to getting back home?’ Ben was breezy as he skipped round to his side of the bed and hopped up next to me. We were going home today. He had yet to break the news to Annie but his sense of relief to be leaving the beach house was palpable.

‘Your mum brought me coffee. Wasn’t that nice of her?’ I grinned inanely and heard the petulant tone in my voice.

‘Did she? Oh right. I told her I’d bring it. Never mind, hope she didn’t see you in your negligee,’ he laughed. I frowned at him. Why was Annie so keen to bring me coffee herself, I wondered, as my mind flashed back to the incident in the bathroom.

Ben shuffled closer to me, placed his chilly hand under the sheets and began searching for bare skin. I pulled myself back down under the sheets and allowed my husband to caress me.