“It’s Essie’s,” she said, avoiding his gaze. “I said I’d get it dry-cleaned for her.”

“Just how much did you spend on souvenirs?” he said, after she’d unpacked the teddy bear, guidebook, and the almonds and orange slices she’d bought.

“Nothing, they were gifts.”

He looked at her, as if she was speaking in a foreign language. “When you’re finished unpacking, I’ve got a couple of things to ask you.”

Liv didn’t feel like talking, or listening. Part of her brain was still in the sunshine, and not drinking anything on the plane had left her feeling dehydrated and a little dizzy. “I need to sit down with my drink first.”

Jake passed her the tea. He looked at her expectantly.

“What’s so urgent?” she said with a sigh.

“It’s Katrina’s big 5-0 in September. She wants to go to a spa.”

Liv gaped at him, wondering why this couldn’t wait. “That’s next month, it’s weeks away.”

“She’s booking a pamper day at Hampton Hall for friends and family,” he continued. “There’s a pool, sauna, massages, facials, that kind of stuff.”

Jake once told Liv he’d rather be ridden over by a horse than pay someone to rub his skin. She could tell from his expression that they were all expected to go. It was bad enough going to a party with all his relatives, without seeing them half-naked.

“The ladies are going to have treatments, and the men can use the pool and sauna. Johnny’s broken arm means he’ll have to sit some things out. We can all meet up for lunch afterward.”

Liv leaned down to pick up a bra. “Hampton Hall is really expensive. Is Katrina paying for everyone?”

“Um,” Jake said, which she deciphered as a no. “We have to confirm today. And we’ll need to get her a birthday present, too.”

Liv ignored the word we. Jake always left his gift buying until the last minute, so she had to step in to do it. “Why do you always bend over backward for your sister? When she clicks her fingers, you come running.”

He was quiet for a while, as if considering telling her something and deciding otherwise. “It’s her special birthday,” he muttered.

Liv sipped her tea, not impressed. “Did you say there’s something else?”

Jake rubbed the back of his neck. “It’ll wait,” he said. “You get settled and we’ll talk later.”

For the rest of the day, Liv tidied her things away and carried out her laundry. She admired her tanned arms each time she stuffed the washing machine. Her hairs were bleached blond, and she wished she’d taken more photographs to prove the last three days had actually happened. She wasn’t entirely sure if she’d dreamed them or not.