The next 6 weeks passed in a blur. Each day Sarah's excitement grew, and like a child her questions were never-ending. It was endearing to a point and then tiresome, but this was the biggest step we had taken. I knew her actions were coming from a place of nerves realising the significance of the trip as well as excitement. The morning we had to leave, I finally had enough when I saw she was trying to pack most if not her entire wardrobe and toiletries.
"Sarah, what are you doing? There is no way you're going to need even a third of all that," I said maybe a little too loudly when I noticed her suitcase.
"It's my first time going, I have no idea what to take," she said to me in a tantrum.
"I get that, but most days are going to be casual. Just pack clothes you'd wear on a casual Sunday at the pub, some comfortable shoes to walk around in, a few swimming costumes, and a couple of light jackets. You can pack a dress or two if you want, but I doubt you're going to need it," I said trying to remain calm.
"But what if I need something else?" she pouted.
"Then we'll buy it over there, it's not like we're going to the Arctic. There are plenty of places to buy things. That's the other thing, you're not leaving any room to bring anything back, presents for our mates, trinkets for the house. Pack for like a week, maybe 10 days tops, apart from the hotel in Cape Town, we're staying at Dad's, he has a washer and dryer just like us. If you wear more than leggings and a hoodie while we're camping I'll pay for you to take the girls on a spa day when we get back."
"But babe, your suitcase is full why aren't you taking anything out?" she replied, trying to find a chink in my argument.
"Now you're just being silly. You know full well half the stuff in my suitcase are things that Dad and Marie ordered and asked me to take back for them," I replied sternly before softening my tone. "Look, I get it you're nervous but seriously go through what I've packed, just match me. You'll be fine."
"And if you're wrong, I get a spa day with the girls?" She replied in a childlike voice.
"Yes babe, you get a spa day with girls if I'm wrong."
"Can I invite Scar and Becca?"
"Yes, you can invite Scar and Becca, they'd love that," I replied gently.
"Okay," she said in a slightly stronger voice, before kissing me. "Thanks, I knew I was being ridiculous. I was packing out nerves and not being practical. You know if I get rid of most of the stuff in my case we can share all the stuff you're taking for your dad, and make your case lighter."
"That's the spirit love, now let's get a move on so we can get to Mum's in time for dinner."
It was on the train when she had her next panic attack, "Mike we're fucked. We don't have any presents for your Dad and family. He's paying for half our flights, the hotel in Cape Town and hosting us, and we forgot to get him and Marie a present. It's just rude."
"That's what Duty-Free at the airport is for. Gin for Marie, rum for Dad and chocolates for Maggie and everyone else. I've done this a few times you know," I replied hoping to calm her down.
"Okay, I should've known you had a sensible plan, but you could have clued me in" she said getting comfortable against me for the rest of the journey.
When we got to Mum's, she was in the middle of making dinner, she was the best cook I knew and big family meals were her speciality. The fish pie she made was a thing of beauty, and Sarah made the appropriate noises having never had her home cooking before.
"Amy this is delicious, I thought Mike was the best cook I had ever met, but now I need to rethink my rankings," she said politely.
Mum laughed, "Who do you think taught him?"
"It was always their thing when he was a teenager, Mum would cook and Mike would do all of her prep work," Scarlett added giving Sarah some context.
"That's sweet. Thank you for teaching him Amy, I'm benefitting now," Sarah laughed.
"You're very welcome dear. Are you excited about your trip then?" Mum asked changing the subject.
"I'm almost too excited, Mike had to tell me off this morning for overpacking. I can't work out what I'm most excited about, Table Mountain and the camping trip are currently top of the list."
"It will all be amazing dear, and I'm sure Mike has a few surprises planned for you," Mum added giving me a knowing wink.
Sarah got her first surprise on the flight, I had upgraded us from the economy seats we had picked to the premium economy cabin. I didn't normally bother with seat classes but when it came to a 12-hour overnight flight, I would take every comfort amenity I could afford.
"Mike, did you forget the bit where we were supposed to discuss every expense related to this trip?" She hissed at me as we took our seats.
"No, I didn't. I just figured this was one of those ask forgiveness, not permission situations," I replied simply, before she could respond I continued. "Babe look, the flight is 12 hours long, I'm 6'1 that's a long time to sit in a cramped seat, and I'll bet after you've eaten and watched your film, you're going to lift that armrest and use me to sleep on, which I don't mind but the extra space will help. Plus here it's just us, we don't have a stranger to share our row with and you get the window to yourself."
"If you had told me that before I wouldn't have minded, I'm just still a little self-conscious of how much this is all costing and how little I've contributed," She said softly.
"That's why I didn't tell you. I've told you before I do all of this because it's what I want to do for both of us, please stop worrying about it, let's just have a good holiday."
"Mike, are you serious? I can sleep on you through the flight."
"You sleep on me every night, why would a flight stop you?" I answered with a laugh.
