Page 63 of Best Wrong Thing

“Never mind. I can use my imagination.” He licks his lips clean and pushes his laptop towards me.

The web browser displays a ‘Things to do in Maspalomas’ page.

“There are a few tours, but we’d need to find somewhere to book them and plan a bit. I suggest we walk into the tourist hub today, explore it, and book some day trips while we’re there,” he says.

“And buy some food.”

“Good plan.”

I flick through the travel guide. “The rainforest tour looks fun.”

“Right. We should do that first.”

“There are full-day tours of the island, a volcano, and a canyon. The lighthouse looks interesting.”

“I think we can walk to that. We wouldn’t need to book anything to visit.”

“A city tour of Las Palmas.”

Archer leans onto his hand. “Why, Jacob, I’m starting to think you want to spend as little time in this villa as possible.”

“What makes you think that?”

He flutters his lashes. “I wonder. But I might have to limit the trips. Not that you have to.”

I frown. “Why?”

He rubs his thumb and forefinger together. “I’m a bit cash-strapped. Working in the bar is minimum wage, plus tips split between everyone on shift.”

“Let me pay for a few of the trips.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

“That’s generous of you,” Dad says from behind me.

I practically jump out of my skin. Shit.

“But don’t worry about it. I’ll cover the costs of anything you boys want to do. It means a lot to Molly and me that you get along. So the more time you spend together, the better, eh?”

“That’s very kind, but you don’t need to,” Archer says.

“Nonsense.”

I clench my fist behind my back. Nice of him to splash his cash with his new family. My childhood was full of memories of asking for things and being told no.

If you want it, you’ll save your pocket money and buy it yourself.

“Maybe I’ll come on a few trips with you.” Dad joins us at the table, selects two pastries, and puts them on a plate. “Do you think Molly would like to join us, Archer?”

Archer glances out the patio door. “I doubt it. She likes to come on holiday to relax and do nothing.”

Dad smiles. “I’d like to do some of that too. Striking a balance between relaxing and seeing a few things is how I like to holiday.”

Great. It will be even harder for Archer and me to snatch moments alone. Why did I agree to come on this stupid holiday?

“I’ll speak to Molly and see if she wants to come on a wander with us.” Dad takes a pastry outside and sits on a sunbed adjacent to hers.