The treasure hunt

Chloe had found out her boyfriend' s secret. Now it was his turn to discover hers¼

So what are you getting Josh for his birthday?' asked Ellie. It' s a secret,' Chloe told her.

Josh was Chloe' s boyfriend, and Ellie was her best friend. All three had gone to school together and had known each other forever.

Since when do we have secrets from each other?!' protested Ellie.

Since when indeed? But Chloe and Josh had been an item for some time now and Chloe had come to appreciate that there were some things you didn' t share, even with a best friend.

I won' t tell him anything. Promise,' begged Ellie.

But Chloe stayed firm. This wasn' t just any birthday, it was a milestone. They were all turning 30 this year, a good age for taking stock, for figuring out what was important in life, and Chloe' s plans were to do just that.

I take it you' ll both be spending the day together?' Ellie wasn' t ready to give up. `A lie-in, breakfast in bed, the cinema, a fancy meal?'

Did she sound a bit wistful? Jealous?

Actually, no,' said Chloe. I have some preparations that can' t be done in advance. I' m afraid Josh is going to have to entertain himself for most of the day¼

Saturday, Josh' s birthday, dawned cold and wet. As Chloe outlined his birthday treat he looked at her in complete incomprehension.

A treasure hunt? Seriously?' A very special treasure hunt,' she assured him. All the clues will be about you. About us.'

Wariness showed on his face. There' s not going to be mad rushing around and trick questions?'

No trick questions,' she assured him. But maybe a bit of rushing around.' She grinned. Though I promise you, you' ll think it' s worth it.'

He still didn' t look keen. When does it all start?'

I have some things to do first, setting it up. Please be back here by four.'

Josh perked up. So I have the day to myself?'

She could see his mind working. You do. Just remember, four o' clock sharp or you' ll miss the good stuff.'

The moment he left she sprang into action. But she' d been preparing for days now so it didn' t take long to gather up what she needed. Then she loaded everything into the car before setting off to follow the route she had worked out so carefully.

She had lots of stops, paying a visit to Josh' s mum and sneaking up to his old bedroom to leave something there. The café where they' d hung out as teenagers was busy, but she managed to surreptitiously tuck something under the seat in their favourite booth. In contrast, the playground of their old school was deserted when she placed something behind the bike shed.

On and on she went. She even paid a quick visit to

Ellie' s house and though her friend' s car was in the drive, she managed to creep up the path, do what she had to then sneak away unseen.

Finally she was done, and pleased, she hurried home. Just his card to write now.

Happy birthday to a very special man, she wrote. May the future bring you exactly what you deserve.

She chewed the end of her pen for a moment, then began listing the clues.

Your laptop is where we first met.

Your clothes are where we had our first kiss.

Your wallet is where we first did it.'

Your game' s console is where you first told me you loved me.

One by one she dismantled their life together.

And finally, not much of a clue this one, your key ring is under Ellie' s doormat. What? You didn' t think I' d find out that you two are having an affair? This is a small town and you were seen. Here' s hoping Ellie will give you a new key. You' re going to need it because I' ve changed the locks.

Chloe checked her watch. Five to four. Slipping the card into an envelope, she pinned it to the outside of the front door. Better hope Josh was on time for once. Although she hadn' t damaged any of his stuff, he' d have to be quick to find it before someone else did.

Thirty was a good age for taking stock, for figuring out what was important in life.

So Chloe poured herself a large glass of fizz and did just that.

Happy birthday to a very special man. May the future bring you exactly what you deserve