It’s Thursday morning. Philippa bursts into the bedroom with her dinosaur book and jumps on the bed. Mom, Dad, get up! I have another new dinosaur find! Vesper yanks off the blanket and laughs. My darling, that sounds like a real adventure! Thaddeus blinks, still half asleep. Philippa climbs onto his lap. Dad, look, this is a T-Rex! It has teeth as big as my hand! Thaddeus takes the book. Wow. It looks like it’s about to jump out of the paper.

In the kitchen, Vesper stirs eggs and sings. Today we’re having chocolate pancakes! Thaddeus comes in with Philippa on his arm. You forgot the laundry, precious. Vesper turns around. Yes, I did. But instead, I invented a new story for tonight. With a talking octopus that sorts the laundry. Mia comes in sleepily. Mom, you’re loud again. Vesper smiles at her. And you’re grumpy again. Fits perfectly. After breakfast, Thaddeus drives the girls to school. Mia sits in the front. Dad, we have sports today. I don’t want to. Thaddeus puts his hand on hers. You don’t have to love everything, my big girl. But I’ll pick you up if it gets bad. Philippa calls from the back. Dad, I have a presentation on dinosaurs today! Thaddeus laughs. Then tell them about your T-Rex.

Around noon, Thaddeus picks the girls up. At home, they’re all sitting at the table. Vesper has sliced tomatoes and is frying halloumi. I forgot the laundry again today, Vesper says. Thaddeus smiles. I know. I already hung it up. Vesper looks at him. You know who I am and what I need sometimes even before I realize it myself. Thaddeus nods. And you know when I’m about to crash before I even realize it myself. That’s why this works, why it’s a perfect imperfect match. After lunch, Thaddeus and Vesper fall asleep together, close, calmly, happy. Mia crafts, Philippa paints.

Around three, they all drive to the beach. Thaddeus builds a castle with a moat with Mia. Mia runs around. Dad, look at this stone! The waves destroy the castle. Mia laughs. Dad, again! Vesper and Philippa sit in the sun. Vesper reads aloud, Philippa listens…Murakami.

On the way home, they stop at a restaurant. The children run to the playground. Thaddeus and Vesper sit outside, holding hands. Vesper says: Look at them. Philippa with her creativity, Mia with her courage. Thaddeus nods. Two beautiful girls. We’ve made it – because we have each other.

In the evening, they put the children to bed together. Thaddeus reads the octopus story, his voice low. Vesper tucks in the blankets. Philippa drifts off, murmuring about dinosaurs. Mia watches them, eyes heavy, then slips under. In the hallway, Vesper leans against Thaddeus. They were good today. He kisses her forehead. They always are with you.

On the terrace, the sea is louder. Vesper settles against his chest. I keep thinking about the laundry. Thaddeus laughs softly. I already did it. She turns, face close. I don’t know how you do that. I just see you, he says. And I like what I see. They sit in the dark. Her hand finds his. Sometimes I worry I’m too loud, too much. He strokes her hair. You’re the right amount of loud. The right amount of everything. She doesn’t answer, just presses closer. The waves keep coming. After a while, she whispers, I love this. All of it. Even the mess. Thaddeus holds her tighter. Me too. The sea roars on.

• Email this Page
• Share on X
• Share on Facebook

© 2026 Thomas Köppen. All Rights Reserved