THE FUSE

Somewhere around the second night of a family villa holiday, someone always says it: “This was such a good idea.” It usually comes right after dinner, when the plates are still out, the kids have disappeared to whatever corner of the garden has the best hiding spots, and the grandparents have claimed the two comfiest chairs on the terrace without anyone quite noticing them do it. For about an hour, it genuinely does feel like the good idea everyone hoped it would be.