Our Surprise for Mom!Party planning becomes a secret as the guest room gets booked

The story

Party desk exclusive: a stepdad, three years into his marriage, is told to act normal. His stepdaughter is planning a big surprise for her mother's birthday, with forty guests due on Saturday, and he is the one person able to lure the birthday woman away from home. She has also phoned Aunt Sarah, who and her sister have not talked in four years. Mom wonders why the two are being so weird. In episode 1 the stepdad admits he has noticed more than he should, and the guest room is booked for tomorrow.

The twist

Episode 2 finds the planner trying on a party outfit, explaining that one part is not for the guests, and confessing she took on the planning to get a whole week under this roof. Then Mom comes home early, calling out for them.

Developing story

The paid episodes bring in Aunt Sarah just as the cover story runs thin. The party is Saturday, and the real surprise might arrive before it.