and he has NO idea at all that he'll be going.
As you know we went out there in August to visit the family and meet my BIL's new 'wife' (they're 'married' in Zimbabwean customary terms). They're not getting married (legally) until December though. Obviouisly DH told everyone he wouldn't be going as I can't get leave (true) and it's too expensive for us all to go out (true). What he doesn't know is that my parents (who loaned us most of the money for the August trip) have agreed (with me) to include the money for his flights for December to be included in the loan amount (which is to be paid back as and when we can afford to).
I need to call his manager and arrange a few days off, but that should be pretty easy - he's still got leave left, and they're very flexible about people 'making up' the hours during the week if they have days off that aren't actually 'leave'.
The best bit is he won't know he's going until his birthday - on the 24th November, and he's flying out on the 7th December
Just need to call my SIL (in the UK) now to ask her to get the ball rolling with a bed/floor/mattress/sofa to sleep on for those few nights...............