It's May and still chilly. We're taking what Dad calls our early summer holiday. A weekend at the seaside in an ancient caravan.
We've stayed here each year since I was born, 13 years ago. Four of us squeezed into a cramped space. It has a chemical toilet, peeling paintwork and seats that form narrow, squeaky beds at night.
I long to ride the roller coaster or drive a dodgem car, but the amusement park isn't open yet. Instead, we race each other on the empty beach.
'Can we have fish and chips?' asks Keith.
My brother looks hopeful until Mum hands round the cheese-and-pickle sandwiches she made earlier that morning. We munch them sitting in a seaside shelter, watching the waves crash on the seashore. We're all ravenous.
'Can we have a 99, then?' asks Keith.
There's a kiosk open and Dad buys us ice cream cones, but without the Flakes. We scowl and he says, 'You should be grateful. I never had holidays when I was a boy.'
He starts a tirade about his deprived childhood that we've heard many times before. As we leave the beach, I notice something by a pebble.
'I've found a ring!' I shout. I hold it up. It's coated in sand.
This story is from the May 30, 2023 edition of Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 30, 2023 edition of Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Big Help OUT
Support a cause close to your heart with this brilliant charity campaign
MENOPAUSE the good news!
Fed up hearing about how menopause is all doom and gloom? Here’s how to make this period the happiest of your life
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
BABY brights
Stitch this sweet bib and bloomers set for a new arrival
GARDEN notes
Puffy peonies and a glam grass
In the footsteps OF HEIDI
Discover Swiss spa town Bad Ragaz and the surrounding Alpine landscape, setting for the classic novel Heidi
Make-ahead PUDDINGS
Showstopping desserts for weekend entertaining
One pan FEASTS
In her new cookbook, Anna Jones shows how to whip up a meal with minimal fuss
Animal MAGIC
Three women reveal how they are using their much-loved animals to help others
Sensational sewing
With The Great British Sewing Bee back later this month, three women share their love of stitching