The thought was enough to make Izzie’s lungs tighten again, and then that horrible clammy feeling began to return, descending on her like a fog – until the woman said firmly, ‘I’ve got some money. You wheel your bike over there and sit down; keep taking those shallow breaths. I’ll park the car and meet you in a minute, okay?’

The woman – Olivia, she was called – was really kind. She bought Izzie a cold Diet Coke and then they walked right down to the end of the row of beach huts and just sat there together until Izzie began to feel more normal again. How many points for a near-death experience? she imagined herself putting on the group chat later, only – cringe-klaxon – she must actually have said the words out loud, because then Olivia was frowning and saying, ‘How many points for what?’

‘Nothing,’ Izzie mumbled, cheeks burning.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Olivia asked. ‘What happened, I mean. You seemed miles away when you were cycling along. Is everything okay?’

Izzie sipped the drink. Its cold sweetness seemed to spread some calm through her and she let out a long exhalation. ‘Just . . . family holiday stuff,’ she said. Then her earlier feelings of rage caught up with her and bubbled out. ‘I thought holidays were meant to be fun! Mine’s rubbish so far. I just felt like getting away from everyone.’

Olivia didn’t reply for a moment. ‘I know what you mean,’ she said eventually.

Izzie pressed her lips together. Adults – Mum, generally – were always saying that, but half the time they had no idea. They didn’t know what she meant. Here was Olivia, for instance, nice and everything, but she had her own car with kiddie seats in the back: a grown-up life with responsibilities and money. What would she know about wanting to run away on a moment of impulse?

‘At least holidays come to an end, though, right?’ Olivia went on. A weird expression crossed her face. ‘Well – most of the time. You’ll be back in your real life again soon.’

‘I suppose,’ said Izzie. ‘Although I’m not looking forward to that, either. Exam results and stuff with friends . . .’ she added by way of explanation when Olivia gave her a quizzical look. Then she felt herself turning red. Look at her, pouring out her heart to this random middle-aged woman, having nearly been run over. Her friends would laugh their heads off if they could see her. Er . . . Summer of Yes, remember? they’d jeer. Wild recklessness and bad behaviour! What the hell, Izzie?