As she told me this story I pictured my own dad. He was the father playing with his kids who Edie had watched with jealousy. If we’d ever had the chance to go to Florida I know he’d have played with me all day long.

‘Come on, don’t look so glum. Let’s get an ice cream.’ Edie grabbed my arm. ‘We’ll eat them on the walk back.’

We joined the queue of children with rubber rings clutched under their arms and dads in T-shirts stretched over their bellies. When we got to the front, Edie asked the lady for a scoop of vanilla and a flake, then she turned to me. ‘What do you want?’

‘Oh,’ I said. ‘No. I’m okay.’

‘You sure?’

‘I don’t have any money on me.’

‘My treat.’

‘Really?’

‘Of course.’ She looked up at the lady and said, ‘We’ll have two of those, please.’

‘I get paid next week. I’ll pay you back, I promise—’

‘Oi! Tamsyn Tresize!’ called a voice from somewhere behind us. ‘Who’s your lezzer girlfriend?’

We turned in the direction of the voice. It had come from a group of boys who were leaning against the wall of the car park, Choppers and BMXs discarded in a mess around them. I groaned when I realised who they were.

‘Idiots from school,’ I whispered.

The boys, who were all smoking, a few holding cans of lager, nudged each other whilst smirking at the boy who’d shouted. He was a thick-necked skinhead with a busted nose and pockmarked skin, called Billy Granger.

Edie gave the lady behind the counter the money then handed me my ice cream. We both took a lick and smiled. It was delicious, creamy and sweet. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had an ice cream.

‘I’d love a lick of your girlfriend!’ called Billy Granger, causing the others to fold in half with laughter around him.

‘Ignore them,’ I said quietly. ‘They’ll get bored soon enough.’

Edie threw the boys a contemptuous look then took hold of my wrist and pulled me after her back towards the ramp.

‘Oi! I was talking to you!’

I glanced over my shoulder to see Billy chuck his cigarette onto the sand behind him and push himself off the wall to follow us. He thrust his hands deep into his pockets and swaggered side to side like a listing boat. The rest of the group trailed after him. My heart was thumping. These weren’t nice boys. These were the type of boys who stole dinner money at the school gate and shoved first years in the playground. I stared straight ahead and focused on The Cliff House up ahead.

The boys drew alongside us and fell into step.

‘Hey, blondie,’ Billy said. ‘I know you’re a lezzer but I reckon I can turn you.’

More sniggering. More jeers.