‘It’s amazing!’ Mavis yelled into the wind, when they got to the top of the Tower and could look out over the sea and along the coast for miles. ‘If I had a telescope I could probably see Mum and Dad sitting on a bench in St Annes.’ She hadn’t had a lot to say for herself so far, but at least she wasn’t whispering shyly or looking cross and sulky now.

When they came back down to the ground, Mavis said she was hungry.

‘All right, we’ll go and have summat to eat,’ said Gina. ‘What would you like?’

‘Not vegetarian food,’ said Mavis. ‘Mum and Dad went to a meeting where someone was preaching about vegetarianism and now we have to eat it all the time.’

‘When was this?’ asked Gina, feeling sorry for her all over again.

‘Only just before the school holidays. They got all keen and had to book the Merrylife for our holidays. Usually we go to look at some ruins.’

‘Crikey, whose idea is that?’

‘Dad’s interested in history and likes to go round ruined castles. Mum and me aren’t bothered about them, but it’s what we do on holiday. Now I’d quite like a day without ruins, or vegetarian food,’ Mavis added sadly.

‘I thought it was weird at first,’ said Gina, ‘but Ruth and Mary are such good cooks that I don’t mind not eating meat or fish. Try it this evening and I bet you’ll think it’s nice.’

‘It’s not nice when Mum cooks it,’ said Mavis.

‘Well, why don’t you ask the ladies to give your mum a recipe or two to get her started?’ suggested Gina.

‘Oh, Diana, you’re so clever,’ gushed Mavis. ‘But let’s have something not vegetable now.’

‘How about fish and chips, with masses of salt and vinegar, eaten in the open air out of a newspaper?’ suggested Gina. ‘It’s the only way to do it.’

Mavis grinned. ‘Mum says eating in the street is common,’ she said.

‘It isn’t in Blackpool,’ Gina said. ‘Folk’d think you were odd if you didn’t. We’ll find a bench, though, not wander about the street.’