Chapter seven - Leila

The water is freezing and the wind is blowing strong across the sand, which explains why there are only a few dog walkers scattered across the beach and no one else.

The cold weather doesn't deter us though. Channelling our inner children, we make sandcastles, bury our feet and paddle in the sea, ankle deep until our feet go numb. 

It's the most fun I've had in ages and only the mouthwatering scent of the fish and chip shop is enough to drag me away.

As we eat, we watch a pair of dogs chasing each other around the beach, the few people around walking along, stopping to chat and then moving on, all of them look as happy and relaxed as I feel. 

"I might move here after graduation." I laugh, spearing a chip onto my little wooden fork and biting into it. I'm on