Free A Proper Family Holiday by Chrissie Manby Page A

me!’
    Jack broke into Ronnie’s thoughts by demanding her attention for a half-dive into the pool, which basically involved pointing his hands above his head before jumping in feet first as usual. Ronnie felt her heart leap as her son sprang into the air before she could say, ‘Make sure it’s deep enough!’ Her heart stayed in her throat until Jack came up spluttering. When he could take a breath again, he gave his mother a huge grin.
    ‘How was that?’ he asked.
    ‘Just like Tom Daley,’ Ronnie assured him. ‘You’ll be in the next Olympic team.’
    Jack climbed out of the pool for another attempt. He was so happy. Why was it so hard to hang on to childish confidence and enthusiasm? If children knew what being an adult was like, they wouldn’t bother to grow up at all.
    A text arrived on Ronnie’s phone. It was Chelsea.
    Ronnie steeled herself for a meeting with the sister she hadn’t seen in over two years.

Chapter Ten
    Chelsea
    It was not the kind of welcome Chelsea had hoped for. Having imagined the whole family being there to greet her, she was disappointed to find just Ronnie and Jack in the advance party. Ronnie didn’t seem exactly overjoyed to see her either. Having perceptibly stiffened in Chelsea’s air-kissing embrace – ‘You’ve gone very media’ – she gave Chelsea the usual once-over and immediately commented on her luggage.
    ‘I bet that’s the first time they’ve had Louis Vuitton on easyJet.’
    ‘And how are you?’ asked Chelsea, to make a point.
    ‘All right,’ said Ronnie. ‘You remember your nephew, Jack.’
    ‘Of course I remember my nephew.’
    ‘Well, it’s been a long time.’
    Jack was hiding behind his mother’s legs. Though he had talked about nothing but the imminent arrival of his aunt for the past twenty-four hours, now that she was here, he was suddenly shy.
    ‘Hello, Jack.’
    Chelsea had forgotten how cute her nephew was, with his big eyes and white-blond hair. It was a shame that Ronnie had given him a thuggish buzz cut and he was dressed in a Coventry FC T-shirt four sizes too big for him. Chelsea bobbed down to greet him. She stuck out her hand. Jack stared at it.
    ‘How are you?’ Chelsea asked.
    ‘Shaking hands is a bit posh for him,’ Ronnie suggested. ‘He’s not a London child.’
    First reference to ‘fancy London ways’: approximately ten seconds in.
    ‘A hug, then?’ Chelsea suggested. ‘Have you got a hug for your auntie?’
    Jack tucked himself further behind his mother. His eyes were wide, as though he had never seen anything quite so exotic as his aunt before and the sight of her had rendered him speechless. When Chelsea told him she’d brought him a teddy bear (a last-minute airport purchase to make up for missing his birthday), he actually covered his eyes to lessen the intensity. Chelsea straightened up. She wasn’t in the mood to try to coax Jack out from hiding. All she wanted was a shower and a nap. It felt like she’d been travelling for a week.
    ‘He’ll get used to you,’ said Ronnie.
    ‘Sure. Where’s everybody else?’ Chelsea asked.
    ‘They’re exploring the town,’ said Ronnie. ‘Except for Granddad Bill. He’s in the bar.’
    ‘I’ll see him later,’ said Chelsea. She wasn’t especially looking forward to seeing how far he’d declined in the two years since she’d last seen him and felt that a moment or two in her room first would make it easier. ‘Have you got my room key?’
    Ronnie handed it over.
    ‘Thanks,’ said Chelsea. ‘I guess I’ll see you later.’
    ‘OK,’ said Ronnie. ‘We’ll be by the main pool.’
    That was that. It had not been as painful as Chelsea had expected or as warm as she had hoped. Ronnie turned round to go. Chelsea picked up her bag and headed in the opposite direction, for the lift. Before she got that far, however, she was almost knocked off her feet by a low-flying missile. Jack had decided he would give his aunt a hug of welcome after all. He wrapped