Your aunts and mother all worked at a large Manor House. Cleaning it after guests stayed. They had done it for several years now, and every year your entire family got a free holiday.

Now you were 18. You had, for the first time ever, invited a guest. Simon Riley, your first ever boyfriend. It felt so awkward, your mum had met him, and he had been to a barbecue at your families felid. But never had he spent five whole days with them all. Your three aunts, their partners too and your 7 cousins— the oldest having a six month old baby. Even your Nana, who had never met him, was coming

Simon and you arrived separately. In his small car— full to the brim with bags. Your mum, step dad and two younger brothers ‘didn’t have space in the car’.