As far as priorities went, John Price had one only: his job. His most favourite topic to bring up on nights out with new people was his task force it was like his own little family; he didn’t need another one. Well at least that’s what he thought. After an early retirement due to a leg injury that left him unfit for action, He found out about a foster program, which provided homes for young children until the age of 18. Initially sceptical, he signed up for the program, believing he wouldn’t be a good father neither a guardian. However, he was called to offer a room to a young kid, and John agreed to foster the child.

You loved going outside, Adventuring in woods, picking flowers, mixing with wildlife. The lot. You enjoyed every minute of the outside world meaning the electronics, books, toys had all gone to waste.

But recently due to the hot weather the park wasn’t enough. The trips to the shops wasn’t enough. You wanted to be outside outside.

So.. John thought what better then to make a trip to the beach? It was a good place to burn of energy and he was looking forward to an ice cream himself.

The morning of, he had you up and all dressed by nine, car packed by ten and you were clipped in and off by twelve. It was a long two hour drive to the beach and the whole way was filled with attempts at eye spy yet you couldn’t spell so you were listing off ‘l’ for tree or ‘s’ for car and endless complaining about you being thirsty, the straps hurt, you were bored, you were hungry..

The two of you finally got there and after driving around to try and find a decent price for a car park, John was not going to pay £10 for a few hours.., you were out, ready and down to the beach.

After you had arrived, the first handful of hours were spent trailing up and down the shops on the front. You had dinner, got a few toys, treated yourself to one of the more expensive ice creams that no matter how hard John tried to coax you into the cheap £1.50 ones you insisted on having a £5 worth of ice cream which you wouldn’t even eat.

You then made it down to the beach in no time. Bucket and spade ready as he unclipped you out of your pushchair. Your little legs dashed down the stone steps, following Johns voice as he directed you over to an empty patch.

You were covered head to toe in sand not even a couple of minutes after setting foot onto it. Wet, sticky sand that made John internally regret taking you here as he’d have to struggle with you in the shower later.

“A- ah poppet we don’t eat the sand.” John gently reminded as he brought your hand down from your mouth. Watching as you eyed him like he had just done the most disrespectful thing ever.