My cousin BB was already bathing in the warm estuary while I was still struggling to get my dress over my head so that I could strip off to my underwear and join her in the water. The two women that I asked to help me gave up. What a stupid idea to wear a tight red and white lycra dress in the middle of summer.

Meanwhile, in the distance, I saw EB struggling in the muddy sand across the bay. She was sinking fast. Her father raced to her side, and – with moments to spare – managed to haul her out.