My Three WISHES

Since childhood, Liz had yearned for one thing - but was it a half-baked dream?

- Sarah Swatridge

Over a pot of tea, I showed my best friend Gail the torn-out page from an old exercise book, and told her of the three big dreams I'd had as a child.

At school, we had to choose one wish for ourselves, another to share, and one to benefit the community.

First on my list was to see a dolphin. I loved watching Flipper on TV in those days.

My second wish was inspired by a picture I'd seen. It was a silhouette of the Eiffel Tower. I couldn't see myself going to Paris alone, so this was the dream I'd share.

'Finally,' I told one Gail - and remember I was only seven-'my third big dream was to achieve my Brownie cookery badge, so I could sew it on the sleeve of my uniform.'

Gail tried to hide her smile. She was always gently teasing me for my lack of imagination.

'So have you ticked off all those things, Liz?' she asked.

'I saw dolphins in a zoo. Of course, nowadays children would want to swim with them.'

'Wouldn't you have liked to swim with them?' Gail said.

'I did consider it on holiday once. But I'd much prefer to watch them in the wild.'

'And Paris?'