Happy birthday, darling. Now close your eyes and put your hands out in front of you.’
Pete sounded even more excited than Shirley. She had a few ideas of what her gift might be – the gold bracelet she had spotted in the jewellers, perhaps. A cashmere sweater. Or the beautiful, but rather expensive handbag she’d been dropping hints about. It was a special birthday, after all.
Pete carefully placed the package onto Shirley’s outstretched hands. It felt larger than she expected, but not overly heavy. ‘Is it that coat we saw in the boutique? You shouldn’t have. Or that lovely dress?’
‘Well… it is something you can wear. Open your eyes and unwrap it.’
Shirley giggled with anticipation as she tore off the paper. She looked down. It was some sort of black garment with colour trims, arms and legs and a long zip, and it slithered from her hands onto the floor.
‘What on earth is it, Pete?’
‘It’s a wetsuit!’
‘Oh.’ Shirley tried to hide the disappointment in her voice. ‘Um… thanks.’
‘You said you wanted a wetsuit. We were coming back from the beach recently and we’d been paddling in the sea, and you said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to swim in it? But not without a wetsuit.’ And you’re always saying how much you loved swimming in the sea as a kid and…’ Pete was floundering.
‘That’s true, Pete, but…’
Denne historien er fra August 30, 2022-utgaven av WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
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Denne historien er fra August 30, 2022-utgaven av WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest