GOOD as new

Perhaps all her daughter needed was to look at things from a different perspective

What’s that?’

‘It’s a deckchair.’

‘But where are the cushions?’

‘There are no cushions, it’s a deckchair.’

Danni reluctantly reaches out a hand to relieve the weight from one of mine and we make our way across the garden and out from the shade. She has been home from university for several weeks, however, until today the weather has generally failed to keep up with her summer timetable, so she is determined to make the most of it.

‘How does this even work?’ She holds onto one end, lifting and lowering, then looking at me as if I’m deliberately making her day more complicated than it needs to be.

‘You’re the one doing the degree, try and work it out.’

‘I don’t think English literature covers mechanical engineering. Where did these come from anyway?’

‘They were your nan’s, she was going to throw them out. Aren’t they great?’

Her horrified expression leaves no need for words.

‘Look, it’s quite simple, you pull this bit up and prop that bit… ouch! OK, so there’s obviously a knack to it, but come on, they’re authentic.’