Little CHARMS

The caravan seems feeble and unprotected. It would be easy to imagine it being swept away with one angry wave as the wind causes the sea to make itself heard.

Nanny Violet sits up in bed next to her husband. She adores the sound of the crashing waves. The tinny frame of the caravan announces every movement, and the sound of her granddaughter Lizzy's duvet swishing against the thin wall separating the rooms is telling. Before long, Lizzy opens the door with a pop and scuttles into her nan's room.

'Is the sea keeping you awake, my darling? Lie next to me for a bit.' Violet lifts both duvets for her granddaughter to climb underneath.

Lizzy snuggles up next to Violet as the waves continue their mission of destruction.

She's sure the water gets closer with every crash.

'Grandad sleeps through anything,' reassures Nanny Violet. 'He's been snoring since his head hit that pillow. Turn on the bedside lamp, my darling, and pass me that black velvet pouch and my glasses, please.' Lizzy was curious about what distraction technique her nan has up her sleeve. She cherishes these seaside getaways with her grandparents.

Although some people say that, at 15, she should do things with her friends on the weekends, she doesn't care. Her nan is her best friend. She's strong, funny, wise and still youthful.

Turning on the seashell lamp, Lizzy remembers when they won it in the clubhouse raffle. Secretly, she'd thought it was tacky, but she loved how Nanny Violet yelped with excitement when her number came up.

Violet picks up the black velvet pouch and unties the top.

'What's this?' Lizzy asks.

Her grandmother slides on her glasses and tucks her curls behind her ears. With a gentle shake, a mass of gold tips into her hand.

"This is my charm bracelet. It's almost 60 years old. Each charm represents a point in my life. I'd like you to have it, darling.

Treasure it always, and tell your children the stories behind the charms.' 'I'm never having kids, Nan. No way.' Violet looks over her glasses with a knowing smile.