Maddy cautiously tiptoed round the sleeping forms of her sisters, which isn't easy in a tent filled with three airbeds and three suitcases. Lily, an ironic name given her bright red flaming hair, lay flat on her back, mouth wide open, snoring gently. Maddy sorrowfully resisted the urge to put something in there - she didn't want to be responsible if she choked. Pity, because there was a nice clump of grass right next to her pillow. But, no...  better not. Heaving a sigh at her own thoughtfulness; Maddy unzipped the tent door and stuck her head out into fresh, clean morning air.

Behind her, she heard Kitty - the third triplet - breathe deeply and roll over. Maddy held her breath. Kits was always the lightest sleeper. Usually she and Maddy got up together. But today... Maddy smiled. No, today was different. Today Maddy wanted to be alone.

The morning sun was already high in the sky when Maddy emerged from the tent. The morning air was cooler outside than in the tent and she rubbed her bare arms cautiously, wondering whether to go back in and forage around for a cardigan. The grass was still wet with dew and the freshness hung in the air; just standing in the outside world made Maddy alive and sparky. This was always the best bit of camping; it was always the best bit of the day.

She decided against the cardigan and trekked across the field; her feet bare and wet with dew. It was barely half five in the morning; but already most of the campsite was awake. As she passed tents, people were emerging, tousle-haired and sleepy-eyed with wash bags and kettles and all sorts of amazing things. Maddy always wondered why people emerged with kettles. Do they sleep with them or something? She once saw a woman emerge with a pan and a string of sausages. Astonishing.

There was more activity by the toilet block; but still fairly quiet. The worst time to get up was about eight; then there'd be queues out of the toilet and shower block doors. Luckily; Maddy and usually Kitty were early risers. Besides, if there was a queue, they'd just get a bowl of warm water and wash in the field behind the tent.

One washbag lay next to the sinks when she went into the cool interior of the toilets. Maddy laughed out loud.

"Morning, Mum!"

There was a startled noise from inside one of the cubicles.

"Which one of you is that?"
"Erm..." Maddy liked to tease. "Not sure yet."
"Oh, Mad."
"How did you know that?"
"Well... you're Mad."

"So are you."

"Thankyou."

The toilet flushed and her mum emerged. Unlike the triplets; she had blonde hair. Long, long, long blonde hair that reached her waist, and she wore the most wonderful clothes. Today she was in her lilac tie-dyed long dress with a purple bandana tied round her head. Gorgeous. Maddy sometimes really envied her mum.

Although her hair was the lighter of the three, it was still auburn. She would love to have inherited the golden blonde of her mums hair and, incidentally, her little brothers. Maddy's dad was short, solid, with dark red hair and Maddy seemed to have taken after him; in every way except the solidness. But that was probably because she wasn't a rugby coach, like her dad.

She quickly washed her face in the sink and raked a comb through her hair, pausing for a second, before changing her mind and plaiting it.

"Do you know," said her mum as Maddy dabbed suncream on her face, "You look a lot happier now you're back in a tent."

"Oh, I am," said Maddy, "I am, I am, I am. I love waking up with the sun. I love being this close to nature."

She closed her washbag.

"I love being able to breathe."

Her mum smiled. And then looked away; but not before Maddy caught the sudden thoughtful look in her eyes.

"What?"

Her mum looked back, surprised. The thoughtful look had gone.

"What?"

"Oh. I thought... i thought you were going to say something. Are you going back yet?"

"In a minute, after I've brushed my teeth."

"Wait," said Maddy, and she hurridly undid her towel and removed her clean clothes that were balled up inside it.

"If I get changed quickly, could you take my stuff back for me?"
"If you're quick," said her mum.

Maddy dashed into the toilet cubicle and rapidly changed into her clean jeans and stripy blue vest top. Doesn't matter if it's still cold, I'll make do, she told herself. She knew it'd heat up once the sun got high enough. Besides... she grinned and felt a bit giddy with excitement; I'm not too sure the cold is going to bother me...