John and Peter have been close friends since infant school. They are now 13 and for the first time, John is joining Peter and his family on a camping holiday.

In this passage, the boys are getting ready for their trip. Later we meet them half way through their holiday.

"Yeah, it's not long is it? Mum said to remind you to pack your tennis racket, oh and don't forget your goggles for when we go swimming."

The boys discussed yet again some of the things they would do. Swimming? Yes, definitely swimming. Tennis? Early in the morning when the courts weren't too busy. Rock climbing? This was a must and a day that John was really looking forward to. Peter had talked so much about the climbs that he had made with the instructor and his father that John felt he knew the cliffs already.

Most of the ideas had been Peter's and were based on many of the activities he had already done and enjoyed. John felt that perhaps he should try to think of something.
"What about hiring a bike for the day?" he suggested.

"Yes, if you like," answered Peter, "there's a hire shop next to the camp site, but we usually hire a bike for the week," he added, "because it's cheaper. Then we can get about without asking for lifts."

"Good idea," answered John. He racked his brain for another idea but they were almost home. He'd have a proper think tonight.

"Are you coming out later?" asked Peter as John got out of his seat.

"No, I can't tonight. I promised mum I'd sort out some of the stuff I need to pack."

"OK, then. See you tomorrow - and don't forget your goggles!" said Peter, making circles with his fingers around his eyes. John grinned.

At home, there were clothes to wash and iron, toiletries to buy and an endless list of assorted items to organise according to John's mum.

"Keep your things tidy," she kept reminding him, "and don't forget to brush you teeth and change your socks every day".
"Yes, mum," said John without the giving the slightest thought to socks or toothpaste. His mind was working overtime on ideas for the coming week - cinema, table tennis, and snorkelling! Now that was a good idea. He must remember that one for tomorrow.

The days passed quickly, but not quickly enough for John. Each day at school the two friends made their final plans. Peter's mum and dad would be sleeping in a caravan but he and Peter would share a tent outside. It was going to be really good. Peter said it would be better than ever this year to have John there.

The holiday got off to a good start. The weather was sunny and Peter enjoyed showing John all the familiar places. John had mentioned the snorkelling but Peter suggested they leave it until later it the week. Peter's dad decided they would go climbing on the Thursday.

"Come on your two," shouted Peter's dad, "we have to meet Bill at ten and it's almost quarter to now."

The week had gone quite well, but John felt a bit out of sorts this morning. Sleeping in the tent had been fun at first and they had stayed up well past midnight for the first two or three nights just talking. There was so much to do and see that every day seemed so busy. They had cycled almost everywhere, visited the beach, the shops, played tennis, gone swimming, twice, and had been to the cinema with Peter's mum and dad. Now the tiredness was beginning to tell.

"Almost ready, dad," answered Peter. "Come on, John, I thought you were really looking forward to today."

"I was - er, I am," mumbled John, "I'm just a bit tired that's all."

"You'll like Bill. He's a great instructor. Last year, Stephen, and me climbed further than we ever had before. Bill showed us a chimney in the rocks that we could use. He said that we would get to the top this year because we would be taller".

"Who's Stephen?" asked John.

"Bill's son, haven't I told you about him? He's just a bit older than us, but he's good fun - not bossy or anything. Last year he did lots of things with us. Perhaps we could ask him to come snorkelling tomorrow?"

Normally, John would have said yes straight away but something about Peter's attitude made him say,

"Well it depends if I like him as much as you. Maybe I don't want him tagging along."

Peter was surprised by John's answer.

"You have got out of bed the wrong side this morning, haven't you? Listen if you don't want to go climbing you can stay here with mum and we'll see you later this afternoon."

Now John really felt put out.

"Of course I want to come, but if you're going to spend all day chatting to your old friend then may be it would be better if I stayed here."

"You're just being stupid," said Peter, "I have to go. Dad's waiting. I'll tell mum you're not well and if you want to join us later you know where we are!"

Peter hurried out of the tent. John looked at the ground sullenly. Perhaps he was being stupid. The words 'last year' kept going through his mind. 'Last year, last year, last year!' How many times had Peter said that! Well, now it was 'this year' and it was his holiday as well as Peter's. They had planned it and looked forward to it and none of their plans had included this Stephen whatever his name was.

He heard Peter talking to his mum. Then he heard the door slam and the roar of the engine as the car set off. Well now he'd blown it. They'd gone and he looked foolish.

He thought about the other things they had done during the week - most of them had been quite good. They had had a nice time. He heard someone moving outside the tent. It would be Peter's mum coming to check on how he was. What was he going to say?

The tent flap was drawn back and Peter came in.

"I thought we could ride down to meet Bill and dad on our bikes," he said. John looked at him with a mixture of emotions. He hadn't realised how close to tears he was.

"Yes," he said, "I'd like that - and I really don't mind about Stephen," he added trying hard to sound positive, "if you want to ask him to come tomorrow that's fine by me".

"OK," said Peter, "but it's our holiday, right, so we'll decide together."