I had always known the relationship with Sarah, my only child, was something special.
Following the accidental death of her mother when she was thirteen we'd faced the world together without any secrets between us. Maybe it was because I had to assume the maternal role as well as my own during her difficult phase of puberty and adolescence, or perhaps we just learnt to trust each other implicitly.
She knew the problems I had adjusting to life without my wife and, over the years, she shared her own doubts about coping with school, boyfriends and her eventual career.
However, despite that background together, I must admit to being somewhat shaken by her unabashed disclosure when we were sharing a drink on the eve of her nineteenth birthday:
'It was all Jake's fault,' she claimed, dumping the blame on her current boyfriend. 'If he hadn't tried to persuade me to accompany him to the naturist beach it wouldn't have happened...
Trouble is, I'm easily embarrassed and wasn't sure how I'd react if a bunch of yobs started to show too much interest in my private bits. It wasn't the attention that would bother me, I can give as good as anything that's slung at me, only the fact that my fellow would be there to witness it.
Well, you'll remember last weekend was hot and Jake was away on business, so I decided to sample the environment quietly by myself.
Arriving early, I was able to settle for a reasonably private spot, with sand dunes to the rear and each side of my unrolled blanket, yet still providing a clear vista of the beach.
Comfortable and naked, I propped myself up against my bag and pretended to read a book while watching others arrive.