by Audrey Mary Brooks
Sandy Bay, 1957
THE taxi dropped Melody Bright off outside Trimbles Holiday Camp, Sandy Bay, on a crisp cold morning.
It was the last week of November and she had arrived later in the day than intended due to thick fog for part of her journey.
Things looked a little different here now. The last time Melody had arrived it had been a bright and sunny May morning. She’d worn a summer dress and sandals.
Today she was wearing the woollen hat, mittens and scarf knitted for her by her grandmother. She had donned a thick winter coat and wore fur-lined boots but still shivered.
Melody looked up at the sign over the gates where a cheeky seagull was winking down at her. Sammy, the Trimbles Holiday Camp mascot.
Although she had no fondness for Sammy she smiled to see he was sporting a red hat with a white bobble at the end, rather like one Father Christmas might wear.
Melody was thrilled to be back at the Sandy Bay camp for her second season, having achieved her dream job as one of the front-line staff at Trimbles.
“Bob’s Blazers”, they were called, because of the blue and white striped jackets created by the owner, Bob Trimble.
This was usually shortened to “Blazers”.
A gust of icy-cold wind made Melody hope that the bright blue, V-necked jumpers they were allowed to wear under their blazers at this time of year had arrived.
“Morning, Melody. Nice to see you again!”
The gatekeeper was dressed smartly in the blue uniform coat with shiny buttons. Today he also sported a black top hat, woolly scarf and thick leather gloves.
“Morning, Bert. Nice to see you again, too. It’s wonderful to be back.”
She liked Bert. His role was not only to welcome visitors and keep unwanted folk out. He was also the stage manager for all the Blazers’ shows and creator of any stage props required.
In his spare time he even looked after the site’s herd of donkeys.
“How are the donkeys?” she asked now.
“Very happy. They’re having a well-earned Christmas break in the stables, munching on hay. I do believe they’re the best looked-after donkeys in the country!”
“They will be if you’re looking after them. Have the rest of the Blazers arrived yet?”
Bert grinned.
“If by the rest of the staff you mean that young man of yours, Trevor, he’s here. He’s been standing out here with me, waiting for you, for the last two hours.
“I’ve just sent him off to get a thicker coat – he only had on a s
