Ditto for other real life things. I fiercely loved paddling, enjoyed socialising with my friends, but had few other real interests outside books, the occasional computer game and movie, and the ocean.

If only I could somehow make a life out of being an itinerant ocean-going bookworm... I snorted, amused at myself, and dived again, then drifted to the side, and with a leap upwards lifted myself clear of the water and onto the paving stones. I gathered my legs under myself and rose to my feet. The sun was starting to burn and, while I worshipped my tan, I worshipped my lack of wrinkles and moles more.

I dried...