By the time Booker finally stood up from the ground and control was handed over to the player,
the scene before their eyes became dreamlike and fantastical.
It was a splendid golden beach, each grain of sand seemed to be wrapped in scorching sunlight.
Off in the distance was the azure sea and sky.
The clouds were as soft as if they were woven out of dreams.
And turning the view back around,
there was an endless stream of tourists on the beach.
Some were selling ice cream, some were chatting and laughing under umbrellas in groups of two or three, and others were swimming in the shallows wearing spicy bikinis.
Looking towards the farthest part of the pier,
you could see a group of residents dancing by the coastline.
The petite Elizabeth was among them, singing and dancing to the cheerful music of a Scottish accordion, with a brilliant happy smile on her face.
Her dance was clumsy, consisting only of a few simple moves, and then spinning over and over again.
