However dysfunctional my family may have been, we certainly knew how to have fun. We laughed uproariously together even in the hardest of times. We eagerly drank every last drop of summer sunshine, milked every last bit of carefree fun out of every moment and, although they all died too soon, I know that my mum, dad, and my brothers had more fun and laughter in their lives than many people would have in 100 years.

First family holiday abroad
Arriving late at night
Bars still open
Piling into pedalos in the early hours
Laughing together
Happy and free

Posh hotel in Marlbrough
Smoke bombs planted in dad’s fags
Restaurant evacuated
Dad eventually seeing the funny side
Laughing together
Happy and free

100mph down the dual carriageway
Hands and feet in the air
Giggling like idiots
We are idiots
Laughing together
Happy and free

Giggling siblings stumbling through lamplit streets
Brother strumming beautifully
Sister singing drunkenly
“Where do you go to my lovely?”
Laughing together
Happy and free