Зургаан цагт гарна

It is the evening before the camping trip, and the kitchen table is covered in maps and bags. Dad says, “We are leaving at six tomorrow. Nick is driving, and he is bringing the stove.” “Is Mimi coming tomorrow?” Sara asks. “No,” says Dad. “Mimi isn't coming tomorrow. She is too small for the hills.” Mimi says nothing and hugs her rabbit.

The alarm goes at five. Mimi is already by the front door in her boots, with her rabbit under one arm. “I am coming,” she says. Dad looks at Nick, and Nick laughs. “She can sit next to me,” he says. So they all set off at dawn.

The road climbs into the hills, and the sky turns pink. Then the car goes bump, bump. A flat tyre. “Don't worry,” says Dad. “A flat tyre can set back a trip, but not stop it.” It sets them back an hour.

By nine they are at the campsite by the stream. Nick and Sara set up the tent while Dad finds dry wood. “Up here the rain can set in fast,” says Dad. Ten minutes later it does.

Inside the tent Sara and Nick set out the food on a flat stone: bread, cheese and apples. “Let's set aside the wet things,” says Dad, and he puts the coats and boots in one corner. Then Sara and Mimi set about making tea on the little stove. Mimi wants to help, so she has to set down her rabbit and hold the cups.

The rain stops as fast as it came. Nick pours the tea, and the stream shines in the sun. “Are we coming here next summer?” asks Mimi. Dad looks at her wet socks and laughs. “Yes,” he says, “and you are coming too.”