The story begins on the first day of the holiday of a young English boy and his mother in an undisclosed location, but probably either in France or North Africa. As they walk down to the "safe" beach where they always go, Jerry looks longingly at a more "wild" beach where he would like to play. However, because he does not want to upset his mother, who is a widow and has worked hard to try to raise Jerry by herself, he goes with her. The next morning however, he asks to go down to the wild, rocky beach and is given permission. The mother goes away to her beach worrying about whether she is being a good parent and getting the balance right between protectiveness and independence.