Hot summer nights: ‘At a festival for the first time, I felt autonomous, desirable and free’

Estranged from my parents at 17, I jumped at the chance to go on holiday to Spain. I danced, drank too much - and had a row that taught me about friendship

When I was 17, there was a lot I knew little about. I didn't know about burning in the sun or how to use euros; I had never swum in the ocean.

I was part of a big family and we were poor. As my parents were out of work, they couldn't afford to take the nine of us on holiday.