The Model Wife by Tricia Stringer

Author:Tricia Stringer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

Across the road from the hotel they looked down on the brilliant white beach that stretched away in both directions.

“We have to swim between the flags,” Dot informed her and pointed ahead to where the surf lifesavers were set up. It would be them and a thousand other people, it seemed. Faye led them down the steps and over the sand, her tall frame completely covered by a long-sleeved white shirt and beige linen pants. Natalie had tied the sarong around her waist and slipped on a t-shirt and Dot’s shorter physique was covered by a long-sleeved sundress patterned with vibrant pink-and-purple flowers. They must make an odd-looking trio for anyone watching on.

Natalie trailed behind Dot and Faye as they dropped their towels and both strode confidently towards the ocean, which surged up the beach in powerful waves. She’d only ever swum in pools and the calm waters of the bay where they took their annual summer holiday. The water was cold at first but once submerged Natalie relaxed. The three of them floated along, doing occasional lazy strokes, bobbing up over the waves, enjoying the ocean. Even out here Dot didn’t stop talking, telling Natalie how much she and Faye enjoyed swimming. They were both regular swimmers at home – Faye had a heated pool and Dot sometimes swam there or at her local swim centre.

“We don’t swim in the ocean so much any more though, do we, Faye?”

“No. Too damn cold for me these days.”

“What about you, Natalie?”

“I live a long way from the nearest beach and there’s a town pool but I never use it. It’s probably been well over a year since I swam last.”

Natalie floated on her back. Even on their beach holidays she rarely swam these days but she was enjoying this. Around them several people bodysurfed and Faye caught a wave and joined them. She made it look so easy that by the time she’d made her way back to them, Natalie had decided to give it a go.

“My ears don’t like it any more and I’m trying to keep my hair dry.” Dot patted her neat bob as a wave began to unfurl behind them.

Natalie lunged forward as the foaming water surged above her, suddenly looking much wilder than she’d expected. She’d hardly taken a breath when the roaring curve of the wave crashed over her and carried her forward in its turbulence then spat her out as it flattened towards the beach. She rose to her feet in shock. The power of it had surprised her but also woken a yearning to do it again. She caught her breath, shook the water from her ears and waded out.

Only half an hour later the three of them were staggering from the ocean, laughing, well, Natalie and Dot were. Faye was giving a kind of strangled chortle that could have been a laugh, though Natalie couldn’t hear properly for the swishing in her ears. They were all waterlogged. Dot had done her best to keep her hair dry but had been surprised by a wave and had ended up drenched.

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