Matilda was further from the beach than she thought. She swam back, her arms and legs tiring. She could see Folly down by the water’s edge, advancing, then retreating from the waves, giving small anxious barks.

‘Damn him, damn him, damn him!’ Matilda cursed Hugh as she pushed her arms through the water. ‘Damn him, oh damn him!’

‘The wind’s getting up.’ Hugh swam alongside. ‘Sea’s getting quite choppy.’

Matilda did not answer. When her feet touched bottom she waded ashore, spitting out the taste of salt, pushing her hair away from her face with wet hands.

‘Now what’s she on about?’ Hugh greeted Folly who jumped and cavorted in the shallows. ‘Think we’d get drowned, did you, you foolish little creature.’ He watched Matilda walking up to the rock, reach for her towel, rub her face with it, pressing it against her eyes.

‘Lovely that was.’ He joined her. ‘This rock’s quite hot.’ He sat down and let the water run down him. Matilda, angry with herself, did not speak rubbing herself dry. ‘Look the other way. I want to strip,’ she said tersely.

Hugh, leaning back on his arms, looked out to sea. He could hear her pulling down the bathing dress and the rubbing of the towel. He glanced along the beach.

‘Here come our lunchtime neighbours.’ He looked round at Matilda standing naked beside him, rubbing her hair with the towel. With her arms raised her breasts looked quite girlish. She had a flat stomach.

‘Oh Christ! Not them again!’ Matilda grabbed her knickers. ‘I’m used to having this beach to myself. Nobody ever used to come here.’

‘I bet fat Dad saw your bush, it’s very pretty.’

‘Don’t be common.’ Matilda imitated the girl’s voice. ‘It’s common to talk about bushes. I have grey hairs in it.’

‘Distinguished. I didn’t note your wrinkled bottom.’

‘I’m wrinkled all over. Neck, face, hands, bottom, all wrinkled through to my soul.’

‘I must be short-sighted.’

Matilda struggled into her shirt and jeans. ‘Put your glasses on, for God’s sake. That woman thinks you’re attractive in your photographs, she’ll recognize you.’

‘Does it matter?’

‘Don’t let’s give her the pleasure.’

‘The father and mother are sitting down. The girl’s going to swim.’

‘Let’s go. Do get dressed.’

‘All right.’ He stood up.

‘D’you think they heard me calling?’ Matilda was suddenly anxious.

‘Did you call?’

‘Yes. Didn’t you hear? I thought you were going out too far.’

‘I didn’t hear. What did you say?’

‘I shouted, “Hugh, Hugh, come back.” They could have heard.’

‘Suppose they did?’

‘That woman knows you are called Hugh. Do hurry.’

‘Hurrying would be the stupidest thing. You go ahead if you’re nervous.’