She swims further out, greeting the others, noting that Maddy has ditched the wetsuit and is just in a swimming costume, boots and gloves.

It’s windy, the waves being whipped up as if an invisible puppet master is making them dance. The sun breaks through the patch of clouds, although there’s slanting rain far away on the horizon beneath a bank of dark-grey clouds. The five of them are bobbing in a wide circle.

‘Oh, it’s lovely,’ she says, a big grin on her face. ‘Whooo!’ She laughs as a big wave lifts her up and they plunge down the other side.

‘I love it,’ Claire says, joyfully. ‘I didn’t think we’d be in earlier when it was raining.’

‘It’s still raining over there,’ Tor says, pointing out the slanting cloud towards Worthing.

‘It’ll be here in half an hour,’ Helga predicts.

‘Here we go … watch out,’ Maddy says, nodding behind her, and Dominica follows her gaze to the huge wave approaching. The swell is covered in foamy bubbles and it lifts them up and plunges them down the other side. It’s like being on a fairground ride.

‘How did it go at work?’ Maddy asks. ‘You went back today?’

She appreciates Maddy taking the time to ask, but there’s no point in bitching about work. Not when there’s another wave. They all get swept up on it and plummet down the other side. Her day so far – everything is forgotten as they squeal like children.

They’re all exhilarated and exhausted as they struggle out of the crashing waves to get back to the beach, arms around each other as they pull away from the clutches of the water.

Claire has still got her swimming hat on above her Dryrobe and her teeth are chattering, but she looks cheerful as they get dressed. She stands up, shielding her eyes. Dominica turns, seeing a man walking across the beach and seeing Luna straining on the lead. Her heart does a little skip of joy.

‘Oh, it’s Luna.’

‘Yes. And that’s Matteo, his owner,’ Maddy says, quickly gathering up her stuff, after waving to him. ‘I told him we were coming for a swim.’

He’s younger than Dominica had been expecting and he has swarthy skin and bright eyes. He’s hot, she thinks, immediately.

Maddy turns back and grins at Dominica, her eyes widening.

‘I’ve asked him over for dinner at mine. Well, we’re watching the same series on Netflix …’

‘So it’s a Netflix and chill night,’ Tor clarifies. ‘You do know that’s universally accepted code right?’

Maddy blushes. ‘You mean …’

‘Yes,’ Dominica urges her.

‘Sex,’ Tor says.

‘I’ve asked him over for sex?’ Maddy checks, aghast.

‘Well, you’ve certainly hinted at it pretty strongly,’ Tor teases.

‘Have I?’

Dominica grins. ‘It’ll do you good.’

‘You reckon?’ Maddy asks. ‘Oh, it’s all so confusing. There’s this attraction, but then when I stuffed it up … I don’t know what’s going on ….’

‘He looks very interested, if you ask me,’ Tor says.