“I’m Dot,” the blue-eyed woman said. She had a neat, short bob haircut, blonde from a bottle. Natalie guessed she was in her late sixties. “And this is Faye.” Dot waggled her fingers at her friend.

“Natalie.” She smiled at both women and took off her sunglasses. They weren’t needed in the shade of the dining room.

“Are you travelling alone or waiting for someone?” Dot asked.

“Alone,” Natalie said confidently, as if it was something she did every day.

“You’re so brave. Faye and I always travel together. We’re both from Perth. What about you?”

“South Australia.”

“Oh, whereabouts? We’re going there next, aren’t we, Faye?”

“Let Natalie eat her breakfast, Dot. You know how quickly it cools.”

Faye’s tone was brusque and the glance of her grey eyes equally sharp, but Dot didn’t take offence. She simply smiled sweetly. “Of course.” She leaned in. “The food’s nice but we don’t like the coffee.”

“Dreadful filtered stuff,” Faye said, not worried about lowering her voice. “But I refuse to pay extra for a proper coffee. We’re paying an arm and a leg for this place already.”

“Oh, but it’s worth it,” Dot said. “How’s your room, Natalie? Ours is simply divine.”

Faye pursed her lips and blew a breath through the gaps. Her closely cropped grey hair matched the grey of her eyes. Natalie felt a bit wary of her but Dot was delightful and continued to talk, with only the odd interjection from Faye, while Natalie ate her breakfast. They were retired teachers, Dot a widow, Faye a divorcee, both liked to travel. They’d been overseas on several trips together but had decided it was time to see more of their own country. This holiday had been to celebrate Dot’s seventieth and it was their first visit to Broome.

“Silly really when we’re Western Australians. It’s wonderful to escape the cold back in Perth. I guess South Australia is freezing too. The pool is divine here,” Dot said. “Have you been in yet?”

Natalie shook her head. “I only arrived late yesterday.” She sipped the last of her coffee. It wasn’t the best she’d ever had but it was drinkable.

“The water’s a bit cool for my liking,” Faye said.

“You said you found it refreshing,” Dot countered.

“Hmm.” Faye poured herself more water.

“We both love to swim.” Dot turned back to Natalie. “We haven’t tried the beach yet. We thought this afternoon. Would you like to come with us?”

“Easy up, Dot,” Faye said. “Natalie’s probably got her own plans.”

“Not really,” Natalie said quickly as she saw the anticipation fade from Dot’s face. “But I have to buy some bathers first. I forgot mine.”