Natalie couldn’t resist Dot’s enthusiasm and the thought of wearing her new bathers. She’d better get some use from them considering the price. Back in her room for a quick change she looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. The bathers were patterned with green foliage and splattered with bright tropical birds. The neckline was far more revealing than what she was used to but behave had been whirling in her head when she’d tried them on. She was fifty-eight and while her gaze swept quickly over the bulge around her middle, she liked the way her bust filled them out. Behave indeed, she’d thought as she bought them. Now she decided she liked the shape the bathers gave her and the freedom of wearing so little.

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.