“It’s not something I think I’d buy for myself,” Natalie said now.

“Don’t wait for your husband to do it,” Faye declared. “If you see something you like buy it. A celebratory gift to yourself.”

“What’s she celebrating?” Dot asked. “Is it your birthday?”

“No.” Natalie lowered her gaze under the scrutiny of both women. Yesterday, over afternoon drinks while Dot had gone back to the room for something, Faye had asked her outright why she’d travelled alone. For some reason, probably something to do with her second cocktail, Natalie had confided that Milt wouldn’t leave the property so she’d come without him. She may have also mentioned how cross she was with him but not gone into any detail. Faye had obviously read between the lines.

“Independence,” Faye said.

Dot’s mouth fell open and her eyes widened. “You’re not getting divorced.”

“No.” That word shocked her. Her marriage wasn’t over. This was another glitch surely, just a hiccup. She and Milt would work it out and yet – a dawning realisation hit her – did she care enough to want to?

“Good grief, don’t jump to wild conclusions, Dot. Natalie’s learning to take some time for herself, that’s all.”

“Oh, of course. Silly of me, only Faye has an independence celebration every year on the anniversary of her divorce.”

“And another on the anniversary of our joint retirement from the Education Department,” Faye said.

“There’s always something to celebrate,” Dot said.

“How long since you retired?” Natalie asked, glad to change the subject.

“Ten years.”

“Eight for me but we share the date,” Faye said.

“Are you thinking about retiring?” Dot asked.

And once again two sets of eyes were focused on her. Dot’s gently enquiring, Faye’s probing, as if she could read things in Natalie’s mind she hadn’t admitted to herself.

“I…” Natalie shrugged her shoulders. “I haven’t thought about it yet.” It was a lie; she had but was terrified by the concept. What would she do with herself if she didn’t have school?

“Oh well. You must be happy doing what you’re doing.” Dot smiled. “You’ll know when the time has come, won’t she, Faye?”

Faye nodded and continued to look at Natalie with a steady gaze. “You’ll know.”

“Oh blast!”

They both looked at Dot who’d sat then shot back off her seat as if she’d been bitten. She reached down and plucked her sunglasses from the lounge. One arm dangled.

“And another pair bites the dust,” Faye said.

“Why do I have so much trouble with sunglasses?”

Natalie smiled. The last five days had been punctuated with searches for Dot’s glasses.

“I’m popping back to the room for my spare pair,” Dot said. “Don’t start drinks without me.”