She pushed off from the edge of the pool and began to swim back the other way, passing a man who was doing the same languid lengths of the pool as her, but in the opposite direction. This morning she’d caught the bus to the Courthouse markets where she’d wandered aimlessly through the colourful stalls. She’d enjoyed a mango smoothie, picked out a couple more books from a second-hand stall, bought some soap the colours of a Cable Beach sunset and, at a busy jewellery stall, she’d selected a bracelet for each of the girls sporting a single pearl. The photos of the Staircase to the Moon she’d taken on her phone were a blurry mess so she’d bought a wine bottle cooler with a picture of it as a memento of the spectacular phenomenon she’d enjoyed with Dot and Faye. After that, she’d called at the tourist centre and made enquiries about where to go next then returned to the hotel armed with plenty of suggestions. The Dampier Peninsula was her first choice but she wouldn’t be able to get a seat on a tour there for a few more days and she needed new accommodation from tomorrow night.

She reached the other end of the pool where the cafe deck overhung it and heard the sound of the cocktail shaker. She wondered what Faye and Dot would be doing. Back into their busy lives already, from what she’d gathered. She wasn’t rushing back for that. She’d hardly given school a thought, although she’d sent Paul a text to let him know she would need the extra week away, and her mind had also lingered on a couple of children who she knew would be missing her. Joel in particular didn’t cope well with change and she hoped whoever was replacing her would be able to continue their work on fire and flood with care. Her program was detailed but perhaps Paul would’ve got her replacement to do something else altogether. And she wondered how Eloise was coping. Natalie was sure she had the makings of a valuable teacher, she just needed confidence and time.

“Hello again.”

Natalie stood abruptly in the shoulder-deep water to avoid bumping into the man in front of her. “Sorry, I was miles away.” She went to move around him.

“This is an excellent place, isn’t it?” he said.

She looked more closely at him. Dark-brown eyes watched her steadily from below a balding pate; a moustache etched his upper lip. He could be her age, maybe older.

“Yes, lovely.” She felt uncomfortable under his gaze. She glanced around. There were plenty of people about but she felt very alone.

“Your husband’s not a swimmer?” he said.

Natalie frowned.

“Only I noticed you doing laps yesterday afternoon on your own.”

“Oh.”