‘Seriously, though, I was really excited this morning thinking about coming back,’ continues Phoebe. ‘Way more excited than is probably considered normal for the thought of throwing myself into muddy, cold water.’
‘If you’re not normal, then we’re all not normal either,’ says Sandra.
‘Ahh,’ adds Jazz, letting out a long sigh. ‘They should prescribe this on the NHS. I’d been about to lose it this morning with my folks. I’m back living with them for a while,’ she explains, ‘and, God, I love them. But they do my head in sometimes too.’
‘Everyone needs their own space,’ says Sandra kindly.
‘And this feels like mine!’ Jazz rolls onto her back for amoment to float, kicking her toes, the bright flash of pink nail polish contrasting against the dark green of the water.
‘I’m so glad I came,’ Kate says, following Jazz’s lead and floating on her back, keeping her head up so she can still chat. ‘I really needed this.’
‘Oh yes?’ asks Sandra, her tone encouraging Kate to continue. She already feels comfortable with these women, but they know nothing about her. The thought feels freeing. Here, she doesn’t have to be the woman in the tracksuit bottoms who is chronically sleep-deprived and spends far too long scrolling social media. She can be anyone. She can beKaterather thanMummy.
‘Things with … work have been quite stressful recently. But I already feel calmer.’
‘I get that,’ comes a quiet voice. Kate hadn’t even noticed Hester rejoin the group, swapping her efficient front crawl for their more leisurely breaststroke. ‘I’m doing my AS levels and I get stressed. But on the days when I swim … I feel better.’
‘How could anyonenotfeel better when they’re down by the river?’ says Sandra. ‘We’re happy to have you here, Kate. And you too, Phoebe. And if we’re lucky, we might see a kingfisher. There’s one around here. I’ve named him Bert.’
‘Why Bert?’ asks Phoebe.
‘Oh, no reason.’
A white feather glides in front of Kate’s nose, followed by a sprig of cow parsley. The cottage couldn’t feel further away right now. There’s something thrilling about knowing that her phone is on the riverbank along with her clothes. No one can reach her here, needing her. Just thinking it opens the doorfor that all-too familiar feeling of guilt to creep in, though. She remembers the words of the mum at the Tired Mums Club.I can’t bear to be apart from you for a second.
‘Swimming always makes me feel like singing,’ declares Sandra suddenly. ‘Would anyone mind?’
‘You know you don’t need to ask,’ says Jazz, making Kate think that singing in the river must be a regular occurrence for Sandra.
Luckily, she has a beautiful voice. She sings softly, her words mixing with the sound of the birds and the quiet gurgles of the river. Kate recognises the words to ‘Morning Has Broken’, a hymn she remembers from primary school. It’s been a long time since she last heard it. She has never considered herself religious and yet, hearing Sandra sing the hymn while they swim down the river in the morning sunshine, it feels surprisingly fitting.
Praise for the morning, praise for the singing …
Kate lets out a long sigh.
‘Look!’ exclaims Sandra suddenly. ‘It’s Bert!’
A flash of brilliant turquoise and orange whips by. Kate watches as the darting shape crosses the river and pauses on a branch for a second before flying away again. Although fleeting, there is something about the vivid colours against the backdrop of browns and greens that takes her breath away.
Only once she’s certain it’s gone does Kate break the moment’s awed silence.
‘I can’t believe we saw a kingfisher! I’ve never seen one in real life before.’
Jazz is beaming. ‘We love it when we see him. Always makes the swim extra special.’
‘I’ve always wanted to see a kingfisher,’ says Phoebe.
Sandra is the only one not to join in with their enthusiasm. Her expression looks lost as she watches the spot where the kingfisher just sat.
‘Are you OK, Sandra?’ Phoebe asks. A deep frown lines the older woman’s face and her eyes glance about as if searching. Kate meets the eye of Phoebe, then Jazz and Hester and they all share a questioning look, silently asking one another,What happened there?
But as quickly as it arrived Sandra’s frown passes and she turns to face in the other direction, back towards the meadow.
‘Come on, I think it’s time for the “Recreational Water-Based Activities” part of our swim. Let’s head back to the riverbank.’
CHAPTER 22
‘So, by “Recreational Water-Based Activities”,’ says Phoebe, dressed again now but her skin still tingling from the cold water, ‘you mean …?’
