Page 22 of One Last Thing
‘Yes, it will come soon,’ Nico confirms, as Megan puts on her sandals.
‘Henry used to swim in.’
Nico smiles. ‘You aren’t allowed to do that anymore.’
My hands on my hips, I look around at the fleet of boats bobbing in the sparkling blue sea. Collioure is a town on an extraordinary coastline. The first thing you spot as you near it is the church tower, tall and striking with its pink dome, right on the edge of the water. Then your eyes drift across the colourful red-roofed houses, the stone-walled castle, the green hills that stretch up beyond them, the old windmillin the distance and the fort perched at the top. This is a calm, unspoilt place filled with stories, you can feel them at a glance.
My vision is a little blurred. I blink to clear it, my breath shaking a little. It’s the heat. I need to cool down. I glance down at the water and make my decision.
Taking my sunglasses off my head and putting them in their case in my bag, I start removing my maxi dress, standing in my swimsuit that I’d changed into when Nico informed me that the first item on Henry’s list was a boat day. I quite agree it’s the best way to start a holiday.
‘Mum, what are you doing?’ Megan asks sharply.
I bend down to start the process of removing my sandals.
‘I’m going to swim in.’
‘What?’
‘That’s what Henry always did.’
I straighten, tossing my shoes in my bag.
‘Nico has just told you that you’re not allowed to do that here,’ she says in the manner of a school teacher trying to keep their patience with the disruptive kid.
‘I don’t think anyone will mind. It’s not far to the beach.’
‘Mum, you can’t.’
I examine the water, a flurry of nerves dancing around my stomach. ‘Yes, I can.’ I’m convincing myself. ‘It will be a nice way to cool down. Henry used to harp on about that, didn’t he. A refreshing swim to wash away the cobwebs or something along those lines.’
‘Blow away the cobwebs,’ she corrects impatiently, Henry’s stubbornness etched in the lines of her frown. ‘You never even swam in when Dad was here! You didn’t like getting your hair wet or ruining your make-up when you were about to go for lunch.’
‘Yes, that was when I thought people might look at me. These days I know no one is.’ I lift my chin, inhaling deeply through my nose as I eye up the water. ‘Things are different.’
‘Nico, tell her she’s being ridiculous, she doesn’t listen to me,’ Megan orders sharply.
‘Does she listen to anyone?’ he says, amused.
‘You were always very observant, Nico,’ I say. ‘And the answer is no, I don’t. One of the many reasons I’m a complete and utter disaster.’
‘Don’t you think you’re too old for these silly games?’ Megan mutters.
I clench my jaw. ‘No. I don’t.’
Moving to the back of the boat, I prepare to disembark.
‘Are you seriously going to do this?’ Megan asks, utterly bewildered.
‘Yes, want to join me?’
‘No! Because it’s absurd and you’ll get in trouble.’
‘A threat that’s never stopped me before.’
‘Mum, please, you can’t,’ she presses, exasperated.
‘I keep hearing that sentiment recently,’ I say. ‘It’s beginning to irritate me.’
