Page 60 of The Other Side

Osian pretended to panic.

“And great white sharks,” Drum added.

“Not going to add piranhas to that?”

“The sharks ate them.”

“I’ll risk it. I’m hot. The water looks good. I thought I’d have a swim while we were here.”

“Naked? And is it a river or a stream? It looks barely deep enough to swim.”

“I don’t want to get my clothes wet. You’ve literally just said that naked wild swimming is permissible.”

“Permissible isn’t the same as recommended.”

“Ah.”

“Or encouraged.”

“I see.”

“Or something I was hoping my partner would immediately decide to do while I’m still technically on duty.”

“Maybe I’ll need saving.”

Drum laughed. Osian stepped down towards the water. It was clear enough to see the rounded stones beneath the surface, sunlight flashing off the gentle current.

He dipped one foot in. “Ooh.”

“Lovely and warm?”

“You’ll see.”

Drum folded his arms, still chuckling. “You’ve got about five seconds before common sense kicks in.”

“I don’t think it lives here.”

“No, I’ve noticed.”

Osian took another cautious step until the water reached his knees, then looked back over his shoulder. “You coming in?”

“I like my swimming with changing rooms, lifeguards and at least the possibility of a hot shower afterwards.” But he couldn’t take his eyes off Osian’s perfect backside. He’d started to remove his boots almost without realising he was doing it.

Osian shrugged theatrically before taking a deep breath, then launched himself forward with an undignified splash. A second later his head burst back above the surface. “Bloody hell!”

Drum doubled over laughing. “You’re putting me off.”

“Keep stripping.”

Drum wasn’t tidy like Osian. His clothes were off much faster, chucked in a heap before he threw himself into the water.

Shit! But it was refreshing. Osian pulled Drum into his arms.

“Careful,” Drum whispered, “or this will turn into an ASB matter.”

“What’s that?”

“Anti-social behaviour.”