Skinny Dipping

  ***

  Two weeks later, Eve contacted Sophie and insisted she return to the pool. “But Matthew told me all I needed to do was practice,” she heard herself say. “He said I could do that alone.”

  “But I haven’t seen you here, have you gone somewhere else?”

  “No, but….” Sophie found multiple excuses not to go to the centre. She started her excuses by using the ‘w’ word. Work. She was working late, working early, working at the weekend, working out of town.

  Then her creativity kicked in. Not surprising really because Sophie did live and breathe the world of advertising. A high school friend who she’d reconnected with (most probably on Facebook) was in town for one night and she had to see her (or “him”). She was talking to the Lost Dog’s Home about how they could possibly implement a rescue adoption programme (she really did like animals). She was thinking about entering the London Marathon and needed to find the right shoes because her instep had been quite painful lately. She’d run into an old college professor and was speaking with her old university about a research project.

  “I have an idea for you, Sophie,” Eve replied.

  “What’s that?” Sophie answered.

  “You mentioned that you wanted to practice on your own. Well, Matthew will be away for a few days. So that should be exactly what you wanted to achieve for your solo sessions?

  Sophie paused. “It doesn’t matter whether Matthew’s there or not. I just need to practice on my own. That’s what the taskmaster said.”

  Eve was Matthew’s personal assistant. She probably knew everything about him. What he ate for breakfast. How he liked to do his laundry. Who he had sex with….

  “That’s so good to hear because you’ve come so far Sophie. You know I’m not just Matthew’s personal assistant. I’m also a swimming coach. I wouldn’t want to see you stop. You’re at the point now where you’ve practically got it and just getting in will really help you. Swimming is a life long skill. It can save you in the direst of situations. There are a few skills you haven’t learnt yet. Why don’t you come in and maybe you and I could work something out? You can of course practice on your own but I could offer you a few tips in regard to treading water and show you how to jump off the blocks. That way you’ll be covered with anything to do with deep water.”

  “I suppose we could work something out.”

  “So, just come to the pool and practice. We don’t have to do anything further, but it would be such a shame to waste all the time you’ve invested. Think about it, okay?”

  Sophie sighed. “Fine.” She knew Eve was right, she had progressed and might as well complete the lessons.

  Taking on board Eve and Matthew’s words about practicing, Sophie went several times per week. The pool closed at nine and more often than not, only one staff member was left in the hour before closing to lock up the centre. So Sophie chose this particular hour to practice. It was a perfect technique for avoiding Matthew.

  Practicing alone in the pool, Sophie felt like she was trying to do some type of underwater dance where she didn’t know the moves. Coordination wasn’t natural for Sophie, she got muddled in the water, trying to stroke and kick at the same time. It was her persistence that kept her going. Without any type of grace she managed to swim one lap and reach the end of the pool. Finally she had achieved it, one full lap without stopping.

  Reaching the end of the pool increased Sophie’s confidence. The one lap without stopping soon became two laps. Then three. Then five. Then ten.

  One practice session, Sophie reached the end of the pool and noticed Matthew sitting on the pool step. She was so flustered she stopped her practice session and practically ripped off her bathing cap, and hoped her hair wasn’t sticking out in freakish directions. She removed her goggles and met his gaze, goggle free.

  His large blue eyes settled on her. “Congratulations, Soph. I think you can safely say you can swim.”

  “We all know why I can swim.” She ran a hand through her wet hair. “Thanks for helping and teaching me. I can only do ten laps in a row, but thanks again.”

  “Swimming is just inertia, isn’t it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re creating a habit that keeps you going in a straight line. So you’ll do seven laps today and ten tomorrow. You’re truly on your way to becoming completely comfortable in the water. Now that I’ve got you here, did you want to have any more lessons? I was hoping to teach you how to jump in from the blocks, face your fear of deep water.”

  “Thanks for offering, but it’s okay, I’m fine,” she said and shook her head. “I’m going it alone now.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “It would finish off the essential basic skills.”

  Sophie swallowed. “Eve showed me how to tread water and jump off the blocks. It’s probably best if Eve helps me out. After all, with Eve teaching me, it helps our relationship to remain truly professional.” She could barely meet his eye.

  A hurt look flashed across Matthew’s face. “You’re right, it keeps us much more professional.” He gave her a tight smile and then strode to the reception counter without saying goodbye.