by Rebecca Grice

Heard of that old shack by the beach? Well, even if you haven’t, then that’s my place. I live there alone with Mum. I spend all my hours over the road, down by the sand dunes, but that’s okay. I love it down there. On hot days the water’s great for a swim. I get the bay all to myself because everyone else seems to hand around the other end.

‘Hey, Charlie. Looks nice for a swim down there! Wanna come?’

‘Yep,’ I say, staring at the calm water out the window.

‘Your togs are on the washing line. I can get them if you like.’

‘Yes please’.

A few minutes later I hear a ringing sound coming from the lounge. It’s Mum’s phone. The back window by the washing line is open so I call out,

‘Mum, your phone’s ringing’.

She swings the back door open again.

‘Catch!’ she says, chucking my swimming shorts at me.

‘Otis is coming around,’ Mum says, barely interested. ‘Oh, and bring your togs,’ Mum shouts into the phone.

Otis and I are best friends. Him plus me equals mischief.

‘Can I take Max down?’

‘Yeah. Guess so,’ Mum replies. Max is our dog.

The hot sand gritted underneath me.

‘Let’s get in the water,’ Otis says.

We run up the wharf, bare footed.

‘Three, two, one!’

We dive into the clear, blue salty sea.

‘Ah!’ I say with fright. The water is freezing!

‘It’ll be okay once you swim around a bit’, said Otis looking a bit shivery himself. Max pounded in, joining in the fun. Well, at least it’s fun for him.

‘Stop it!’ He was splashing cold water ripples all over us.