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confusing absence of strength.
While I make only a few paces of progress, Benedict Finch stands up and peels off his school
sweatshirt and top, and then his trousers, shoes and socks. He’s wearing swimming trunks. He smiles
at me and says, ‘I’m going to take a dip,’ and still I can’t move any faster. I haven’t even covered half
the ground between us.
Benedict Finch strolls towards the doors that separate the café from the pool outside, and
disappears through the glass, ghost-like. I reach the doors just after him but I’m trapped behind them. I
hear Emma say, ‘Jim, we’ve got to get him. I don’t think he can swim.’
Outside Benedict Finch is standing on top of a very high diving board. I don’t know how he got
there because I can see that it’s been cordoned off, and the ladders removed. I bang on the doors, I
shake the handles and I shout until I’m hoarse, but Benedict Finch, bold as brass, jumps, and it’s then
that I realise the worst thing of all, which is that there’s no water in the pool. None at all.
And I can’t look. I pull Emma into my arms.
Of course then I wasn’t dreaming any longer. I was awake, and I’d woken Emma up and I had to say
sorry and I told her it was three o’clock in the morning and she should go back to sleep.
She didn’t though. After a while, she said, ‘Jim? Are you awake?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m bothered by Rachel Jenner. There’s something about her.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She’s unstable.’
‘I know.’
‘Even her sister seems to treat her like she’s made of china or something.’
‘What’s your point?’
‘I don’t trust her.’
‘Do you think she’s harmed Ben?’
‘I don’t know. It’s just a feeling right now. But I think she could have done.’
‘Trust your instincts. Talk to Fraser about it, and keep your eyes peeled when you’re with the
family. If Rachel Jenner’s done something she might well let it slip.’
‘I am already. I will.’
I reached over and ran my hand up and down her arm, then let it rest on her skin, which was always
perfectly soft. I felt myself getting drowsy, but after a while Emma got up. ‘Where are you going?’ I
asked, and she said, ‘I can’t sleep. I’m going to read for a bit next door. I’m fine. Go back to sleep.’
After she left, I was asleep again in moments, my hand resting on the warm spot on the bed where
she’d been.