Making a SPLASH

Her husband's suggestion was exciting - but could Shirley really take the plunge?

- Barbara Kilpatrick

Happy birthday, darling. Now close your eyes and put your hands out in front of you.’

Pete sounded even more excited than Shirley. She had a few ideas of what her gift might be – the gold bracelet she had spotted in the jewellers, perhaps. A cashmere sweater. Or the beautiful, but rather expensive handbag she’d been dropping hints about. It was a special birthday, after all.

Pete carefully placed the package onto Shirley’s outstretched hands. It felt larger than she expected, but not overly heavy. ‘Is it that coat we saw in the boutique? You shouldn’t have. Or that lovely dress?’

‘Well… it is something you can wear. Open your eyes and unwrap it.’

Shirley giggled with anticipation as she tore off the paper. She looked down. It was some sort of black garment with colour trims, arms and legs and a long zip, and it slithered from her hands onto the floor.

‘What on earth is it, Pete?’

‘It’s a wetsuit!’

‘Oh.’ Shirley tried to hide the disappointment in her voice. ‘Um… thanks.’

‘You said you wanted a wetsuit. We were coming back from the beach recently and we’d been paddling in the sea, and you said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to swim in it? But not without a wetsuit.’ And you’re always saying how much you loved swimming in the sea as a kid and…’ Pete was floundering.

‘That’s true, Pete, but…’