Chapter Twelve

Part One

The sun was well up by the time Kate opened her curtains. Looking out at the shimmering water beyond the trees, Kate realised just how much she needed some quality thinking time. She headed for the waterline and the swinging lounge with a steaming cup of coffee in her hand. Immersed in the natural beauty of Alegria, she sat in the dappled sunlight, letting the sounds of the lapping water massage her mind into a relaxed state where it functioned at its best. A balmy breeze washed around her, banishing the last cool air of the morning as she gazed out at the water, sipping her coffee and thinking.

Starting with her arrival on Alegria, Kate recalled and reflected on every conversation and interaction, examining her own actions, thoughts and feelings as objectively as she could. She considered the very direct and logical advice offered to her by Natalie and Dom. She thought…   >> MORE <<

Part Two

Waking in a comfortable and warm fuzz, she met the early pre-dawn twilight with a giggle. Kate rarely went back to sleep once she’d woken up. Stretching and sighing indulgently under the covers, she celebrated how blissfully comfortable she felt. The sky was soon painted in garish colours as the eastern horizon grew brighter; a display that seemed to be celebrating her new life with her. Small patches of mist clung to the surface waters of the lagoon, flaring gold and pink against the still dark water as dawn broke.

Rising, she had a hot shower that complemented her mood perfectly. The morning was still a little cool, but held the promise of another warm day. Kate wore her swimming costume under her clothes and almost skipped along the ring road to Natalie’s cabin. There was a note on Nat’s open front door…   >> MORE <<

Part Three

She giggled, looking like a cheeky teenager for a moment. ‘They’ve told me that the three of us are going away for my birthday this year.’ Natalie sighed, looking into the distance for a moment before looking back to Kate with a far-away smile.

‘How will I know?’ Kate asked, her voice small.

Natalie’s voice was strong and clear. ‘Kate, do something for me. Stand up.’

Curious, Kate stood.

‘Close your eyes… thank you. Automatically and freely, raise your right hand to your chest… with your thumb and index finger; firmly pinch behind your right nipple and hold your grasp constant.’

In the face of her curiosity, and Natalie’s compelling instruction, Kate found herself doing as Natalie asked…   >> MORE <<

Part Four

The runners stormed in only a few minutes later. Rick and JC came in neck and neck. They stopped under the bar and bent over double, fighting for air. Dom and Juanita raced in next, followed by Edison; Mason brought up the rear and he raised his hands in surrender, gasping, ‘Go.’

As one, the competitors jumped to hang from the overhead bar. JC called a cruel cadence as they all pumped up and down, dropping to continue the same cadence for their push-ups. The only concession to Juanita was one less chin-up and two less push-ups per set. The women watched in fascination as muscles rippled and sweat poured.

Edison and Juanita both dropped during the fourth set, and Dom dropped two sets later when his last chin-up simply wouldn’t happen. Now it was just Rick and JC, working like machines…   >> MORE <<