She wasn’t in the mood for being seen, however, so she climbed up the cliff path to the south, wincing with each step. Instead of heading out to Sharker’s Rock, she took a fork leading further south, over the top of the headland and down into the neighbouring valley. Here, a grey sand, mostly shingle beach was accessible only via a steep path, meaning it was usually deserted. Grace climbed down, feeling more peaceful with each step as the curving crescent of deserted beach came up to meet her.
The sea was a calm lake. A couple of seabirds bobbed just offshore, before taking suddenly to flight, engaging in a brief squawking argument and then flapping off towards the headland. Far out to sea, a fishing boat moved imperceptibly slowly across the horizon.
Grace stripped down to her swimsuit
