by Phyllis King
Usually Sally didn’t contribute much to small talk, often amazed how being overweight could make a person invisible. Suddenly though, she needed to be included.
‘I thought I might walk up the beach every day.’
‘Good on you,’ Geoff commented from his deck chair, olive eyes on her as he sipped red wine.
Tony balanced a platter of biscuits and dips on his huge hands and offered them around the group.
‘Don’t think I’ll worry too much,’ he commented chewing a wedge of cheese.
Kate slapped him on the leg as he went past. ‘You are so lazy Tony Grafton.’
‘You still love me though, right?’
Amanda let out a trill of laughter. ‘You two make me sick,’ she said. ‘I need another drink. Anyone else?’
Michael straightened up in his chair. ‘Sure, I’ll give you a hand.’ He turned to Sally. ‘Want one love?’
She took in the sudden animation of his face, the smudged circle of red wine on his lips.
‘No thanks, I might head off to bed.’
Michael didn’t take the hint and kissed her on the head like a child as she passed by. Geoff appeared deep in conversation with Kate and Tony and unconcerned as his wife vanished into the bushes with Michael. It was the last image Sally had as she listened to the rhythm of the waves and the slap of the canvas walls before eventually drifting off to sleep.
Sometime later, it seemed like hours, she abruptly awoke aware Michael was still not beside her. Scrambling in the darkness she found her mobile phone and checked the time - 2.30 am.
Sally pulled on her track pants and cautiously opened the zip of the camper. Above her a million stars shone with clarity enhanced by the pristine air of the beach. Two voices punctuated the perfect silence, accompanied by the occasional harsh peal of laughter. Sally saw two figures sitting close together on the beach, wine glasses angled into the sand on each side. With a now familiar weight settling in the pit of her stomach, Sally forced herself back into the camper.
The next night, it happened again, only this time Sally saw Michael’s arm snaking around Amanda’s waist. Standing in the shadows of the bush, she became aware of another figure further along the sand. It was Geoff, his position betrayed by a glint of the dull moon on his glasses. For a moment, in shared silence, they caught each other’s eye before Geoff melted back into the bushes.
Sally never expected it to affect her so much - finally seeing the proof of what she had suspected for so long. Angrily wiping away tears she fought the urge to cross the sand and scream obscenities at her husband and the woman he now engaged in a lingering kiss. Wooden legs somehow propelled Sally back to the silent camper trailer where she leant on the canvas, stomach churning violently. Her fingernails clenched the fabric, embedding themselves. It was no use, Sally leaned into the nearest bush and vomited.
Michael was up before Sally the next morning but she decided not to seek him out. Instead Sally threw on a voluminous old T-shirt of fluorescent orange, and resumed her ritual pacing along the beach. The tranquillity helped galvanise her thoughts and she was surprised how far she walked before turning back.
Near the campground path, Tony stood on the beach, surrounded by various tackle boxes and patiently dangling a fishing line in the water. Sally was amazed at her ability to offer false cheerfulness.
‘Fish for tea?’
Tony grinned, dipping the rod as though just the mention of it had brought one on to the line. ‘That’s Kate’s plan,’ he said with a throaty laugh. ‘I think it might be easier to go to a seafood restaurant.’
‘Nice walk?’ Tony added. ‘You’re becoming a bit of a regular.’
Sally breathed the crisp air, ‘It’s soothing... and so deserted.’
‘Well you’re not hard to see with that shirt on,’ Tony commented winding his reel slightly.
Funny how Michael thinks I’m invisible then, Sally thought, clenching her hands to hide the sudden well of emotion.
Aware of a shape in her palm, Sally opened her fingers.
‘Look at this,’ she said revealing a toffee coloured shell edged with softly speckled serrations. On finding it at the point Sally fancied the beach had offered a reward for her aching calf muscles and heavy heart.
‘That’s a cowrie shell. You don’t find them very often. They’re good luck you know.’
Sally curved her fingers protectively around the shell. Good luck? That was exactly what she needed.
‘Where is everyone?’
‘Kate’s reading, I think. Geoff’s gone along the road to find phone service so he can ring a client. Not sure about Amanda or Michael.’
Sally nodded and knew Tony caught her sadness. She walked off abruptly, mind buzzing with what Michael and Amanda were up to, especially since he had sent Geoff off on work errands. Kate would hardly cramp their style either, once her nose was buried in a book.
Approaching the corner of the camper she could hear voices from the table in their annexe.
‘Never underestimate a fat person she says.’ It was Michael, derisory and smug.
Amanda’s laughter cut through her like a knife. Sally moved away, embarrassed by the ridiculousness of her own words.
She stumbled to Kate’s van finding her friend with glasses perched on her nose and finger poised on the corner of her next page of her latest novel. The smile she offered quickly disappeared when she saw Sally’s face.
‘Sally, what’s wrong?’
Sally squeezed into the narrow caravan seat. She pulled up the hem of her ridiculous fluoro shirt to wipe away the spring of tears, not caring what was revealed beneath.
‘Michael and Amanda.’ Their names were bitter in her mouth. ‘They’re having an affair.’
Kate was incredulous and shut her book with a jolt, the bookmark fluttering uselessly to the floor.
‘You must be mistaken Sally,’ she said, though the truth of it all was plain on her friend’s face.
‘How do you know? How long?’
Sally shrugged, glad Kate believed her and that she wouldn’t have to explain further.
‘How do you know? Where are they?’ Shocked, Kate stumbled over her words.
‘I just know,’ Sally said with sudden calmness. ‘But she’s not getting away with it that easily. He’s my husband not hers.’
‘Does Geoff know? What can I do Sal?’
Sally looked at her dear friend who was normally so coherent and found it within herself to smile.
‘Sorry Kate, I shouldn’t have barged in here like an idiot but...’ she trailed off uncertainly.
Kate placed a hand on her shoulder encouraging her to continue.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll talk to Michael tonight. We can sort it out.’ Sally clutched the cowrie shell in her hand. ‘Wish me luck’
The confrontation with Michael was brief.
‘Hi Hon, Amanda and I thought we’d go out snorkelling and try to spear some fish. Geoff has all the gear we need. He thought Amanda could give it a go but he’s not here, so I might,’ he broke off when he saw the chill in his wife’s face. ‘What’s up?’
Sally gripped the nearby table.
‘I know you’re having an affair with Amanda.’
The conversation was mercifully quick and involved no shouting or tears, though typically Michael was on the defensive.
Half an hour later Michael and Amanda could be seen wading through the shallows brandishing snorkels and spears. Amanda turned and waved cheerily back to Kate and Sally who stood together on the shore.
Kate was unable to control herself any longer.
‘What happened?’ she hissed.
Closer to the water, Tony still sat doggedly on the beach with his line, accompanied by Geoff who cradled a beer in one hand.
Kate looked as though she would burst.
‘Did you talk to him? Why are you letting them go off together?’
Sally laughed with unexpected lightness. ‘One question at a time.’
‘Sally!’<
br />
‘Michael’s promised to call it off. A stupid mistake, he said.’
Sally turned to her friend, absorbing the incredulous expression that twisted her face.
‘I know you think I’m pathetic Kate, but I’m willing to try and make things work.’ She straightened her shirt with a sigh. ‘Who else would have me?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Kate snapped. ‘You don’t have to put up with this garbage.’
‘I know,’ Sally admitted. ‘Look, I really appreciate your support but it’s alright, really. I’m sorry I even bothered you with it. Michael doesn’t want to make a scene now. He says he’ll talk to her in the morning when Geoff’s out checking on clients so...’
‘Should Tony and I make ourselves scarce?’
Sally placed a comforting hand on Kate’s shoulder.
‘No, really, I just want this all to be over and things to go back to normal. If you disappear in the morning it will seem a bit odd. Michael thinks Amanda will freak out so it’s probably better if you are around.’
‘If you say so.’ Kate wasn’t convinced. ‘Will he really do it?’
Sally sighed but put on a brave smile. ‘He promised.’
Morning dawned bright and clear as it had all week, with barely a breath of wind to ripple the placid water. Sally set off walking in her usual old fluorescent number, a relic from the eighties. She wore her iPod and sang along to Mamma Mia, toes digging into the damp sand to the tune of Dancing Queen. She intended to be in the best mood possible when she returned to camp.
Tony, despite several unsuccessful attempts at fishing, set up again with typical cheerfulness, determined to catch something. As usual Geoff had driven off to phone the insurance clients.
Determined to stay low profile when the inevitable confrontation between Amanda and Michael loomed, Kate busied herself by tidying the van.
Sally kept the cowrie shell in her pocket counting on its ability to bring good luck. Absently, she rubbed it like a magic lamp, her eyes focussed on the distant point of land. She decided to stay positive. After all, today was a new beginning.
About forty minutes later, back in her caravan, Kate prepared a cup of coffee for Tony who had returned from the beach for his ritualistic morning cuppa. Kate was considering whether to tell Tony of the complications in the lives of their friends when an agonised shriek from outside caused her to spill milk all over the tiny sink. It was unmistakably Amanda. But, instead of her usual laughter it was a harsher, more urgent scream. Tony and Kate looked at each other. Though Kate had promised not to intervene, she had never anticipated such a reaction.
Tony, sensing the urgency in the scream was already out of the van and running purposefully in the direction of Geoff and Amanda’s caravan.
Kate and Tony reached the door at the same time. It was flung open and Amanda’s face, contorted in horror, loomed over the naked body of Michael, crumpled on the unmade bed with the shaft of a spear sticking vertically out of his chest. Unseeing eyes stared at the ceiling with frozen surprise as a red stain spread on the white quilt beneath him.
I didn’t think she would take it so badly, Kate thought ridiculously.
Tony swiftly snatched the spear-gun from where it lay on the floor by Amanda’s feet. Stupid really as it was now rendered useless. Grabbing his phone, Tony stabbed his fingers at the emergency number before realising he had no service.
Amanda had morphed into a state of shock. She pushed Kate aside, stumbled down the van steps and ran haphazardly over to the beach. Once there she started wading frantically out to sea, water splashing up wildly on to her skirt.
Determined not to let her escape, Kate followed the hysterical figure into the water. In the distance Kate could see Sally’s orange figure walking slowly back to the camp, blissfully unaware the woman who was having an affair with her husband had just murdered him.
One year later
Sally relaxed on the blue tiled terrace and peered out at the Mediterranean.
One of the old Greek ladies from the bakery had just delivered the most spectacular fresh bread and now joined her on the terrace sipping iced tea. Sally was now accustomed to the fact that Sophia typically wore black, much like the feisty Greek women in Mamma Mia.
‘You have done wonders to this place,’ Sophia intoned slowly, unfamiliar with English until recently.
Sally leaned back into her chair and smiled. Never underestimate a fat woman.
Odd how those words still found their way unbidden to Sally’s lips. In fact, they had entered her head several times since the funeral and intense police investigation.
It was stress that eventually caused her to leave Australia, or so Kate and Tony said as they waved her off from the airport three months ago. After all, who would want to stay behind and live with such memories?
Especially with the papers still featuring follow-up stories on Amanda’s trial. Unbelievably Amanda’s now sallow face continuously vowed her innocence. Everyone agreed Sally had suffered enough. First the affair, then the murder...
Sally looked around her new home. Luckily, being in the insurance game, Michael had always insisted on a hefty life insurance policy for himself.
Kate still phoned occasionally. She had been a kind and trusting friend through it all, believing every word Sally said about the conversation she had with Michael that day at Burner’s Beach. In reality the snake had no intention of calling off his affair with Amanda. It didn’t matter really, as long as Kate believed that Michael intended to.
And dear Tony, such a creature of habit with his fishing and morning coffee break. Once he saw Sally set off for her walk, his use was over. It was a bonus that stupid Amanda had led Kate back to the beach after Michael was dead and she saw Sally striding back from the point. Except it hadn’t been her had it?
Sally stretched her feet on the tiled floor. You have to love a perfect alibi.
‘Tell me about the beaches in Australia?’ Sophia asked, always eager to hear of Sally’s faraway homeland.
‘They’re beautiful,’ Sally remembered fondly. ‘You should visit sometime.’
‘I see you walking on our beaches,’ Sophia padded her rounded stomach. ‘That’s why you stay so thin. I think I eat too much bread.’
Sally smiled, some habits were hard to break. She still occasionally wore the orange fluoro T-shirt for old time’s sake, one of the exact pair she had in her cupboard. Amazing, Sally reflected often, how very unobservant people were when they saw things from a distance.
Thoughtfully, Sally sipped her tea. She would never forget the look in Michael’s eyes when she shot him through the heart with the spear-gun that still conveniently bore Amanda’s prints.
Never underestimate a fat person.
It had been amazingly simple, a matter of hiding in the bushes a little way along the beach and hurrying back through the patchy scrub. Waiting amongst the branches by the van she shrouded her hands in plastic bags to disguise any prints and felt the weight of the spear-gun that had been left resting against a tree. The soft moans and gentle movement emanating from the caravan caused Sally’s anger to fester and boil beyond redemption. Michael was so disgustingly predictable.
As hoped, Amanda exited the van to visit the drop toilet. With stealthy movements uncommon in a woman of her size, Sally entered the caravan and swiftly finished a chapter in her life. She was out and running back through the bushes before Amanda had even unbolted the toilet door.
Sally nibbled slowly at a biscuit. She still harboured slight regret that Kate and Tony had to see Michael like that. They had unknowingly been such an integral part of the plan but the horrified look on Tony’s face when she returned to camp after completing her apparent walk, face slightly reddened from exertion, still brought about a twinge of guilt. Still, after months of pretending to be useless and downtrodden, Sally had played the part of shattered wife to perfection.
Then poor Tony had driven out to contact the police and come across Geoff, supposedly returning from mak
ing phone calls along the road that bordered the scrub. Little did Tony know it was a surprisingly short walk through the trees to the beach near the point. And who would have thought she and Geoff fitted into the same size shirt? While Geoff ground the sand from his shoes into the car floor, Tony was so focussed on the tragedy back at camp that he could hardly bring himself to speak. In the back room of the white-washed Greek house, an iPod dock was clicked into life and the Mamma Mia soundtrack was dispersed by whirring ceiling fans throughout the open house. Sally looked over at Sophia. How patient the Greeks were not to tire of Meryl and her friends.
