Page 65 of The In-Laws

Katie’s smile faded. ‘I’m trying to be better. Lucy is still so cross with me, I’m hoping the swim will shock me into behaving like a grown-up and not slag off my mother-in-law.’

‘It was kind of fun to witness all the same.’ Amanda grinned.

‘Not as much fun as the song you wrote.’ Melanie cracked up. ‘I have to hand it to you, Amanda, the lyrics were brilliant.’

‘I had a lot of fun writing it. I only wish I’d been there to see it,’ Amanda said.

Katie put her bag down on a rock. ‘Nancy didn’t even crack a smile, but at least she said that I hadn’t hurt her relationship with Lucy or Jamie. If she wants to snarl at me for ever, I’ll suck it up.’

‘You’re lucky Jamie was so nice about it. I don’t think Ross would ever have forgiven me.’

Katie pulled off her tracksuit bottoms. ‘Jamie was furious at first, but I think when he saw me making a total fool of myself trying to apologize, he took pity on me.’

Melanie stood with her towel on her shoulders, shivering. ‘He adores you.’

Katie unzipped her hoodie. ‘I honestly don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s my rock.’

‘Right, let’s do this,’ Melanie said, flinging off her towel.

‘I hadn’t figured you to be a swimmer.’ Amanda was really surprised by Melanie’s hardiness.

‘I was brought up in Sligo, so I surfed a lot when I was younger. I’m well used to cold water.’

‘Well, I grew up in Dublin and thought that only people who were seriously unhinged swam in the sea,’ Katie admitted, as she pulled on a cap. ‘But I loved swimming when I was younger. Mind you, that was in pools. I figure the cold water will be my punishment, so let’s do this.’

Amanda stood at the water’s edge, watching her sister-in-law plunge in, squealing as the cold water hit her.

‘Oh, my God, it’s freezing … but also kind of amazing,’ Katie panted. ‘Just do it. Come on. I promise you, it’s such a buzz.’

Amanda stood by the wall, wrapping her cardigan tightly around her. ‘No way. You’re mad.’

Melanie walked to the edge and dived in – like a dolphin. Amanda was shocked.

‘Bloody hell, you’re a dark horse.’ Katie whooped, as Melanie appeared beside her.

‘Us Sligo girls are well able for a bit of cold water. Besides, Sloane’s mad into sea swimming so she’ll be very impressed with me when I tell her I’ve been in for a dip.’

Amanda watched her sisters-in-law. They were laughing and having fun. She was, once again, on the sidelines. She had to make an effort if she wanted to connect with them. They were her lifeline here in Dublin, she needed them, and she was growing to like them.

‘Come on in!’ Katie shouted. ‘Be brave!’

What the hell? Before she could talk herself out of it, Amanda yanked on her togs and walked down the steps into the cold water.

Sweet Mother of Jesus, it was Baltic! She shrieked with fright.

‘Keep moving, breathe slowly, you’re okay. It’s just the cold water giving you a bit of a shock,’ Melanie reassured her.

Amanda tried to slow her panicked breathing. She copied Melanie and Katie, and slowly her body adjusted to the water temperature and her breathing became less shallow.

‘How the hell is this supposed to be relaxing? I almost had a heart attack,’ she puffed.

Katie laughed. ‘It’s all about the breathing. Also, apparently, you do get used to it. Keep moving. I don’t feel the cold half as much now.’

‘I’m not sure this is for grown-up me. It’s a lot colder than I remember as a kid.’ Melanie laughed, as she swam in circles to keep from dying of cold.

Amanda was feeling marginally less cold, but not by a whole lot. Her body was tingling in a strange way and she definitely felt awake and alive.

‘Okay, I’m getting out now,’ Melanie said.

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