Page 49 of The Riviera House Swap
‘Only, I’m still the same person inside,’ Nina said, touching her chest. ‘A coward.’
‘That is ridiculous! You are doing so many brave things.’
Nina shrugged.
Sabine shook her head. ‘It makes me sad that you see yourself like this,’ she said. ‘But there are ways to build confidence.’
‘Your notes?’
‘Yes, perhaps. But other ways. By taking more risks and finding things turn out OK. Tell me, what is something else you wish to do but perhaps you feel too scared?’
‘Sky diving?’
‘OK, anything else?’
‘Rollerblading?’ she mooted.
‘OK.’ Sabine nodded, thoughtfully.
‘Cold water swimming?’
‘Yes!’ Sabine’s cry almost made Nina jump. ‘Yes, wild swimming in the sea, yes? I have done this and it is magical.’
Nina nodded. ‘See I’ve never dared.’
‘But it is not too late! We have definitely cold water here!’ Sabine said. ‘And we can go tomorrow!’
‘Oh I don’t think…’
‘Yes! I must leave soon. We have to seize the day. This will be good for you. For your confidence before you see Pierre.’
‘I just don’t think…’
‘No, it is settled. We will do this,’ Sabine nodded firmly. ‘And Nina, you will find your confidence.’ She passed Nina a sheaf of notes. ‘Now, let’s practice.’
In some ways, it was wonderful, having this strange, kind brother and sister duo helping her. In others, it was odd – she felt propelled forward rather than taking things at her own pace. But perhaps that was a good thing. Perhaps otherwise she’d never move forward at all.
26
‘Good morning!’
‘Wha… Where… Am I…?’ Nina shot up in bed, rubbing her eyes. The air was cold in the bedroom and even though her shutters were slightly ajar, there was no light yet visible outside.
Sabine stood in the doorway of her bedroom, resplendent in a pair of multi-coloured yoga pants and a baggy, white jumper. Her hair was gathered into a messy bun.
‘Come on lazy girl, it is time to get up! We must make the most of this opportunity!’ she cried. ‘Let’s go!’
Nina, still not one 100 per cent sure whether she was dreaming, gazed blearily at her new housemate. ‘What’s happened?’ she asked. ‘Why have you…?’
‘Pah! Nothing has happened. And nothing will happen if we stay in bed for all the day,’ Sabine said, scornfully. ‘Today, we are going wild swimming! Remember?’
Somewhere in the back of Nina’s mind, a memory stirred. ‘Today?’ she said.
‘Today. We talked yesterday, remember? This is the way you will find confidence. You will know that you can achieve anything!’
Nina remembered being vaguely enthusiastic last night, but the cold morning darkness had drained her of this completely.All I’m going to achieve is hypothermia, she thought but managed to stop herself saying.
‘Oh yes,’ she said. ‘But I didn’t realise we were talking about this morning specifically…’
