The cackling laughter follows her as Brenda ploughs on, breasting the chlorine-smelling water, leaving them in her wake. She manages eight lengths this time, a personal best.
“You are telling yourself these things,” remarks her therapist, gently. “How could we reframe that?”
“I don’t know,” she mumbles. “Pathetic middle-aged woman exposes overweight body in public?”
“Brave woman courageously takes up swimming to improve her physical and mental health.”
“Oh yeah. That.”
They are there again the next time. She smiles, walking past, and jumps in, splashing their perfect dry bikinis.