She wore a summer dress the breeze pressed against her body. I could see through the light material that she wore nothing under the dress. I also knew, from the way she stood there, hand shading her eyes, as she looked towards me, that she knew I could see she looked naked under her dress.
She smiled. 'Good morning.'
'Good morning.' I walked up the dune towards where she was standing.
She let her hand drop, letting the warmth of the sun bathe her upturned face. As I drew closer, she turned to watch me.
'You always walk along the beach this time every morning.'
It wasn't a question, but I nodded. 'I've seen you here too, up on these dunes as I pass.'
'I've been watching you.'
'Oh?' I turned and walked back towards the sea, away from the dunes.
She pulled off her sandals and ran, sandals in her hand, to catch up with me. 'I wanted to meet you.'
I glanced at her, then turned to watch a seagull swoop down on some detritus. 'Why?'
'I've read your books.'
I stopped walking. 'Ah.'
'I liked them.'
'Thank you.' I took a few steps further.
'Especially Meeting on a Beach.'
I stopped, turned.
She was looking at me with that intensity again, eyes shaded with her free hand, the other holding the sandals at her side.
'You know,' she said. 'The one that begins with a man and a woman – two strangers – meeting on a beach.'
I nodded.
'Her name... the woman in the book, her name is Maria... my name is Maria, too.'
'I know,' I said.
Then I held out my hand to Maria. After a moment's hesitation, she put her hand in mine and then our story began.
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