It wasn’t as if she had a winter and summer wardrobe. She put her summer frock in, a couple of fine-knit cardies, her vests, pants, socks, a nightie and one pair of cropped trousers. In London, any variation in the weather simply meant wearing more or fewer layers: the actual clothes remained pretty much consistent. It was therefore without heed to the heat of the Caribbean that she folded her dress and underclothes and laid them on top of each other. If it was too hot, she would simply leave off her stockings. Her one concession had been the purchase of a bathing suit. It was navy with large white spots on it and a pretty bow that sat just beneath her bust. As she fingered its thin straps and high-cut legs, her breath blew out like cold smoke in the chill of the autumn morning; she couldn’t imagine wearing it.The first plane was big and noisy – not that she cared; she had far too much to occupy her mind. It was amazing and unbelievable to think she was actually making the journey.
