Horse Under Water

29 Entreaty

Giorgio’s head floated on my chest. ‘Hail Mary,’ he said faintly, ‘Hail Mary full of …’ — the sea smashed across his head like a beer bottle — ‘… grace the Lord is with …’ — he spluttered, coughed, and swallowed salt water — ‘… with thee. Blessed art thou among women …’ — Giorgio was lower in the water — ‘… and blessed is the fruit of thy womb …’ — so that I could hardly keep his head above the surface — ‘… Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us …’ The beach was ahead — ‘… sinners now and at …’ — the waves became breakers — ‘… the hour of our death.’

We were both spun under the surface. I felt the beach under my foot. Lost it. Touched again. A wave knocked us full length into the surf. I climbed to my feet, caught Giorgio under the armpits and dragged him inch by inch up the beach until he was clear of the sea. I was so heavy. Giorgio was so heavy. I wanted to sleep. I knew I must pump air into those water-logged lungs.

I rolled him over on to his face. His dentures fell into the spume.