Chapter 9: SWIM SWIM SWIM!

Kipwil had pledged, as part of her challenge, to swim one 50m lap of the pool for everyone who added themselves to her honour list.  The total came to 78 laps, and Kipwil was feeling overwhelmed.

I can't even swim properly yet! Kipwil thought to herself anxiously. How AM I going to do this?

Sergeant JFDI saw Kipwil sitting looking at her togs and goggles and strode over.

"Kipwil.  What seems to be the problem here.  We have a workout planned for today, yes?" he growled.


" Yes, we do.  But how about we go for a run instead? I have my children with me, it will be too hard to swim." Kipwil tentatively offered.

" WHAT!!!! Since when did this become negotiable?!  UP ON YOUR FEET SOLDIER AND GET READY! YOU WILL SWIM....Just Freaking Do It NO EXCUSES!!!!!" screamed Sergeant JFDI in his best parade ground voice.  Small birds blew out of trees from the shockwave, windows exploded and a small child began to cry in the distance.  Kipwil took all of a nano second to change, as did her children.  Then they marched to the pool.

The two children loved swimming and they leaped into the water, bomb diving and laughing.  Kipwil fussed about with her goggles and dipped a toe in the water.  It was COLD.  She turned back to her towel but found her way blocked by the intimidating presence of the Sergeant.

" ABOUT FACE! ENTER THE WATER AND BEGIN SWIMMING ON MY COUNT! 3......2......1.....NOW! MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT!" came the order, causing a small tidal wave at the edge of the pool.

Kipwil slipped into the pool and began to swim her first 50 m lap.  It was a long way away but she kept chugging away until she reached the end. She turned and breast stroked her way awkwardly back. She struggled but gradually her body became used to the temperature of the water and it felt pleasant.  She also found she was moving a little easier through the water and that she could almost say she was enjoying herself.  She reached the end and looked up into the face of the Sergeant.

" Again." was the only response.

Kipwil turned and completed another two laps and found that she was INDEED enjoying herself.  The water felt good, she was doing it!  It was slow progress and she wasn't putting her head under the water but she was doing it and not drowning.  The realisation that she was stronger than she thought energised her and in less than an hour, she had completed one kilometre of swimming....20 laps of the pool.

" Good work. We do it again tomorrow" said the Sergeant and he stalked off.

Kipwil spent some more time in the pool floating and playing with her children. She found she waslooking forward to doing it again tomorrow and again surprised herself.  A few months ago she wouldn't have been been caught DEAD in togs, let alone be able to get into the pool with the her children.

Kipwil did return the next day AND the day after that and swam a kilometre each time.  Swimming was becoming a pleasure and she was looking forward to it.

Weigh in day had come around and Cyril De Scales, who had recently undergone a facelift and upgrade was waiting impatiently for her in the bathroom.

" A little tardy Kipwil?  Did the meaning of punctuality completely slip your mind these holidays?" said Cyril, a little testily.

" I slept in Cyril, I didn't go to bed until late last night" Kipwil found herself explaining, then wondered why she owed a set of scales an explanation anyway.

" Well hurry up then.  You have your new baseline, after my regeneration, of 51.4 kilograms." sighed Cyril in a bored, uninterested tone.

Kipwil assumed position on the scales and was pleased to see that she had lost 1.2 kilograms. Must be all the swimming and running! she thought pleased with herself.  She made her farewells to Cyril, who was still grumbling about the ignorance of humans and Kipwil in particular.

Kipwil made her way to her river spot and spent some time gazing at the water and reflecting on her week.

Yes, there were moments she could've tried harder, or eaten cleaner.  She was glad she could recognise those moments, a few months ago, she would have been completely without a clue. All in all, it has been a good week and I am swimming!  Who'd have thought I'd be ever looking forward to it! Surprises just keep on coming.

What other surprises are in store for Kipwil?  What does the next week hold for her and her family?