by Lisa Walker
‘Yours,’ says Rosco.
Pulling the front of my board around, I glance behind my shoulder and paddle. The wave picks me up and, jumping to my feet, I glide down the black face. My body moves like it knows what to do.
It’s just like flying.
The sea is black, but beneath me an eerie green glow appears. It’s like I’m trailing luminescent paint. Phosphorescent algae, I think, but my heart whispers magic.
The wave breaks with a roar, catapulting me into blackness. I come up gasping, saltwater running down my face. I fling handful after handful of water into the air, watching it fall like glowing snowflakes. Green sparks flash around me.
I’m here. I’m back. I am Olivia Grace, private investigator, and I’m not going to let the weasels get me down.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to everyone who has helped me bring The Girl with the Gold Bikini to publication.
Wakefield Press has been a joy to work with. Special thanks to Margot Lloyd, for her enthusiasm and skilful editing.
In its early stages, this novel was supported by a Litlink Residency from the Varuna Writers Centre, which included invaluable advice from Peter Bishop. I also received sage counsel from Marele Day, on an even earlier version, through the Byron Writers Festival’s mentorship program.
The Byron Writers Festival staff past and present have been a source of support over many years.
My writing group—Helen Burns, Jane Camens, Jessie Cole, Siboney Duff, Michelle Taylor and Jane Meredith—provided support and advice over various iterations of the story.
Thank you to my agent, Jane Novak, for finding this novel such a perfect home at Wakefield Press and also for being such an insightful reader.
My family: John, Simon, Tim, Sue and all my extended family, too—thank you for your ongoing love and support.
And finally, thank you to my readers. I hope you have had as much fun reading The Girl with the Gold Bikini as I had writing it.
Author’s note
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