Every so often, I hear from fellow wetlook lovers through the Internet and they share their stories with me. This is the tale of Louise, who one day thought she had the opportunity to 'sample' a nearby river. It didn't work out as she hoped, unfortunately.
I first found that I enjoyed getting wet when, on a school tour last summer, we had a gigantic water fight in which at least 10 of us got drenched. Some of the others weren't too happy about it but I thought it was so much fun and I actually didn't mind that my clothes were totally soaked. It seemed like a weird thing but then I went online (anonymously) and discovered that there were entire websites dedicated to wet clothes enthusiasts. Hiding my true identity at first, I got to know people who often got their clothes wet for the thrill of it, including the lovely Taylor who I'm sure you'll know if you're reading this. She was among many who would get in the bathtub or the shower fully clothes as if it was an everyday thing, which to me seemed crazy! But it also seemed fun and I wanted so badly to try it.
I knew, though, that my parents would freak if I got caught and that my friends might look at me differently if I talked about it. Then, last week, the weather was unusually warm for this time of year, and one day I was left all alone, so I thought 'Will I go for it?' Our shower is giving trouble, though, and we've no bathtub, but there was a river nearby which was usually rather quiet. I decided to dress up in a black long-sleeved top, tracksuit pants and striped socks and go to the river. By which I mean go into the river. With all my clothes on.
I blissfully walked to the river, finding an ideal entry point where the water was quite shallow but got gradually deeper. I waited for an oncoming walker to pass me out first and, once she had led her two small dogs a safe enough distance away, I slipped off my trainers and got ready to literally dip my toes into the water. However, there were houses whose back gardens faced the river and I noticed a resident in one of them appearing on his balcony, seemingly staring out at the river. I thought that if I could see him, he would definitely see me. I also realised that he knew my parents pretty well and, if he did notice me swimming around in the river fully clothed, Mum and Dad would find out quite soon. Again I had to bide my time before he disappeared, and by that stage there was a guy cycling towards me. Frustrated, I put my trainers back on and set off to find somewhere quieter. Even though I couldn't see anybody staring out of the houses along the river, I wasn't to know whether someone would be able to see me through a window. It was just too risky.
A few hundred metres further along, and a gentle slope upwards, I noticed a series of steps leading directly into the river. This surely was perfect! There were no houses and I didn't imagine too many people climbed down those steps, particularly if they were out walking. There was the possibility of passing walkers looking down at where the last step met the water, but it was a small possibility. I felt confident enough to try it and so I walked down the few steps. About halfway along, I heard voices. I listened as they drew nearer before I saw a group of rowers practising on the river. They would definitely see me. Once again I had to wait until they passed, but even when they rowed past me and came to a stop before turning half-circle, I believed I was still in sight.
I sat down on the steps, as if I was out for a walk and taking a rest to contemplate. On the outside I'm sure I looked relaxed, but inside I was growing increasingly impatient. Yes, the weather is gorgeous, but why won't people just take their hobbies elsewhere and leave me to swim around in the river? Of course, I could have just said 'To hell with it' and dived in anyway, but I'm way too self-conscious for that. If I didn't give a damn about being seen, I'd have gotten my clothes wet so many times that I'd nearly be bored of it by now. I couldn't believe this rare perfect opportunity was being taken away from me.
The rowers passed me out again in the opposite direction, so I waited another five minutes or so until they disappeared from view. Just then, I saw two teenage boys almost directly across from me preparing themselves for a good day's fishing. There was no way now I'd be able to go into the river unseen. By now I realised that I had wasted almost an hour trying to get wet but not having the courage to go through with it. Well, it wasn't that I lacked courage. I just wasn't brave enough to risk getting on the wrong side of my parents, or being talked about by the whole community. After all, I live in a small, gossipy village in the south of England, the type of place where a person would die and the entire village would know within 30 minutes. There were no secrets here.
I trudged back to my house with disappointment. There would be no getting wet today. I could always just buy a two-litre bottle of water and pour it over myself, but it wasn't the same. Nor was there anybody around to have a water fight with. I envy all of those who can just throw themselves into a body of water in all their clothes and not care who sees them or who finds out. They would have gone for it that morning, unlike cowardly me. But my chance will come. One day, there will be nobody at home and nobody down by the river or looking out their back windows at me. Those rowers will stay away and the junior fishermen will go elsewhere for hake or salmon or whatever they were after. That's the day when I will swim in that river with my clothes on. I just hope it happens soon.
If you liked Louise's story, I hope to add some more in the next few weeks. Hugs to Louise and my wetlook friends!
xxx
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