Sunday at training camp consisted of group seminars in the morning and one-to-one discussions between players and coaches, followed by a closing lunch. Katie left early to complete her afternoon and evening shifts at the pool. She couldn't really contribute much to Sunday, but she was thanked again by the staff for her help, and the players had enjoyed her company too. She had enjoyed herself. She was sad that tomorrow was her last day at the pool. On Wednesday she was back to college to start her second year.

One of Roy's seminars that morning was about club engagement with the community, taken by the staff from the press office. It wasn't long before one of the players mentioned Katie, and that inviting guests to camp was a good example of what they were talking about. Roy got a bit of teasing about his delightful "lifeguard" girlfriend, and several lads said that they too intended visiting the pool with Roy tomorrow, on their day off, to see her on her last day there and have a swim. Roy wasn't sure, but he suspected that the caravan site were going to do something to mark her leaving. The head of press relations sounded very interested. "The Bears could get involved in this too!" he mused, "Let me go and make some phone calls!" He quickly spoke to several members of the first team, and within half an hour had promises from two top stars that they would attend, if required. He phoned the caravan site. Geoff, the manager, was at home on Sunday morning, but when he heard that the Bears press office was looking for him he called the back the number left for him straight away. He confirmed that he intended giving a presentation to Katie, her colleagues at the pool were all coming and he expected most of the staff on the site to attend. He described her as an exceptional employee and how her work had been greatly appreciated by so many people. The press officer offered a goodwill visit from the Bears, with two star players who were both household names and a number of the junior squad. "I could invite the press if you like!" Geoff jumped at this, with the thought of first class free publicity for the business. "Fantastic!" he replied. They quickly settled on details, 3:00 pm at the pool; he would close it all afternoon as it would be dead quiet at this time of year anyway. "Not a word to Katie!" they both agreed as they went on to devise a detailed plan. The players would not breathe a word either. The press officer called back his stars, and everything was confirmed. So the seminar wound up with an event booked to show the club engaging with the community, and with Roy sworn to silence. Geoff had signs printed to up all around the site, "Pool closed on Monday from 12:30 pm. Last swim twelve noon, open again Tuesday evening!"

When Katie arrived there on Sunday afternoon, she saw these signs and thought that some maintenance work must be planned to take place on her last day. She phoned Roy to tell him and asked him to pass this news onto his squad buddies. She didn't want them all turning up when it was shut. Geoff popped in and said that she could finish early tomorrow at three, and he would pop in after two o clock to say goodbye. Katie told him excitedly about the lifesaving course she was enrolled on, and might there be a chance of a job back here again next summer? Geoff said that he would welcome her back, and if he could offer her any shifts over the winter he would. This was unlikely because there would be few visitors now until April, and from tomorrow the pool only opened in the evenings and at weekends.

Katie attended work as usual at nine on Monday morning. It was much busier than a normal Monday morning, nearly all the regulars who came during the week made the effort to come that morning; some just came in just to see Katie and didn't even bother to swim. A large collection of farewell cards filled the desk and she was given a dozen gifts, bunches of flowers, chocolates and soft cuddly toys. Someone even gave her a lifeguards' flotation device! She was starting to feel quite emotional. So she kept herself busy over her last lunch hour, polishing the lockers and sprucing the whole place up, just as she had done for the last twelve weeks. Two o clock came. She just had to wait to see Geoff now, and then she would go home. Geoff arrived about twenty past. They sat and chatted, he told her how much she had been valued and he went over some of her more memorable incidents, helping the disabled swimmer into the pool for her first swim in years, helping mums and babies, being a drenched wench (twice) and just being so friendly and helpful to everyone. Pool attendance figures were up 30% this summer, and Geoff told Katie that she had played no small part in this. She wondered why he was being so particular to check all these details with her, and she wondered when the maintenance contractors were going to arrive. She thought that he was just passing the time with her until they did.

Then people started to come in, bar staff, restaurant staff, office staff, grounds staff, receptionists. Then George, Kevin and the other attendant arrived. Everyone gathered around the entrance and desk, admiring her gifts and reading her cards. Katie realised that something was going on and that it was probably to do with her. What happened next left her totally gobsmacked. The doors opened and a group entered. The two men in front wore very flashy waistcoat suits and ties, they were very big men and their faces were bronzed and vaguely familiar. There was another executive type with them, and a man with a pass saying "press". Why was another man carrying a tripod and with loads of equipment on his shoulders? They couldn't be........were they two Bears forwards, Roy's idols? Oh God, there's Roy! What's he doing here? And then half the junior's squad from camp appeared. What on earth is going on? Geoff and the executive type were in urgent conversation and suddenly Geoff took charge. He sent Roy and the other nine lads to get changed. "But the pool is closed!" Katie thought to herself. Geoff moved the reception desk out, and the executive type helped him to arrange all her cards and gifts into a lovely display. Katie just wanted to go somewhere and hide, but Geoff turned to her, "Katie, we're just doing a small publicity thing, you're kit's well worn and faded, would you put on some new uniform for a photograph, before you go?" Katie was relieved to hear that it was a publicity thing, and nothing to do with her, and so she readily agreed. Geoff handed a new red gym skirt in a polythene package and a new yellow top. "These are ones we had made for an open day, a few years ago!" he told her. The Bears stars were talking to everyone, posing for lots of selfies and signing autographs.

Katie waited until there was a spare cubicle. Roy appeared, in smart gym shorts and Bears t-shirt. "What on earth's going on?" she demanded of him. "Dunno!" replied Roy, "We were just told to come here for a picture! I thought that was why the place was being closed! I thought you'd be gone by now!" The juniors came out one by one, all in outfits matching Roy's. Katie did as she was asked, and went in to change. She had her black bikini on, so she could have changed in a corner anyway because she was keeping it on under her new uniform. The new kit was bright and fresh, the top was long sleeved with a neat collar. It was much better quality than her work t-shirts, it had "Hill View Holiday Park" printed in bright red down the front. It was a bit tight, but it just fitted. The words "Hill View" stood out, wrapped around her chest, and the words "Holiday Park" were in slightly smaller type below. "Just like Geoff!" she thought to herself, "To get me to pose in this for a picture!" She got her shoes and socks back on and returned to reception. A camera was set up and everyone was packed around looking at her. Geoff approached her and shook her hand. "Now Katie," he began, "You're leaving us today, and we've arranged just a little celebration to say goodbye to you!" Katie was dumbstruck. Geoff went onto to give her lavish praise, "You know," he said, "For us, temporary staff are a total unknown. You're taking a chance. Some last a day. Some last two days. Some of them do some work. Some of them don't do much. But Katie..." he went onto to describe how, from day one she had thrown herself into her job, cleaning polishing, tidying, no job was demeaning to her. And how her first class, yes, first class customer service skills had made her a hit with everyone. He told the stories of her helping the disabled swimmer into the pool for her first swim for years, of her helping mothers and babies and being good to everyone. Pool numbers were up thirty per cent this summer! And then he started joking about Katie just loving the water, and any chance she got, she was in there! "She's from a family of true amphibians!" Geoff quipped. "She likes the water so much, she willingly got drenched on Open Day, then went and did the same again the next week, raising hundreds and hundreds of dollars for charity!" Katie felt tears welling up. "So we've come to say a big "Thank You"" Geoff continued. The staff had all subscribed to a gift for her. He presented her with a shopping token for another $200 and a year's free pass for two at the pool! He explained how they all hoped that she would return next summer, if not for odd shifts before, and they hoped that she would come in for a free swim too!

"Thank you, thank you all for coming! Thanks for all this!" Katie couldn't think what to say. She was frightened that she was going to start bubbling any second. "Thank you again, really, I have enjoyed nearly every minute working here, thank you!" "That's all you need to say!" someone shouted and there was a long round of applause. Then the executive type arranged them for the photos, Katie stood with the two Bears stars on either side of her, nearest to the camera. They shook her hand, clapped her around the shoulders and wished her well. Geoff stood beaming, beside the executive type, behind and to the side. The table with everything given to her was neatly displayed. The juniors crouched and stood in perfect formation behind it. Everyone else was packed into the background. The photographer took loads and loads of pictures. When he had finished (for now) Geoff whispered into Katie's ear, "Got your swimsuit handy, Katie?" and she whispered back, "Yes, I've got it on!" "Great!" Geoff continued, "Can you slip off your shoes and socks?" Katie blushed, "Am I going in?" she asked. Geoff squeezed her hand, "Wait 'til you see your guard of honour!" he promised. Katie felt a bit excited. She'd love to go into the pool, even in front of all these people!

Geoff took charge again, addressing everyone. "Now remember what I was telling you about Katie? She just loves being in the water! Whenever I used to hear that an attendant was in the pool, I'd rush down, in case something was wrong! But when Katie is on duty, if I hear about an attendant being in the water, I know that it's our Katie, and she's either helping someone, joining in the fun or she just likes a swim! But I do still check that she's alright!" he added. "And the thing is, she's always got her kit on! She can't wait to get in, so she never bothers to change first!" Everyone smiled and clapped. "So today, Katie, we've arranged for you to enjoy a farewell dip on your last day!" Katie started to giggle. She liked the sound of that, and she wasn't going to bubble now. The juniors (Roy included) all marched forward and Katie noticed for the first time that they had bare feet. They formed two columns of five and entered the pool down the steps until the first two of each column were waist deep in the pool itself, and the others stood side by side, in pairs, on each step. They all raised their arms towards the lad opposite, to form an archway between them. "Let's invite Katie to take one final dip!" Geoff announced, offering her his hand and pointing towards them. "But I've still got these new things on!" Katie said innocently. Geoff beamed again, "Now Katie," he joked, "You have never, ever worried about getting wet before! I would just carry on if you want to!"

Katie giggled again and decided to just enjoy the moment. She walked the few paces to the rails. "Just wait till a moment, Katie!" Geoff called, as the photographer lifted his tripod nearer and set himself up on the poolside, just a few feet from her. Everyone else crowded around behind him, to get a better view. She looked at Roy and giggled again, as she saw the warm water lapping at his t-shirt. A couple of minutes later and the photographer was ready. Katie covered her face with her hands and started to go down the steps, between the two rows of players, under their arms and almost brushing against them. There was dead silence except for little splashing sounds as she took each step, and on the third one down the water swirled around her skirt, which started to float out beside her. Then she stopped as the lads closed in a circle around, the two beside her dropped down into the pool in front and the others now above her all came one step further in. She lifted her hands from her face and she felt excited as she watched the warm water soak into their pristine shorts and the bottom of their neatly ironed t-shirts. The camera was clicking away. "Good Luck Katie!" the squad said together then all of them simultaneously started splashing her with both hands. She laughed and giggled as a huge shower of water went over her from all sides. On and on it came. Her top took a lot of wetting; it was thick fabric and resisted the water, only gradually becoming completely soaking. Her skirt absorbed the splashes immediately and clung to her while she pushed the floating bits down into the pool. She swept back her hair and straightened her dripping collar, noticing that the players were all just about as wet now as she was. She pulled her dripping sleeves half up. "In you go. Katie!" Geoff suggested. Katie squeezed through the lads in front and pushed off the bottom of the pool; dipping right under first of all and then swimming a gentle breaststroke to the other side and back. The camera flashed as she rose back to her feet, catching streams of water falling from the words, "Hill View." Her top was good enough material to be not see-through at all and did not show any hint of Katie's bikini, not even the outline of it. But her bikini top lifted her boobs tightly against it and as Katie stood there, her figure (which had always looked pretty good) looked sensational. The camera still clicked away. "Katie!" the photographer called to her, "Can you dip yourself in and stand up again?" She did this another twice while he framed the perfect shot, catching a wide grin on her face, her arm furthest from him raised while she brushed her aside her fringe, water streaming from her hair, her other arm behind her for balance and her drenched top stuck tightly to her. Her head was tilted upwards and her chest pushed forward, but this appeared as a perfectly natural pose and not at all as if she was pouting for the camera. What an advert for Hill View!

Then they all got out and Katie wrapped a big towel around herself. She spoke to nearly everyone there. The lads all got changed and the Bears contingent waved and left. Roy said that would call her later. Geoff took the pressman for a cup of tea in the restaurant, where they checked over his story. "Keep that kit handy for when you're back!" he called after her, as they left. The photographer packed up. A couple of folks placed her flowers carefully in newspaper and wrapped all her presents into bags, and then at last Katie went to change out of her wet things. After showering and dressing Katie emptied her locker, for the last time, and put her wet clothes into another bag. She was going to call a taxi when Geoff returned to give her a lift home with all her things. She gave him a peck on the cheek when they arrived, "Thanks for everything!" she said. Geoff asked her that if there was a good press photo, could he use it in an advert? Katie agreed. Roy phoned soon afterwards, "Did you plan all that?" Katie asked her, and Roy explained how the idea had just come about.

The next morning the city's mass-circulation tabloid had a three-inch column under the masthead, beside the main story. There was the picture of Katie, rising from the water, with the words "Hill View" catching the eye on her wet chest. The caption underneath read, "Bears Stars Help Katie Make a Splash, Pages 16-17." The whole middle spread of the paper was devoted to her story. The headline ran over both pages, "Bears Stars Say Farewell to Katie at Hill View Holiday Park." The script started with a paragraph about the two Bears forwards and highlighted the club's commitment to the community before mentioning their next home game. Then there was an accurate resume of Geoff's speech, quoting the same anecdotes and highlighting in bold type that Katie had been a drenched wench twice! It didn't say anything about her swimming in her kit, but did go onto explain that Katie was given a guard of honour by the Bears junior squad, into the pool for a farewell dip! There was a quote from one of her university chiefs, urging local employers to consider hiring students, and saying that this example showed how a first job could bring so much benefit to businesses, young people and to the community at large. There was a quote from the city's head of tourism, praising the role of small businesses in this sector. There was a quote from the Bears press office, saying how much their players had enjoyed the afternoon. Most of page 16 was a huge picture of the presentation, showing Katie and the Bears stars at the front with and everyone else behind. The main picture on page 17 was a much-enlarged version of the one on the front page. The caption below read, "Katie Makes a Splash at Hill View." There was another smaller picture on page 17 showing her standing at the top of the steps, before she went in, with the young squad in front of her; their archway of arms leading down the steps and in the pool.

Katie got up really early on Tuesday, as soon as the morning papers were due at the nearby 24-hour store. "Wow", she thought, as soon as she saw the front page. She couldn't believe how much coverage there was. And they were really happy pictures of her, especially the one in the pool. It cheered up many a weary commuter that day. She read it all and read it again about four times, before returning to the shop to buy three more copies. The assistant behind the counter gave her a puzzled look, "You've just been in for the paper, haven't you?" she asked. Katie pointed to the picture on the front page, "That's me!" she replied in a squeaky little voice. "Oh," the assistant replied, "That's fantastic!"

She phoned Roy, he had seen it too. "Well done," he said, "You're a star!" He had to go into training soon. Later on, she phoned Geoff, the manager. He was over the moon with the publicity. She gave her agreement, again, that her picture could be used. "I'm running a paid-for advert in the paper, at the weekend," he explained. "Your picture will be perfect to draw attention to it!" Katie mailed a copy to her parents. Her phone started getting messages from her college friends, back in the city for the start of term. What a fine send-off it was.