The prologue is told by a third-person omniscient narrator. A man watches a woman standing in the ocean as she gathers her skirt above the surf. The man moves closer and sees she is wearing a silver necklace. As he watches her touch her hair, he thinks, “If you’re going to do it” (2). The undertow is strong much like the invasive thoughts in his head. Just as she notices him, he hears the voice in his head telling him to do it now.

The novel opens in Evelyn Bay, Tasmania, where 30-year-old Kieran Elliot and his partner Mia are enjoying a day at the beach with their three-month-old daughter Audrey. As Kieran feels the bracing cold of the ocean water, he hears his brother’s voice in his head telling him that living in Sydney has made him soft. Kieran hears a voice call out and sees his friend Ash approaching with his dog. Ash is taken aback by Audrey’s beauty. Kieran and Ash reflect on their love of swimming in the frigid water, their favorite activity after a soccer game.