The Drowning by Bryan Brown

Author:Bryan Brown [Bryan Brown]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2023-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

And then it did end. Just on two as they emptied out of The Basin and onto the street. In dribs and drabs. Shouts and yells and ‘see yous later’ floated up into the early morning night.

Brian led a fairly intoxicated Nolene to their van. He knew he was okay to drive. Five drinks in eight hours wouldn’t move the needle anywhere near the limit. As he helped Nolene into her seat, Wanda shouted out ‘goodnight’ from the front of The Basin with a cheeky smile. Brazen, he thought, and tempting, as he threw back his ‘goodnight’.

Leila caught Brian’s ‘goodnight’ as it landed with Wanda and right away the bell sounded. Ding. Of course, Wanda and Brian. It had to be Brian’s van. Naughty Brian. Naughty Wanda. Leila smiled. There was so much more she’d learn about the goings-on here on the coast. She couldn’t wait.

Guests ambled across the road, filling cars or wandering off to nearby homes.

Adrian and Sheila wandered off into the night and into the park. They found a tree to slip behind as they embraced and passionately kissed.

He was watching.

He was watching Leila.

And Leila was now back at work, clearing up. Picking up glasses and emptying leftover plates of food into the bin.

He was annoyed at that. Leila cleaning up. She was a queen. Queens do not clean up everybody’s shit.

Conchita and Benny and Ken stood talking. Most had left but a few were hanging about on the footpath in front of The Basin. Conchita hugged Benny and then took Ken’s hand and they walked out onto the street.

They stood talking for a while. It was obvious some sort of decision was being made. And then Conchita dragged Ken into the park.

Benny was carrying boxes of empty champagne bottles to the lane at back of The Basin. All the bins were stationed there in their various colours denoting glass or paper or household rubbish.

They’d all be packed full for Monday’s council pickup.

Leila was in the kitchen stacking and unstacking the dishwasher. The two of them had been at it for an hour and the place was starting to shape up.

Floors would need to be washed and tables cleaned, but Benny had organised a team to come in at five to deal with that.

Finally, Benny sat down at one of the tables. He called Leila over.

‘You did a great job, Leila. Hope you had some fun.’

Leila joined him at the table.

‘Yep, had a lot of fun. Lot of fun. Thanks, Benny.’

‘You can lie in tomorrow. Sorry, today. Your day off. What you going to get up to?’

‘Sleep, I reckon, and then the beach.’

Benny told Leila she could finish up and head home. Leila argued that she was happy to keep helping but Benny insisted.

Leila grabbed her backpack and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

‘’Night, Benny. It was a great party and Conchita was so happy. Lovely thing to do. I’ll see you first thing Monday morning.’

And then Leila went out the front door of The Basin into the dark.

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