Published: 2 Feb 2026

At the Graham’s bar;

Eight o’clock on a Saturday night and the Graham bar is quiet, most likely because of the weather, as it has been pissing down with rain since the game against Wondecla that afternoon. Some of the Wondecla team decided to stay with mates in town instead of pushing off probably because it only took a slight shower to make the way home almost impassable, especially with the low bridge over Rocky Creek with its planking no more than a couple of feet above the normal water level. They would bunk-in with local family or mates until the weather changed.

Five past eight and Grady arrives at the Graham bar, he quickly scans the bar and the tables though the fog of cigarette smoke but there isn’t any sign of Biff. Should he get a beer or take a table and wait.

Grady takes the table they use when the bar is busy, believing possibly with Biff’s somewhat erratic behaviour of late he may not arrive at all.

If it is a quiet night and depending on how many turn up the gang would drink at the bar listening to the banter from the cattle men. The farmers are usually more reserve; many being of Italian extraction with English as their second language, besides they are more interested in rain gauge readings and the price of tobacco leaf than general chatter, besides most of the local humour falls flat, or simply isn’t funny in translation as Italians don’t appear to understand irony as calling your mate an old bastard is far beyond friendship.

Grady decides to wait for Biff before getting a drink.

Two of the Wondecla team are at the bar with Tubby Blake, one of the two spies Grady, speaks to his mate and with beer in hand approaches.

“Grady Dowie,” he warmly says then sits without invitation.

“Bob,” Grady greets.

“Not celebrating?”

“I’m waiting for someone.”

“You played a blinder of a game today.”

“I had too as we didn’t have our champ playing.”

“I guess you mean Brian Bastian, I hear he’s given the game away.”

As Bob Carruthers speaks Grady spies Biff’s arrival.

Biff comes directly to the table, placing his hands firmly on Bob Carruthers’ shoulders he speaks to Grady.

“What’s this Greedy, conspiring with the enemy?”

He gives Carruthers’ shoulders a gentle squeeze.

Carruthers quickly turns, “Biff I hear you are leaving the team?” His question is more in hope, as during past games Bastian had been his nemeses.

“The name is Brian to you Mr. Carruthers, you haven’t earned the right to use that name, when you beat us in a game then you can have naming right.”

Carruthers collects his beer and expresses to Grady, “I’ll leave you to enjoy your win,” he returns to his team mate at the bar.

“Aren’t you drinking Greedy?”

“I was waiting for you.”

Biff’s eyes are about;

“Where is everyone?”

“While I was showering after the game I heard said they wanted to meet at the Royal but as you had already suggested coming here and Dad is at the Royal I thought I better come here and wait for you.”

“How did Carruthers know I’m leaving the club?”

“He was talking with Tubby I would think he told him and by now the obvious will be common knowledge.”

Biff glances across to the bar and sees Tubby who posts a smile while lifting his beer glass towards Biff.

“Can you get the drinks mate; I don’t think I want to listen to Tubby’s advice tonight.”

Grady goes for the drinks and immediately Tubby has questions for him.

“With one game remaining in the season and against the leagues number one do you think you can talk Biff into playing for old time’s sake?”

“I doubt he would listen to me.”

“I hope you can’t,” Bob Carruthers says, “if you lose than it will take us off the bottom.”

“Two beers,” Grady orders.

“Good game Greedy,” the barman complements as he pulls the beers, “it’s a pity we’re losing Biff.”

Back at the table Biff appears fidgety.

“What’s wrong with you tonight?”

“Nothing but let’s move away from the gaze of that lot of monkeys at the bar.

Grady complies.

“You do realise I am going to ask?” Grady disregards his own advice as they find new seats.

“What question would that be Greedy?”

“Where have you been since last Monday?”

“I needed to think about something also a little project that’s in the pipeline.”

“What project would that be?”

“Something that may or may not happen in the future that doesn’t concern anyone.”

Grady takes a mouthful of beer; folds his arms and drops his head slightly askew;

“Well?” Grady quietly says as going this far with the questions he may as well continue.

“Well what?”

“Aren’t you going to share this project of yours?”

“Let’s say if it ever eventuates you will be the first to know about it.”

“For the moment I’ll accept that.”

“You have no other choice; also you are the first to know I’ve dropped Trish.”

Grady’s mouth falls open;

“Why would you do that, I thought you were the perfect couple?” Grady lies as he never believed they worked as a couple, Trish was much too gentle of spirit for Biff’s brashness.

“Just reasons,” Biff says and put hand in pocket, he draws out a crumpled note, “get a jug this time, I’m in the mood for drinking.”

Grady gets the jug of beer and returns;

“What about Tony’s wedding, you do realise both you and Trish are invited as a couple.”

“I realise that; a lot can happen in a couple of months.”

“You say you needed to do some thinking, is it anything to do with what you mentioned when I walked you home after dinner on Sunday?”

Biff appears surprised;

“I don’t recollect, what did I say?”

“You were on about what I wished to do in the future.”

Biff laughs;

“Did I say that?”

Grady’s expression is positive.

“In a way I suppose it is but more about something that has been bugging me all the way through high school; even further back, as for the business it’s just that and no one else’s business.”

“What is bugging you Biff?”

Biff pours the beer from the jug assuring to slant the glass to form the perfect head.

“If I recollect you worked the seventh grade hols’ for Pollards store?” Biff recalls.

“I did but what’s that got to do with it?”

“It’s a dusty old barn of a shop.”

“It is.”

“Then like his dusty old produce – shelve it, as it doesn’t concern you.”

‘That’s a strange metaphor,’ Grady thinks, “fair enough,” he says as Luke Bevin approaches their table.

“Biff,” Bevin rests his hands on the spare chair.

Brian gives a nod of acknowledgement.

“Do you mind if I interrupt?”

“I’d rather you didn’t if you are going to prattle on about me leaving the team.”

“Nothing to do with your decision to leave; a few of the lads are going down the coast for a little fishing on the long weekend and wondered if you would be interested.”

“Is that Brownie’s suggestion for a piss-up?” Biff asks.

“No Tubby Blake made the suggestion.”

Grady is quick with a reply, “count me in.”

Biff is hesitant, “would they want me to come seeing I’ve been called a traitor?”

“Shit Biff, we’ve all been mates since way back when. The boys may be disappointed with your decision but I don’t think anyone is going hold leaving the club against you.”

“Alright pencil me in as a yes with reservations.”

Satisfied with Biff’s answer Bevin returns to the bar to hook up with Tubby.

“I saw Bruce Menzies at the game,” Biff admits.

“Oh yea,” Grady gives a slight frown wondering where Bruce Menzies fits into the conversation.

“Did you speak with him?”

“Nope, I don’t think we have anything to talk about.”

“What did happen that caused the mystery around Menzies’ return?”

Biff shrugs away Grady’s question.

“Is the rumour about Menzies taking your place in the team true?” Grady asks.

“Could be; I’m not the coach, besides it’s no longer my problem.”

Obvious anything further to do with the mystery surrounding Menzies would continue also Biff isn’t prepared to share more on his disappearance, instead Grady returned to Biff ending his relationship with Trish.

“On another matter, why did you break up with Trish?”

“Is it any of your business Grady?”

“Trish is a friend so yes it is my business not to see her hurt.”

Biff releases a growl from deep down in his chest, “you know something Grady you have always been inclined to ask too many questions.”

“And you inclined not to answer.”

Biff lowers into obvious annoyance.

Grady backs off with a smile – “still friends?”

“Yes Grady; still friends but leave off eh’.”

“Last drinks,” the barman calls.

Already the crowd had thinned to a few diehards.

“Suppose we better make tracks,” Grady suggests as he downs the dregs in his glass.

“Suppose – Ron said you offered to help me fix the car.”

“I did and have asked Jack if I can use the garage and he said as long as it is in my own time and I clean up afterwards.”

“I would like that.”

“Come on lets piss-off before Clem throws us out.”

Outside the weather is holding and the rain is as heavy as it had been all afternoon with the gutters overflowing almost to the bar’s doorway. Even with the rain the atmosphere is warm akin to tepid bathwater.

Tubby Blake has his car directly out front and believes he has a divine right to that parking spot. His motor is running as he leans across the bench seat lowering the passenger window;

“You girls want a lift?”

“No thank you Tubby,” Grady declines.

‘He’s drunk,’ Grady thinks.

“No thank you mate, I need the air,” Biff comically replies although he is tempted but as Grady had already declined he concurs.

“Air you call it,” Tubby laughs and quickly rewinds the window as rain commences to wet the seat, “Grady I’ll see you at training,” Tubby calls in the singular seeing Biff had left the team, then sinking the peddle to the floor the car slides sidewards on the greasy road, he soon rights the vehicle to straight before taking the first corner onto the main road.

“We should have accepted his offer of the lift,” Biff suggests.

“He’s been drinking all night, probably since winning the game. I would rather be wet than dead.”

A quick dash for cover under the first shop awning hoping for a pause in the weather long enough to reach home, instead if anything the rain appears heavier.

Biff projects his arm out into the rain, “wet,” he says, “how about calling a taxi from the telephone boxes at the post office?”

“We would be soaking by the time we reached the telephone boxes, so we may as well walk.”

“And enjoy the ambience,” Biff drolly suggests.

“Ambience!”

“That’s the word.”

“Fucken’ ambience you call it!”

“It’s as good a word as any unless you can think of a better one.”

“Nope, ambience will do,” Grady agrees.

Biff returns a cheeky smile as he leads the way into the weather – “come on lets enjoy the ambience.”

A few steps and the boys are soaked;

A few more steps and they hear the distant screeching of car tyers followed by a loud crashing sound, then silence.

“What was that?” Grady gasps, his head turning sharply towards the crashing sound.

“It sounded like a car accident.”

“Should we go and see what happened?”

“It is in the opposite direction and someway off, come on get moving I want to get out of this weather.”

The head says hurry although neither could become more soaked, so with their collars turned they continue through the rain.

Crossing the open ground behind Pollards store towards the railway station Grady gives a chuckle as he feels a rivulet of rain water descend down his back towards his arse crack.

“What’s got your funny Greedy?”

“The rain has reached my bum and it tickles.”

“I could make a suggestion.”

“Go on.”

“When we reach the rail tracks where it is darker we could go naked until reaching the street lighting at the top end of Strathman Street.”

“I don’t think so,” Grady discredits although a little devil that lives in us all is saying – go on it could be a laugh.

“Na’ you’re right it was a silly idea,” Biff agrees.

Almost home without undressing;

“Question,” Biff says as they reach his house gate and by now neither felt concerned as once saturation is reached the walking took away the chill.

In a weird way being wet felt comfortable akin to wearing a favourite overcoat.

“Go on.”

“If I recollect correctly, during dinner at your place, you said you have someone lined up for a partner to Tony’s wedding.”

“I did say that but I haven’t asked her yet.”

“Who is it?”

“Roslyn Dobson.”

“Do you mean the fat chick with all the dyed red hair from the drapery shop?”

“She’s not that fat, chubby maybe, besides it would only be for Tony’s wedding, then like what you have done to Trish, I can drop her.”

There is a sting in Grady’s reply and Biff realises his friend’s intimation.

“Anyway enough of it, tell me all about it another time when the sun’s out, I’m going in; I’ll give you a bell tomorrow night.”

A moment’s pause;

“Good night.”

“Yes good night,” Grady concurs.

Without further Biff has gone.

Grady hesitates at Biff’s gate becoming overwhelmed by the sensation there is something tugging deep down in the pit of his gut but he can’t bring it into language.

Is it Biff leaving the club?

Possibly the secrecy of him disappearing for a number of days and now returned refusing to share his reason.

Grady often attempted to analyse emotions, it was from something he read in one of his mother’s monthly magazines. The article warned about suppressing sentiment by analysing its source but standing in the dull lighting thrown by a distant street lamp, soaked through with a chill developing and rain drops patting at his head he realised he hadn’t the ability to give his emotion rhyme or reason.

Grady walks on.

The only sound is the squelching of rain water in his boots.

‘Everything is changing,’ he thinks.

‘And I don’t like it.’

Grady arrives home to find the house in almost darkness and his mother sitting alone nursing a gin and tonic with only a dull side light illuminating the living room.

The radio is tuned to ‘Music towards Midnight,’ and almost inaudible, what little ambiance there is could be described as lamentation.

Karen appears to have been crying but manages a weak smile as Grady enters into the room.

Grady you’re wet and dripping across the carpet.”

“I’ll go change and dry.”

Ten minutes and Grady returns;

Now the lamentation is gone and Karen appears a little brighter.

“Where is everyone?” Grady asks.

“Lewis and Robyn are in bed and your father has gone out.”

‘Another row,’ Grady thinks.

“Are you alright mum?” Grady asks.

“Yes I’m alright Grady.”

“Was it dad again?”

Karen releases a deep sigh and with it her depression appears to evaporate as if Grady’s presence is enough to sweeten the evening.

“Yes the same old argument I’m afraid.”

“What would that be?”

“Don’t concern yourself as it has been going on even before you were born.”

“Is it to do with me?” Grady quietly questions.

“Never you Grady and don’t you think for a moment you are to blame,” Karen finishes what is left in her glass and fixes another drink.

“I don’t know,” Grady says.

“What don’t you know love?”

“Firstly it’s Biff with his bloody secrets. I feel as if the whole world has things I don’t need to know.”

“You will need to understand the sin of the parents is not that of the children,” Karen releases another of her famous sighs, takes a sip and puts the glass aside, “enough of that,” she says.

“You are correct mum, I don’t understand.”

“Never mind, did you find out why Brian disappeared?”

“Nope and it appears that is also a secrete I don’t need to know.”

Gary’s stories are about life for gay men in Australia’s past and present. Your emails to him are the only payment he receives. Email Gary to let him know you are reading: Conder 333 at Hotmail dot Com

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