A sequel to ‘At the Turning’

Published: 10 Jan 2019

Wayne had financial business with his accountant to attend to in Cairns, so they decided to drive up and stay the night at the unit. Also his agent wanted to show some people who were interested in its purchase through the apartment, although Wayne was now having second thoughts on parting with it. He no longer wished to live there but found it convenient for the times they travelled to Cairns. With that decision there was a realisation, being he was expressing, they and we, more often and not the singular self or I, day by day thought by thought he was becoming with Ralph a singularity.

“So you will come with me up to Cairns for a day or so?” Wayne asked while gathering documents together.

“Are you going for business?”

“I only have to see my accountant, some business I’d rather not do by telephone, I guess it will take no more than an hour.”

“For how long will you be up there?”

“Overnight, maybe an extra day but no longer; I would really love you to come along.” Wayne placed some papers in a leather satchel he kept for such purposes and placed it aside; folding his arms across his chest he waited for Ralph’s decision.

“Will you visit Louise while up there?” Ralph asked.

“Not likely, that is no longer an option even if I was inclined to do so – why do you ask?”

“Of late you’ve appeared restless.” Ralph acknowledged.

“I have a lot on my mind and a number of decisions to make.”

“Is staying here part of those so called decisions?” Ralph softly offered, trying not to appear too intense.

“Indirectly maybe but I wouldn’t concern yourself. I am sure everything will pan out well for both of us. Eventually.”

“Eventually is a long time.” Ralph stipulated.

“Maybe not as long as you may envisage but don’t let it worry you.”

Ralph stood from the table, “guess I should do the dishes.”

“I’ll give you a hand.”

A smile and a teasing remark, “like an old married couple.”

“Yes I guess so but a little less of the old thank you Mister Matthews.”

They arrived in Cairns before midday and Wayne went directly to his appointment, while Ralph cautiously and reluctantly took the car into town to collect an order for Wayne. That evening they revisited the House on the Hill restaurant as Ralph had become accustomed to the taste of mud crab.

Jeremiah was on duty and showed them to their table. “If I didn’t know better Mister Jenkins I would think you two were an item.” Jeremiah suggested in a whisper close by Wayne’s ear. Ralph overheard and blushed. The waiter winked.

“As I said before Jeremiah, not everyone is like you.” Wayne protested but accepted the suggestion in good humour.

“As a matter of fact Mister Jenkins, I have met my man.” Jeremiah admitted with much pride, “He’s a country boy from the Tablelands,” he cheerily appended.

“Where would this lucky fellow be from?” Wayne asked more out of being polite than any need to know.

“Yungaburra,”

Both Wayne and Ralph turned to each other, while having the same thought – neither spoke.

“What’s his name?” Wayne eventually asked as Jeremiah pen in hand hovered over his order form. Now they were interested.

Steve.” The waiter answered.

“Just Steve?” Wayne asked cautiously as the realisation commenced to unfold.

“Stephen Henderson.” Jeremiah proudly disclosed.

“I am sure you will both be happy.” Wayne concluded as the waiter took their orders to the kitchen.

“Well I’ll be buggered.” Wayne laughed once Jeremiah was out of hearing.

“Shush he will hear you!” Ralph warned but was equally indulged.

Moments later the waiter arrived back at their table with a bottle of wine. He uncorked it and as Wayne preferred left the bottle opened on the table. “Just a warning Mister Jenkins, Louise had booked a table for two for eight thirty.” Wayne checked the time, it was now almost seven and he guessed they would be finished their meal before she arrived.

“If you want we could cancel and go somewhere else.” Ralph suggested perceiving a measure of concern in Wayne’s attitude.

“No if she arrives and we are still here too bad. If she’s booked for two I guess she will be otherwise occupied.” Wayne shrugged and poured the wine. “Don’t worry I can handle Louise.” I can handle Louise, his words resonated around inside his head, could he? Was it possible to handle Louise once her heat was up?

“Sorry Ralph, would you prefer beer?” Wayne asked.

“No I’ll have water I’m not in a drinking mood.”

“Maybe I should also.” Wayne called the waiter.

“Jeremiah, would you cap the wine, I’ll take it with me.”

“No Wayne,” Ralph protested, because I’m not drinking doesn’t mean you shouldn’t, besides you like a glass with your meal.”

Wayne paused and reversed his suggestion.

It had just turned eight when Louise arrived early and was having an altercation with Sally the night’s waitress. Wayne could not ascertain what Louise was saying, although it was loud enough for most in the restaurant to hear. He did discern the words ‘I booked for,’ and what sounded to be eight o’clock but Sally was adamant the booking was for eight thirty and there wasn’t a table ready but Louise wasn’t prepared to let it rest and was still arguing when Lewis Pittard, obviously her date for the night, arrived behind her and attempted to take the heat out of the argument, without success.

Lewis Pittard had been a mutual friend while Wayne and Louise were dating. Wayne often believed there was more than a casual friendship between them and had only tolerated Pittard to appease Louise and keep the peace. Pittard was a weed of a man, somewhat older than Wayne with drawn features like a rat. His hair was a dusty blond and hung untidily about his weak elongated face; while his washed out blue eyes, almost gray displayed absolutely no character. He was a yes man who appeared to like being dominated by a partner, being considered as his last relationship ended because of that very suggestion.

Pittard wrapped his arms around Louise’s waist and whispered into her ear. She shook him off and returned to her demanding. Showing mild shock, Pittard withdrew to distance and with folded arms awaited the outcome.

“Is that Louise?” Ralph asked being encouraged to do so by Wayne’s attention to the situation.

“That my friend is Louise,” Wayne shook his head feeling reprieve that he no longer had anything to do with her but as he watched all the worse moments of their relationship came flooding back, “and that fellow who has the features of a rat is Lewis Pittard and believe me he is a rat and a spineless one at that.”

“She’s carrying on a bit.” Ralph stated as he finished his meal.

“You watch, she will get her way, she always does, next she’ll remind the waiter her father has shares in the restaurant.” Wayne shook his head as the ashen white that had controlled his face commenced to fade.

“Does he?”

“Among other things, yes.”

“Are you alright?” Ralph asked somewhat concerned for his friend’s ambience.

“Sure have you finished?” Wayne asked. Ralph said he had.

“Let’s leave – watch this.” Wayne called Jeremiah to his table. “Jeremiah as quick as you can bring the bill and then offer this table to Louise.”

“Are you sure Mister Jenkins?”

“Quite sure.”

Wayne paid the bill and left his usual tip while encouraging Jeremiah to approach Louise while still arguing with Sally who was displaying the night’s booking details, “That doesn’t mean anything, someone has entered it incorrectly.” Louise hissed at the poor girl.

“It wasn’t entered incorrectly you know,” Jeremiah protested softly as he stood by the boy’s table, “I took the booking myself and repeated it back, you need to do so with Louise as this isn’t the first time there has been altercation.”

“Quickly Jeremiah go and offer this table.”

Wayne watched as Jeremiah interrupted, declaring that someone was leaving early and suggested that Louise could have that table, with this Louise made some comment to Sally and followed Jeremiah to Wayne’s table. By the time they arrived both Wayne and Ralph had stood and collected their belongings.

“Evening Louise,” Wayne greeted, “Lewis.” He nodded to Pittard without showing sentiment. Pittard remained listless and silent while Louise’ mouth fell open.

“We have just finished, so I suggested that you could have our table.” Wayne declared magnanimously, laced with a touch of sarcasm. Louise remained silent.

“Oh rude of me, Louise meet Ralph Matthews, he bought Grace’s farm.”

Louise gave a gaping nod while Pittard stood at distance trying to be obscure.

“Good evening Louise, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I bet you have.” Louise growled.

“I do hope the two of you enjoy your meal.” Wayne declared as he turned to Pittard, “Are you still driving that old Mercedes?” He asked. Pittard nervously confessed with what could be more described as a yelp than a word of agreement.

“Good night.” Wayne gave a slight nod of the head and left.

At the door Ralph enquired why Wayne had asked about Pittard’s car.

“That my friend was to worry him, last time I was here with Louise she keyed my car, so now he will worry all through his meal wondering what I’m about to do to his.”

“What are you going to do?” Ralph asked.

“Nothing – but I was impressed with your greeting to Louise, very much not Ralph Matthews.”

“Sorry it slipped past my guard.” Ralph answered apologetically.

“Don’t be, she will be wondering all night what I’ve told you. It will do her good to worry now and then.”

Back at the unit Wayne poured a drink and appeared somewhat shaken by the night’s ordeal, quickly swallowing it he fixed a second and a short while later a third. When asked if it was because Louise had arrived with another bloke, Wayne confessed he didn’t care who she went out with but seeing her arguing with Sally brought back all the negatives in their relationship and he disclosed there were many. Ralph helped himself to a beer and sat beside Wayne on the couch.

“I agree I don’t think you should sell your unit.” He said attempting to divert Wayne’s thoughts from Louise.

“I thought you didn’t like it.”

“I don’t and it is not my concern, though it is useful when you come up on business and who knows what the future may hold.”

Wayne thought for a moment, “That’s good as I have already decided not to sell.” He finished his drink and poured another. Wayne gazed into the contents of his glass, “Do you think I drink too much?” He asked then downed his drink without waiting for the answer.

“It’s not my place to comment.” Ralph said, while smiling at his own can of four-x beer.

“No really, I don’t want you to think I’m turning into your step father.”

“Well in general I don’t think you do so but you do hit it when you have a problem.” Ralph offered.

“I do eh, now I feel merry and don’t seem to have a problem.” They both laughed and although Wayne had declared he felt a little intoxicated, he still helped himself to another but this time added a mixer. He relaxed back into the couch watching Ralph.

“What?” Ralph enquired, feeling Wayne’s gaze upon him as if he were searching for something, some unknown quality hidden deeply behind Ralph’s green eyes.

Wayne was smiling broadly but didn’t answer. Ralph repeated his question, “What?”

“You know Ralph I like living with you.”

“I don’t know how to answer that.” Ralph admitted.

“No need to but I wouldn’t say it if I were sober.”

“Does anything else go with that statement?” Ralph asked.

“No, I suppose I would have to be much drunker to go further but I have had enough to share something with you.” Wayne spoke, his thoughts lost deep within the mixture in his glass.

“What would that be Wayne?”

Wayne held his reply but there was necessity in his posture – eventually he spoke.

“Often I feel I don’t belong in this time but somewhere past, possibly in the time of our great uncles. Sometimes I can almost smell the past, hear their accents and relate to their humour,” Wayne took a deep breath and released it slowly, “I know it’s only the grog and it can bring on melancholy, or as in my case, a longing for something that cannot be.”

“I can relate to that.” Ralph concurred.

“I guess it sounds somewhat silly but not only because of Lachlan and his life in words, it is as if I have been waiting for that moment all my life.” Wayne released a nervous chortle and fell silent.

“None of that sounds silly to me Wayne, in some ways you have just described my thoughts and sentiments.”

“Enough of that, on a happier note it was a good night. I even enjoyed watching Louise squirm.” Wayne lifted from his glass, pushed it aside and beamed the biggest grin he could possibly muster, “so that’s it all in a nutshell Ralph Matthews and I think I’ve had enough to drink.”

“Well my almost drunk friend, I’m off to bed.” Ralph disclosed.

“What would you like to do tomorrow, maybe go out to Green Island on a boat cruise, or we could go snorkelling out on Maori reef. Maybe scuba diving, there are a number of wrecks that are interesting,” a smile of memory, “I actually managed to have Louise go scuba diving but she was more interested in the boat party afterwards, and watching the young fellows strip from their wet suits.”

“Sharks,” Ralph simply answered.

“Yes I guess there are sharks but hundreds go out every day and nothing happens, why are you concerned?”

“I don’t like sharks.” Ralph admitted with a shudder.

“How would you know, have you ever met a shark?” Wayne mocked his friends fear.

“I’ve seen the teeth in the jaw bones they sell to tourists, that is enough. Some you could put your head in and still have room for your shoulders.”

“So we could go to the Tablelands, or maybe up to the Daintree, or are crocodiles also on your no go list.” Wayne teased.

“I guess we should be heading back, we can’t leave the horses for too long.”

“I could give Biff a call, I’m sure she would look in on them.” Wayne suggested.

“Maybe next time, let me ease into things.”

“Sure no rush, I was thinking of entertaining you, I don’t need to do anything.”

“Well appreciated and I promise there will be times but I’m off to bed we can talk about it in the morning.”

“Funny kid,” Wayne decided not to continue drinking and capping the bottle he placed it aside, while tipping the remainder in his last down the sink.

Turning out the lights Wayne opened the door to the apartment balcony and stepped into the tepid Cairn’s night. Stretched before him was the sweep of Trinity bay and its semi-circle of light, while below a boisterous crowd of tourists left the Tropicana Nightclub in search of further entertainment, soon found in teasing a group of natives camped on the foreshore, who retaliated with much swearing and shouting and a barrage of poorly aimed beer cans.

The group moved on down the beach towards the late night restraints and bars and the many sellers of tourist trinketry. Shirts with designs of crocodiles, palm trees, coral islands or Australian flags, others with the city’s name in bold lettering, also shell beads and a host of objects, purchased as mementos of their tropical holiday but if any were smart enough to glance at the label or makers name, it would read, made in China. Once bought, taken home and given as a token of one-upmanship, soon ended in garage and street sales or opportunity shops. The thought was worth a smile and Wayne felt most pleased to be away from it all.

If there was any part of living in Cairns Wayne missed, it was seated on his balcony with the Cairns night below and a cool sea breeze bringing relief from the tropical day but it was little to forgo for living with Ralph at the farm. Such late night vista from the balcony may have been exceptional but night became day and it was his days that kept him down the coast with Ralph – and there was more, much more and slowly Wayne was admitting so.

“Funny kid,” Wayne repeated, “huh,” he followed with a mounting pride as if agreeing with a deep and puzzling thought that came and went and with each passing left him just a inkling closer to admitting he was falling for the lad but none of this would convince Ralph to enjoy the high life that a growing dynamic city like Cairns had to offer.

“I guess it will be back to the farm tomorrow.” Wayne returned inside and closed the balcony door.

“I guess that isn’t all that bad.”

Wayne watched Ralph at work from the kitchen window as he bent down to pluck the fast growing weeds from around his cabbages which appeared full and ready to pick but Ralph had assured another week would be needed to firm their hearts. Wayne smiled with the memory of his response, “I guess we should all have firm hearts,” to which Ralph agreed and admitted many of the folk he had encountered lacked even a simple heart, firm or otherwise.

Wayne tapped on the window glass bringing Ralph to look up from his work and wave. He returned the wave and made gesture for coffee. Ralph mouthed the word later and continued with his work.

“You do realise he is in love with you?” The voice came from behind causing Wayne to drop a coffee mug he was washing into the dish water in fright. He turned quickly discovering the vision of Lachlan.

“Shit Lachlan you do creep up on people.”

“It’s the way of it all; besides it’s your thoughts that bring us.”

“But I wasn’t thinking of you.” Wayne protested.

“Maybe not directly but you were.”

“What makes you think Ralph is in love with anyone?” Wayne asked while displaying a measure of annoyance that Lachlan would accost him with such a statement and during the daylight hours.

“Stephen said so.” Lachlan was beyond the kitchen table and close to the dullness of the passageway. Wayne turned away from the image and recommenced washing his dishes.

“I suppose I love him as a friend.” Wayne cautiously admitted.

“I think it is more than friendship Wayne.” Lachlan challenged.

“Alright, so maybe you are correct but I’m not gay and wouldn’t know how to handle such a problem.” Wayne sighed while watching Ralph in his garden.

“Love isn’t a problem Wayne.” Lachlan corrected.

“It’s alright for you as you were gay.” Wayne turned and he was alone.

“Shit Lachlan it isn’t fair, you just turn up when it suits you, give me hell then disappear back into where ever it is you go to.” Wayne’s voice carried to where Ralph was working bringing his head to turn towards the kitchen.

“Everything alright?” Ralph called.

“No worries.” Wayne answered back through the window glass.

It then occurred to Wayne, Ralph appeared to be in conversation but there wasn’t anyone around, then he disappeared as he knelt among the plants.

“Lachlan I need to talk to you.” Wayne called back down the passage. There wasn’t any answer.

“Stephen, Daniel, Toby, I don’t care who but I desperately need to talk to one of you.” Still no answer.

“Right I’ll be on the front verandah tonight so one of you better be there.” Wayne was incensed by the silence and slammed the cutlery heavily into the drying rack as Ralph climbed the back steps.

“Did you call?” He asked from the kitchen door.

“No it was the radio.” Wayne lied.

“It’s not on.”

“I turned it off,” Another lie.

“Want to drive me into Biff’s later on; I have some greens for her.”

“Sure.”

“If I could sell weeds I’d make a fortune, you can almost watch them grow.”

“A question Ralph, you are good with words, what do you think conjuncture means?” Wayne asked incidentally.

“I guess coming together, joining – in what text was it used?”

“Only something someone said.”

“Yes but it must have been used in some sentence.” Ralph continued.

“I guess people, or person turns up because of the conjuncture was right.”

“That doesn’t make a lot of sense, there must be more, who said it and maybe I could answer further.”

“It isn’t important, you’ve told me what it means and that was also what I thought.”

It was late and Ralph had retired for the night. Wayne did everything he could to entice Lachlan back to the front verandah. He opened the journal, partook of a drink and placed Lachlan at the front of his thoughts. Eventually success, Lachlan’s voice came up the front steps from the shadows beyond.

“I’m here.” Lachlan spoke and showed himself in the weak light.

“About time,”

“What is your question?” Lachlan asked while ascending the steps and taking his usual seat at the far end of the verandah,

“What you said this morning about Ralph loving me.”

“He does and I believe you also love him, there lies your conundrum.” Lachlan decreed.

“Well I suppose if I’m truthful I do love him and oddly he does do something sexually for me. That is the difficult point as I am not turned on by any other male.”

“That is because you are also in love with him.” Lachlan said.

“Alright then let us say for the sake of the exercise, I am in love with Ralph and wish to do something about it. I wouldn’t know what to say to him or how to go about it.” Wayne’s attitude became aggressive but he soon calmed.

“You don’t have to say anything, besides you’re half way there anyway with your life style.” Lachlan explained.

“Isn’t a relationship more than living under the same roof?”

“I think you’re pussy-footing around what you already know Wayne.” Lachlan protested.

Wayne laughed declaring those were the exact words Ralph had used. Lachlan once again asked Wayne to be more explicit.

“Alright I’ll come out with it and I’m sure I’ll regret doing so. What I am getting at is sex.”

Lachlan laughed. “Don’t you know how to have sex?”

“With a girl,”

“Much the same,”

“Yes but where do you put it.” Wayne asked but realised he already guessed the answer.

“Is that your only obstruction?”

“Partly,”

“Do I have to show you?” Lachlan asked.

“Shit no you’re my uncle, there’s a word for that.” Wayne sounded horrified at the thought of Lachlan and himself in sexual entanglement of any kind.

“How about Toby, I am sure he could help and he isn’t related.” Lachlan suggested and Wayne half agreed, “You think about it Wayne and Toby will be here tomorrow night.” The suggestion remained unanswered.

Turning out the verandah light Wayne poured another scotch. He took a sip then pushed it aside, remembering Ralph’s suggestion he did overdo the alcohol when he had a problem. If this was a problem then it was a sweet one and alcohol would not help. Wayne sat in the darkness of the verandah until tired enough to sleep, eventually he went inside.

At the door to his room he paused and instead of entering he diverted to Ralph’s door. It was open and a beam of moonlight broke through the window to puddle upon Ralph’s bed where he lay curled in sleep.

Undressing and without hesitation Wayne placed his body against the back of Ralph, gently wrapping his arm around the sleeping chest. Ralph stirred dragging the arm closer. This was the first time Wayne had actually lay with Ralph when he had his own bed and it felt right. He thought of Lachlan’s conjuncture. Was it to do with him and Ralph? Were they the conjuncture?”

“Hello.” Ralph spoke softly when he awoke next to Wayne. He didn’t appear confused or angered. If his action was comparable it would be to one of normality, as if it were a daily occurrence to wake beside Wayne. As for Wayne he made no apology or comment except if Ralph would like coffee and that he would commence to prepare their breakfast. Nor was anything said during that day but Wayne did realise that sleeping with Ralph was the most natural act he could think of.

That night as promised Toby arrived and took possession of Lachlan’s chair at the dark end of the verandah. Toby was a handsome lad with his long blond hair and blue eyes while his stocky build show strength not seen in the modern youth. Eventually Toby spoke, his voice resonating deep and commanding.

“I believe you require lessons in sex?”

“You’re hair is different.” Wayne was pussy-footing.

“Different from what?” Toby answered.

“In the photo you have dreadlocks.”

“Ah that Christmas, yes I got drunk and cut the lot off, Daniel decided to give me a haircut but he was equally drunk and did such a bad job, it ended in a crew cut. It all grew back in time but straight and I kept it that way.” “I liked the dreadlocks, it suited you.”

“Wayne you didn’t want me here to discuss my hair.”

“I know how to have sex.” Wayne declared being not only embarrassed but vexed from the notion he would need tutoring.

“What do you want Wayne?” Toby asked his voice echoing the ocean and its moods.

“I’m straight.” Wayne protested but Toby disregarded Wayne’s feeble declaration.

“I can show you what to do.” Toby agreed.

“How you aren’t real?”

“What is real Wayne, only what you wish to be so? A dream isn’t real but sometimes it is difficult convincing it was only a dream.”

“This isn’t real besides how can all of you appear youthful when you passed on late in life?”

“It was a time when our essence was at its strongest.”

“I agree that makes sense, if any of this does.”

“What would you wish to experience?” Toby asked.

“I think nothing, it would be somewhat pornographic.” Wayne protested.

“I don’t understand the word.”

“I guess dirty or smutty.”

“I wouldn’t express showing one’s affections to another as being dirty.” Toby argued.

“Well it wouldn’t be right.”

“All you need to do is close your eyes, no one touches you and I will enter into your thought and you will do and experience the rest by yourself.

“That doesn’t appear too weird, well no weirder than me talking to a dead man.”

Wayne reluctantly agreed to Toby’s offer, even if the voice in his head remained negative. Toby rose from his seat and approached, remaining within the dark of the verandah.

“I’m not so sure of this.” Wayne protested as the weak light extinguished.

“Lay back and relax.” Toby softly instructed. Wayne nervously obeyed feeling somewhat silly and exposed. Moments later he felt what appeared to be Toby’s strong hands on his chest, he felt his clothing being removed yet he didn’t protest. He felt Toby’s breath close to his face and the blond stubble of Toby’s chin upon his cheek and his lips upon his own. Toby’s breath was sweet and his lips full and soft. Wayne’s mouth opened while Toby explored within. Wayne felt Toby’s hand firmly around his rising member and the warmth of breath upon its tip; then pure ecstasy as Toby’s mouth descended bringing Wayne to near an explosion of pleasure. Moments later he felt his member become encased along its full length and the tightness inside of Toby which manipulated every nerve to tingle until he could take no more and he was spent.

Wayne awoke to the sound of barking from the adjoining cane fields and the discharging of a fire arm. He found he was naked and the spent remains of ejaculation lay about his privacy. He was alone and confused. Had he been dreaming, yet when he lay on the stretcher he was dressed, now he was naked, he was sure of that, yet he could still smell the sweetness of Toby’s breath upon his person. He whispered Toby’s name but there was no answer. He called to Lachlan who was also conspicuously absent. If Toby’s advance was only a dream he knew not. Was it only dreaming, if so it was the most erotic dream he had ever had. Not even laying with Louise could have come close to what he experienced, nor any of the other half dozen women previously. Still he remained unsure of such an act with another male.

Wayne lay on his cot for some time attempting to comprehend what had occurred. Oddly he wasn’t revolted by the experience nor was he convinced. Besides how could he approach Ralph? Guess what Ralph? I’ve just had anal intercourse with a ghost do you want to try it?” Wayne released a nervous titter, “I don’t believe it myself,” he muttered as he replaced his shorts.

Wayne went to Ralph’s door and stood watching his sleeping friend for some time. As usual Ralph was in naked state and curled with knees tucked towards his chin. Wayne was overcome with an urge to take his sleeping friend unto his arms and hold him tightly but could not. Instead he turned away to his own bed, where he slept uneasily until with the morning’s sun he heard Ralph in the kitchen. Wayne coughed and yawned loudly.

“Coffee?” Ralph asked poking his head around the corner of Wayne’s open door.

“You’re up early?”

“No you’re awake early; I’m always up at this time.” Ralph smiled and once more asked if Wayne wanted coffee.

“I’ll join you.” Wayne stretched the sleep way and left his bed.

“Were you on the mobile last night?” Ralph asked while pouring two steaming mugs of brew. He added milk and two heaped teaspoon full of sugar into each mug.

“No why?”

“I thought I heard you talking out on the verandah.” Ralph stirred the sugar until he could no longer feel the granules at the bottom of his mug.

I must have been talking in my sleep.” Wayne lied, he was becoming an expert at doing so, or to the point white lies to protect others from what possibly could be an unpalatable truth.

“If so you must have a split personality, I thought I heard two voices and believed you had your telephone on broadcast.”

“Ralph do you ever think of sex?” Wayne asked, his question catching Ralph of his guard.

“I suppose so.” Ralph answered, dragging his words out slowly as he waited for Wayne’s punch line. There wasn’t any. Wayne had once again lost his nerve and turned away from the conversation. “Why do you ask, are you becoming toey? Why don’t you take yourself to the pub now and then and maybe you will find that girl with the clever toes you met some time back.”

“That’s not what I meant; want to go for a ride today?”

“Sure.”

“You know Ralph you are the easiest person I’ve ever met, nothing appears to faze you.” Wayne complemented.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” Ralph answered while breaking eggs into the sizzling frying pan, “one or two?

“Two,”

“Bacon?”

“Yes please,”

“Fried tomato, they are from our garden?”

“Your garden,” Wayne enforced.

“Very well, my garden.”

“Yes tomato would be nice.”

“What makes you say I’m easy going?” Ralph asked.

“Because you are.”

“That I suggest is because when you don’t have support from family and friends, you soon learn to be amiable with everyone, even those who have your number. Oh I broke one of the yokes, I’ll have that one.”

“No I don’t mind, I’ll have it.”

“Nope only the best for my guest.”

“That’s another question.”

“What would that be?”

“What if I declared that I wanted to stay here always?” Wayne asked while keeping his gaze away from Ralph.

“There is no what if Wayne, it will always be your farm.” Ralph answered.

“That’s not fair Ralph.” Wayne appeared hurt by his friends reply.

“Okay then, I will always think of it as our farm.” Ralph corrected, “And I would be honoured to share it with you always,” Ralph continued. He served breakfast then with his wrinkled brow spoke, “What has brought all this on anyway?”

“Maybe I’ve been spending too much time with Lachlan’s journal eh?” Wayne declared.

“I was under the impression you had finished reading it.”

“I have but now and then I refer back to it and there are parts that I find somewhat disturbing.” Wayne accepted his breakfast, “you do fried eggs perfectly, Louise attempted but they were too runny with singed edges, she was always in too much of a hurry to get the cooking over with.”

“What was Louise good at doing?” Ralph asked.

“Arguing I guess, spending money playing mind games, putting folk down that will do for starters but give me time I’m sure I could find a dozen more.” Wayne made humour with his response.

“I don’t think I would like Louise.”

“No she would eat you.” Wayne quickly retorted.

“I can defend myself against that kind of character.”

“Yes I’m sure you can but I wouldn’t wish to see your good nature, your innocents spoiled.

“You came through without much damage, or to me you seem to have done so.” Ralph deduced.

“I guess essentially but I had you to be thankful for, if I hadn’t met you I think it would have been different.” At last a measure of honesty was issued and without solicitation or regret.

“That is the nicest complement I think I’ve ever had.” Ralph half smiled and attempted to make light of it all but was obviously chuffed by Wayne’s admission.

“Yes, if I hadn’t inherited the farm there wouldn’t have been any Verrocchi or altercation with Jack over its sale and by now I would most probably be married,” Wayne gave a slight shudder, “and heading for the divorce courts.”

“Don’t you believe it would have worked with Louise?” Ralph asked.

“It couldn’t, I know that now, we are too different, I only went along with the parties and clubbing to keep the peace.” Wayne freely admitted.

“What about your unit, the mod-cons and all that?”

“Yes I like everything that opened, whizzed and whistled but as you should know by now, I can very well live without it all.”

Ralph had been attending to the horses and on returning noticed the verandah light switch was at the on position. He flicked it up then down and repeated but no light. ‘The bulb has blown,’ he thought and went to the kitchen for a replacement.

“Have you seen the spare light bulbs?” He asked.

“There are a number in the middle room. Why?”

“The verandah bulb has blown.”

“Oh,” Wayne’s thoughts digressed to the previous night and his erotic dream, remembering during it all the light went out.

“Never mind, I’ll find them later, are you ready for our ride?” Ralph concluded.

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