The Briny Café (2011)
“The water in the bays is cloudy brown with run-off from the land. Spume, like dishwater, is lacy along the shore. Commuters rush past in gumboots, their laptops and briefcases wrapped in garbage bags to keep them dry. Everyone scratches leech bites on feet, legs, ankles. Slimy, fat and full, they drop off on the jetty or inside the café, oozing blood in slippery red puddles. But the trees lift their heads and their withered leaves begin to fluff. The big fish – kingfish, flathead, bonito – retu...rn and jump high out of the water, the sheen on their silver bodies like mirrors. King parrots appear, deep red and green, along with shy black cockatoos and whole families of tawny frogmouths that line up on branches looking inscrutable. Skinks come out to rustle amongst the wet leaves. Frogs sing torturously loud night-time arias. The humidity is thick enough to slice with a knife. Summer at last!
There are reports of long dark shadows that could be sharks cruising the bays. Mothers forbid their children to swim at dawn or sunset when they traditionally feed.MoreLess
There are reports of long dark shadows that could be sharks cruising the bays. Mothers forbid their children to swim at dawn or sunset when they traditionally feed.MoreLess
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