The Rift Rider Read Free Page A

at him, her brown eyes no longer angry.
"When we met in the third year, all you talked about was the surf trip you
would take after you graduated. The great six-month trek around the beaches of
Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Australia. You were so excited, you convinced me to
stay in Swansea until we got the money together. You promised me we'd leave the
Spring after we graduated. Spring came and went and so did Summer. Now it's
Autumn and you look no closer to leaving than you did back then."
    "I just
need to save a bit more."
    "That's
bollocks, and you know it. If you really wanted to go, you could right now. It
only takes a month to get a working holiday visa for Australia. And if you don't
want to pick fruit, getting a teaching job in Indonesia is just as easy. You've
got your degree. That's all you need."
    Charlie shook
his head. "But-"
    "No buts
Charlie. I'm twenty-two. If I don't go travelling now, I never will. I'll be
stuck, forever, in a crap job, in a crap office, in a crap town with even
crappier weather, where the most I have to look forward to is a crap meal with
my crap boyfriend in his crappy van."
    "What are
you talking about? Swansea's a great place to live."
    "Yeah, if
all you want to do in life is surf, play rugby and drink with your housemates
like a bunch of students." She shook her head.
    "Those guys
are the only family I've ever known. These last four years have been the only
time in my life I've felt any kind of stability. I told you that."
    "I know
shifting around dozens of foster homes was a crappy way to grow up. But I can't
believe you're willing to do a job you hate, and miss out on the whole wide
world out there, for this." She indicated the van with a wave of her thin
arms.
    "It's just
a temp job. As soon as I get enough money together I'll take that trip."
    "Quit kidding
yourself, Charlie. You'll carry on like this until it's too late to do anything
different."
    "No."
    "Yes. In
five year's time, you'll be living in the same student house, working full time
at Hawk. Only, you'll be a little fatter, and," she eyed his hairline,
"receding."
    "What did
you say?' He said, placing a tentative hand against his hair. That was a low
blow. His long surfer locks defined him. Without them, he'd be half a man.
    "You and
your hair. It's bloody ridiculous. You care more about it than me."
    The anger in him
made him want to lash out and hurt her. What should I mention first, he
thought, her girlish obsession with boy bands or her moustache, faint,
admittedly, but there all the same.   In the end, the anger passed as quickly as it had arisen, and he said
nothing.
    "I'm
sorry," she said, "let's not hurt each other anymore. You're a good
guy Charlie." She rose from her seat and cupped his cheek in his hand.
"One of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest men, I've ever met."
    "But it's not
enough." Nice guys really do come last, Charlie reflected, dismally.
    "How about
we call it a break," he said, sensing hope." And when you come back,
we'll get back together like nothing happened."
    She leaned down
and kissed him. "Goodbye Charlie," she said, pulling away.She pushed the
back doors open and hopped to the ground outside.
    The girl
shuffled, shoulders hunched against the rain, to the Nissan Sunny, parked a few
metres away. While she struggled to unlock the door, the rain soaked her shirt,
causing the wet fabric to press closely against her firm breasts. Farewell
sweet boobs, Charlie said to himself.
    Once inside, she
started the engine and from behind the swishing window wipers, raised her hand.
Then, she drove away.
    Charlie stepped
out of the van. Through the falling curtain of rain, he watched the Nissan's
taillights disappear into the night.
      He sighed, and turned away. Before him
lay Broughton Bay. He stared out at the sea. The moon shone full and heavy in
the sky, bathing the beach in its white glow. The storm had brought a good
sized swell and now rows of curling waves lined up to break against the central
beach