Sunday morning at the beach

Lil woke first and began getting breakfast, her brother liked grits, bacon eggs and all the trimmings. When Bernie came down stairs Lil turned to her “this is what you’ll have to get used to if you marry my brother”

Bernie sniffed and said “no you cook so well we’ll get you to do it for us”

“hey who said I wanted to live with you” Lil splashed Bernie with some water. Bernie retaliated by tossing some flour at Lil and then Lil picked up a spatula and smacked Bernie on the arm giggling as she did so.

Their play was interrupted when Gary came down “now I don’t want to see my sister and my girlfriend having a fight even if its only a play for who will clean up the kitchen- if I tell you to you’ll call me sexist and gang up on me” he smiled and hugged his sister and kissed Bernie.

Alison came down and they ate breakfast then when cleaning up Bernie looked at the time “its about 10 lets go for a swim and call in on Colleen and see if she is alright again” they agreed and piled into the surf wagon Garry had borrowed for the summer. As they went they chatted about last night, wondering what had happened to Sharon in the end “poor David” said Lil “she just drinks so much then she’s anyones- you’re lucky Gary to have Bernie even if she doesn’t cook what you want her to”

Don’t I know it, I’m going to chain you up so you’ll never leave” Gary said to Bernie

At the beach they all swam Bernie surprising them all for Gary hadn’t seen how well she surfed. “Hey anyone would think you were a real beach babe” he said as they got out

“Perhaps I am and you just didn’t know it- don’t have the blonde hair, the tan or the figure though do I” Bernie looked at her body she was still worried about her figure

“You’re fine and you look great” Gary replied thinking of Sharon who had the beach babe look but drank too much. He started to dry Bernie with her towel “you’re so kind and gentle – who else would be nice to Colleen and you’re very organised and determined”.

He watched her go off to get changed and thought about life with Bernie and decided, not for the first time, it was what he wanted – the problem was he wanted extras like Colleen, like the bank teller he saw a few days ago who, he was sure, would be so hot in bed, like well like a lot of girls he either had or he wished he had. Why couldn’t Bernie be less possessive? And he wanted a few more years fun before he settled down which is what Bernie wanted- all women want that except Colleen and Sharon- at least when she is drunk- but then he can’t put up with a real slut like she is when drunk. He thought “What's the difference between Sharon and Bernie? Bernie is committed to me. But do I want that commitment yet?”

His thoughts were interrupted as Alison came out of the change rooms “Hey dreamy are you going to stand there all day or are we going to get going?”

When they got to Colleen's house her mother said “no she’s not at home she went out with Jim Hawkins- he said he would help her by taking her to where she left her car last night so she could pick it up”

Bernie was concerned “why didn’t she drive home?”

“She was very upset when she came home even though she said she felt a lot better”

Bernie turned to Gary “maybe we can ring her on her phone”

Mrs Flanagan gave them the number and Gary did so “Colleen its Gary and Bernie here we were wondering how you were. Bernie was real concerned for you last night and we called round to your home to see you. Are you ok?”

“yeah thanks for ringing but I cant stop to talk now”

“her voice sounds shaky almost as if shes been crying” whispered Bernie then into the phone “this is Bernie you sure you're right? Where are you?”

“yes Bernie I’ll be right you re such a good sweet caring girl Gary is so lucky to have you. But look I don’t want to talk now I need some time to think alone. Bye” the phone went dead.

The friends looked at each other and at Colleen’s mother. “What do we do now?” wondered Bernie.

“Don’t like that Hawkins man –he has probably upset her” muttered Lil “he kept making me feel like a little girl last night when I was talking to him”

“That may be so but lets think of something practical to do” said her brother.

“No” said Bernie “none of us know her very well it might be best to do just as Colleen wants and leave her alone. Lets ring her tonight or maybe Lil you’ll see her tomorrow?. In the meantime we can go home and remember Lil and Gary we have study for our courses to do tonight”

Gary groaned “always Ms Reliable aren’t you”

“Yes and one day when you have finished your course and got a good job like your father’s you ll be grateful”

“Well thank you for calling bye and I’ll have Colleen phone you when she gets home” said Mrs Flanagan