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Stimulus 4: Collins Street 5pm (Description in Bold) A sound punctured the silence of late Sunday afternoon Sydney. The noise echoed out over the Northbridge Street, picturesque in its peace. The calm howl of the wind was invaded by heaving breaths and bellows of laughter. It could belong to only one breed of monster . . . Two young boys. They raced up the steep street from the water, their effort going almost completely to waste, climbing the hill at little more than an adults walking pace. They collapsed when they reached the top, gasping for air and laughing at the same time, which in the end seemed futile. Resting for a moment, they looked back down the slope. The heat radiated off the sticky asphalt, but there was relief from the heat in the cool breeze rising up from the bay. All of this presented the pair with a clear and intoxicating panorama that sizzled blissfully. Even with the breeze, the two boys were sweating profusely, their white t-shirts glued to their backs. Oi? Wanna drink? one of the boys asked with one long slurring word, with a goofy grin on his sunburnt face. The other responded with a shrug and a raise in the top right corner of his lip. The damp locks of blonde hair clung to his face like glue. Where dyou live? he panted. The first boy replied with another goofy grin, stretching his features wide and showing all his teeth, a few of them missing and all of them crooked but pearly white, nonetheless. Just up there, Ill show you. It was a house on a hill, just a block from where the boys were now walking; an old house, but a nice house. As they approached the house, noise wafted from the open windows. A fast and excited discussion was going on in the front room that the blond lad couldnt quite understand. With the tanned child acting as lead sleuth, the boys crept past the sitting-room, down the hallway and were almost to the kitchen before a heavy creak announced the presence of the Grandmother. You shouldnt be alone at the beach, Aaron! You worry me! She wagged her finger menacingly. She stopped in mid wag as she caught sight of the boy standing awkwardly behind Aaron.

Nonna! This is my friend that I met at the beach yesterday said Aaron. And what is your name? She asked gently. She was a small woman. Her features were weathered with age and her eyes were magnified behind thick, round glasses. Her accent was much stronger than the sunburnt Aaron, but she spoke English with a learned confidence. Matthew, the blond boy replied hesitantly. And my name is Helena. So what were you doing at the beach? she asked gently. My mum and I just moved here from Melbourne and I dont know anyone yet. Mum is so busy at work, that I hardly ever see her. She works in the city and is always complaining about being part of the faceless crowd of people in suits. She says it sucks the life out of her, but she needs to pay the mortgage. said Matthew solemnly. Well why did you not offer him a drink before Aaron? The teasing came with a grin, parting her softly gnarled features, leaving no doubt as to where Aaron had received his crook-toothed smile. Would you boys like a drink and a snack? she asked them. Yes please! they answered together and giggled. Was your mother at the beach too, Matthew? No. She doesnt really get home until around 6:30. Since the summer holidays have started, I have pretty much been at home by myself all day. So yesterday I decided to take myself down to the beach for a swim. The tiny kitchen overflowed with brass pots, sheaves of garlic, jars of pickles and the smell of aromatic spices. But one wall was clear of shelves and practicality. Covered with a rich and exotic hand-drawn wallpaper, it displayed a series of frames, containing ancient paintings, photographs and newspaper clippings. The center-piece of this beautiful wall was a sepia-toned photo, beautiful in its age, depicting a group of people huddled together on the deck of a ship, wrapped in jackets, cloaks, blankets, and each other. The cold water was refreshing, and the boys were relaxed and comfortable once again, chatting about the beach, but Matthews eyes kept returning to the sad enigma of the photo. When Helena returned to the kitchen, Matthew asked Can you tell me about the picture, please? pointing at the faded sepia photograph.

That was the day we arrived in Sydney after leaving Italy behind us. I have never been so scared in my life. We knew no-one and couldnt speak the language. Nonna looked into Matthews troubled eyes. So I know now what its like to have to start your life all over again. She put her arm gently around the boys shoulder and whispered you are always welcome in our home. Her eyes danced behind her thick glasses. Tomorrow is Christmas day. I have prepared so much food that our family cant possibly eat it all. They will be 15 people here tomorrow including you and your mother. We cant possibly intrude in a family occasion such as Christmas Matthew said in embarrassment. Dont be silly you are Aarons friend which means you are part of our family, too. Said Nonna while smiling And they did. The End. Alex Kell