by David Burton
‘I guess it’s all over now,’ said Will.
Shaun cleared his throat. Something else had been on his mind. He didn’t know how to say it, but he knew it was important.
‘Hey, um, thanks for, you know, doing it with me. The investigation, I mean. Everyone else thought I was lying or told me to stop it, but you, um – yeah. Thanks!’
Will grinned. ‘Hey, dude, what’s a mate for if not to help solve a massive conspiracy?’
Shaun laughed. It started small but then it grew out of control. It felt good to laugh like this, hard and long.
At that moment, anything seemed possible. Megan might forgive him. His mum might feel happy again. One day. He had Will. And his dad’s music collection. And the water.
The two boys sat by the pool until the sun went down. They dangled their feet in the water, watching the other children leap and cry with joy. And soon they joined them. Will pushed him in, and Shaun took him down with him, and their bodies were in the blue. The water seemed to make way for them. And they smiled at each other under the surface, clawing their way back up to air. Shaun’s face broke the surface and he took a long, beautiful breath. He smiled.
Resources:
If you’re going through tough times, you don’t have to feel alone.You can access support, counselling and compassion through these organisations.
Youth Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
youthbeyondblue.com
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
kidshelpline.com.au/teens
Lifeline Australia
13 11 14
lifeline.org.au
First, thanks must go to the wonderful team at UQP. Thank you, Kristina, Felicity, Mark and everyone. Thank you for having such enthusiasm and support for the book, and thank you for making it immeasurably better. It’s been an enormous team effort.
This novel is largely based on the many years of work I’ve undertaken in regional Queensland with Queensland Music Festival (QMF). QMF does amazing work in regional and remote communities, and I’ve been honoured to get to know these tiny towns so well. Thank you to the communities – and particularly the young people – of Gladstone, Logan, Moranbah, Dysart, Middlemount, Glenden, Nebo, Clermont and Mount Isa. A big thank you to John and Anna Telford, who made a powerful contribution. Thank you also to my various mentors and colleagues at QMF, particularly Nigel Lavender, Sean Mee, Marguerite Pepper, Kate Wilson, Tara Hobbs and others.
I’d also like to take the opportunity to correct a massive error from my first publication. I should’ve thanked this person then, and didn’t, for which I’m immensely sorry. Kate Eltham, you are a powerful mentor and friend, and the industry is lucky to have you! Thank you for continuing to support my development.
Thank you, Michael Zavros. Your stunning work Bad Dad illuminated new parts of this novel at exactly the time I needed them. Your support and good wishes mean the world.
Thank you, Tim. You know precisely why.
Thank you, Nick Earls. You are generous, hilarious, and a hero of mine.
Many thanks to Grace Lucas-Pennington for her insight and support. I am extremely grateful.
Thank you, Claire Christian. I adore you and I’m so lucky to have you as a writing bestie. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Steve Pirie. You didn’t hesitate at all when I asked you extremely detailed questions about how funeral homes prepare bodies in regional towns.
Ellie, Mum was pregnant with you when I started writing this, and you’re just over two years old as the book is going to print. I love you.
For the second Burton baby, we learned that you were arriving as I was finishing work on this book. I love you too.
Emily, you’re the best person I know. Thank you. I love you.
First published 2019 by University of Queensland Press
PO Box 6042, St Lucia, Queensland 4067 Australia
uqp.com.au
[email protected]
Copyright © David Burton 2019
The moral rights of the author have been asserted.
This book is copyright. Except for private study, research, criticism or reviews, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Enquiries should be made to the publisher.
Cover design by Astred Hicks, Design Cherry
Cover illustration by Astred Hicks
Author photograph by AJD Photography
Typeset in 12/16 pt Bembo Std Regular by Post Pre-press Group, Brisbane
The University of Queensland Press is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia
ISBN 978 0 7022 6252 4 (pbk)
ISBN 978 0 7022 6246 3 (pdf)
ISBN 978 0 7022 6247 0 (epub)
ISBN 978 0 7022 6248 7 (kindle)
UQP is not responsible for content found on non-UQP websites.
