To Kill a Bunyip

by A R Dent

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  Mary attended to church matters as Father Fred’s secretary and spoke to him as a friend. The Ladies Committee had asked Mary to see what the committee could do to alleviate Father Fred’s grief.

  ‘Father Fred, I do offer my condolences to you. A kind man and a gentle man was Greg. Is there anything we can do for you?’ Mary said.

  ‘Mary, my heart is grieving. It was I, his friend, who encouraged Greg to move to these parts because of the peaceful lifestyle here and the safe waters surrounding Null. I will have to take solace that if Greg died whilst fishing then he died doing what he loved most. But then, he has saved me the trouble of another funeral. The last funeral we had here was mayhem. So much Irish Mead at the wake I almost got caught in a police breathalyser road side test. Thanks Mary. Could you arrange for a chicken stir fry meal tonight. It is a time for change I think.’

  ‘Ok Father, a chicken stir fry with noodles. With or without prawns? Prawns are your favourites.’

  ‘Ah prawns, let me think. What would life be without tasty succulent prawns? Yes, please include prawns with the stir-fry. I do think a whiskey before bed tonight. Thank you Mary and I thank the committee for their thoughts’

  ‘Good bye Father. Enjoy your prawns tonight.’