CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
Local dad, Berrick Flannery (67) has enough mates.
He doesn’t need any more.
He certainly doesn’t think he needs to be making friends with blokes who are 30 years younger than him, and from out of town.
That’s why he’s not realy making an effort to meet the new neighbours that moved in across the road.
The neighbour, Bryce (37) really loves his new suburb.
With a couple young kids and a wife who has found work nearby, Bryce can see the family laying down some roots and calling this place home.
It is completely lost on Bryce that the semi-retired boatbuilder that lives across the road is talking shit about him every time he’s forced to put on a smile and wave back.
Bryce has no idea about the long road ahead of him. The hostilities and the gossip. He is completely unaware that he will need to say the right thing every single time he engages with Berrick. And that he must keep it short and sharp.
As far as Berrick is concerned, Bryce is a fuckwit. It’s an automatic assumption. While his wife and daughters beg him to give the bloke a chance, the old man just isn’t warming to him.
It might have something to do with the fact that Bryce shaves his legs, because he’s a cyclist. It could be the fact that he wore a salmon shirt on the day he moved in.
Bryce needs a miracle to win over this old man.
And this miracle might have to come in the shape of needless flattery.
“Berrick” says Bryce, after bumping into his new neighbour while walking the dog.
“Come round for a beer later this arvo if you’re around”
Berrick gives him an eye brow raise.
“The old man is coming round” says Bryce.
“I reckon you’d get on with him.”
“Just don’t get him started on the cricket. He’s a tragic”
Berrick inquires further.
“Aw yeah? Did he ever play cricket? Who for?”
Bryce lets his guard down.
“Well, he played for actually played for Australia at one point”
Berrick reckons he might be able to pop round.
