All At Sea Read Online Free PDF

And the next week there was a new girl. Or two or three new girls. They were lining up.
    Lachie thought/thinks it’s great. It got to the point where I couldn’t even be bothered remembering names. I’d just call them, ‘babe’. I’d get texts. No idea who it was from. Get slapped in the face. Doesn’t matter. Next week there was a new girl. It was exhausting.
    I went home for Christmas. Christmas is the worst possible time, because you’re doing the things you’ve always done with the people you’ve always done them with, and everyone is happy and sentimental. I saw my high school girlfriend. She didn’t know anything I had been up to. We spent the week together, and I looked at her and I thought, ‘This is real. She doesn’t only like me for my pecs. She knew me when I didn’t have any pecs.’ I slept with her and it wasn’t new. It was familiar and boring. I still liked her afterwards. So I proposed to her. She cried and said yes. My dad shouts the whole pub. And for ten minutes, with my back burning from all the slapping, it felt like the right thing.
    Then the phone started ringing. Did I want to go in to real estate? Conveyancing? Engineering? A position has just opened up just for you, buddy. I’m looking at her, and looking at her mother. It was more of the same, same, same.
    I got on a plane and came back here. I didn’t break it off with her. I just left. If she knew, she would never forgive me. If Lachie told her how I’d been living my life, she would be miserable for years and years, and I can’t do that to her.
    That’s where it’s at. See? I’m a real sweetheart.
    I just surf and teach people to surf. I’m not interested in being anyone’s holiday fun anymore. It’s an ugly way to spend your life.
    I’m telling you these things because I’ve had too much beer, and I can see where you’re going. Do what you want, but later on, when he’s with the new girl and he’s not taking your calls, it’s going to hurt.
    Lachie doesn’t do second dates. He will chase you until he’s had you and then, ‘Next!’
    Go back to your yacht club and find a nice boy.
     
     
    Tuesday 18 th February 1.18am
    —Blue Volcano Tavern—
    I’m sorry, Amelia. If I could unsend all of that I would.
    It’s just I look at Lachie and I see myself, and I just want to punch him in the face.
    I can’t punch Lachie in the face. He’d kick my arse
    .
     
    Tuesday 18 th February 2.15am
    —Waikiki Yacht Club—
    Thanks for telling me your story. I know you didn't want to but you did and I appreciate it. Kody mystery solved.
    Regarding Lachie. There’s nothing I want from him. It’s something to do besides sit around the yacht staring at all of my overpriced shoes. When you don't want anything from someone, then that someone has no power to hurt you. So don't worry about me with Lachie. See you at lesson.
     
     
    Wednesday 19 th February 3.06pm
    —near North Shore, Oahu—
    You did the best today that you’ve ever done. Lachie did a good job with you, despite everything. Just a couple lessons left. But you’re definitely fine in the water now. You obviously prosper with the flame under your arse. You’ve got chutzpah. You’re going to do something spectacular.
    Please don’t stay grumpy with me. You’re a classy chick. You are! You befuddle me. I told you I’m just a big dumb surfer man.
    And you asked. I could have lied.
     
     
     
    Wednesday 19 th February 3.08pm
    —near North Shore, Oahu—
    Yes, you could have. You’re a standup knucklehead. See you at lesson.
     
     
    Sunday 23 rd February 1.47am
    —Waikiki Yacht Club—
    I know I shouldn’t send you messages when I have been drinking, because I write down stuff that should stay in my head. But here goes anyway.
    I don’t know why I am at the yacht club. It isn’t in my area. It isn’t on my way, and it was a freaken expensive cab ride. But it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you, since all our lessons are finished