Free Listen by Kate Veitch

water. James surged in, grabbed Robert’s hand below the surface and gave a little tug, not enough to overbalance him but enough to make him yelp and laugh.
    ‘Hi, Rob,’ James said, flicking back his shoulder-length black hair. He took hold of the steel bar below the block and propped his feet up, knees bent. ‘What are you up to?’
    ‘I’ve been invited to a party tonight at my friend Justin’s place. Wondered if you’d like to come.’
    ‘Justin?’ James asked, flexing his body now as though about to launch off into backstroke. ‘That bloke you met in America, right? At the summer camp.’
    ‘Yes, we were both counsellors. He’s beaut, I think it’ll be a good party.’
    ‘Uh-huh,’ James said. He held a breath and let his head fall back so that his face was under the water, still gazing up at Robert intently. He was thinking about water and painting: how to paint the way people appeared when you were looking at them through water; fellow swimmers in other lanes, or people walking beside the pool, coaches for instance, or like his brother was now, beside the blocks. Look how the outlines are all wavery but you can still tell that he’s asking a question. Or someone on the blocks, that’d be good. Tensed and ready to dive in, or – even better – in mid-dive, seen from below . James lifted his head and blew a whale spout of air and water. ‘Sounds good. Yeah, I’ll come. Still gotta do eight more laps though.’
    ‘That’s okay, I’ll wait. Give you a lift home.’
    They had a light meal with their father, did the dishes, watched a bit of telly. They headed off for the party a little after nine. A yellow moon just past full hung low and swollen in the sky.
    ‘So where is Justin’s place?’ asked James, lounging in the passenger seat of Robert’s Datsun.
    ‘Toorak. It’s his parents’ place, they’re away for a while.’
    ‘Yeah? You’re taking me to a party in some Toorak mansion, eh?’ James was grinning at his brother. Robert glanced at him and grinned back.
    ‘That’s right. You know me, always hobnobbing with the rich and famous.’
    James chuckled. Robert felt an unaccustomed sense of relaxation flow through his body. This is going to be a good night , he thought, and he took one hand from the steering wheel and patted James’s shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, little brother,’ he said. ‘If you start to feel out of your depth, I’ll look after you.’ He was rewarded with another chuckle.
    They drove on, windows open to the tantalising breath of early summer.
    ‘I’ve got into art school for next year,’ said James absently.
    ‘What?’ said Robert, startled. ‘Really? I didn’t even know you’d applied!’
    ‘Well, I didn’t tell many people. Didn’t want to upset Dad if there was no need to.’
    ‘You think Dad’ll be cranky?’ asked Robert carefully.
    ‘You know he will,’ said James, his voice mild as ever. ‘But he’ll get over it.’
    ‘He will,’ Robert agreed. ‘He was just a bit disappointed when you dropped out of architecture. You know. It’s almost engineering!’
    ‘Yeah, don’t I know it!’
    They stopped at a red light. ‘You know who would’ve been really rapt, though?’ Robert asked suddenly. From the corner of his eye he saw James turn toward him, his expression asking Who? . ‘Mum,’ Robert said. ‘She would’ve been absolutely thrilled to have you going to art school.’
    ‘Yeah?’ said James. ‘You reckon?’
    ‘Definitely,’ said Robert, nodding emphatically.
    ‘Why’s that?’
    ‘She just…Well, she was always drawing, remember? Designing clothes and things.’ The traffic light changed; Robert put the car in gear and drove on. ‘And also…’ he paused, considering. ‘She just would’ve been happy you’re doing what you’re good at. What you want to do. Wouldn’t matter what it is.’ Another pause. ‘You were always her favourite, after all.’
    ‘I was?’ said James. Not denying, nor disbelieving, just a