Epilogue
The lights were going out all over Melbourne. Some, it had to be said, more peacefully than others.
"Cec" … "CEC!" …"Strewth, I give up."
"OW! What was that for?"
"You were snoring."
"That was a boot."
"Busting-my-eardrums snoring."
"Ah, sorry, mate."
"You shouldn't be able to sleep anyway. Marrying Alice tomorrow."
"Yeaaaah … bonzer."
"Cec, mate, you're snoring again."
"Alice, wherever you are, I hope you've got cloth ears. You're going to need 'em."
"Daddy?"
"Meggie, what are you doing out of bed?"
"I couldn't sleep. Can I have a drink of water?"
"Ah … okay, hang on."
"Mummy?"
"Gid, it's the middle of the night, why aren't you asleep?"
"I can't find Meggie."
"I think she went to the kitchen with Daddy."
"Oh. I'll go and look."
"Hugh?"
"Hugh."
"Ngg … Dottie, what is it? Please don't tell me you want a drink of water too."
"No, Hugh. I'm just … a bit cold."
"Cold? Dot, it's practically tropical in here."
"I know. I just … can I come and … no, move your arm. That's it."
"Dottie?"
"Yes, Hugh?"
"Are you quite sure you don't want a drink of water?"
"A drink of water? No, dear."
"Oh. I see. So you think the children need a little sister, Mrs Collins."
"They might, Sergeant Collins. They just might. Or even a little brother."
"Well … you know how I hate to disappoint them."
"You're a very generous man, Hugh."
"No need to laugh about it, Dottie. I am very generous."
"Goodness. So you are."
"Tobias?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure you don't mind, Prudence?"
"Mind what, Richard dear?"
"Well – the dinner. Going the way it did."
"Of course not. These people are friends, and they are happy for me. For us both."
"But they left when we'd scarcely finished coffee?"
"As I said, they're friends."
"Jack?"
"Mmm?"
"Thank you."
"You're thanking me? You're the one who seems to have laid on the birthday of my dreams."
"Yes, Jack darling. I was trying, for once, and from the very bottom of my frequently shallow heart – to thank you. Although, talking of things being laid on …"
"… is that a request for a certain brand of marital hospitality, Mrs Robinson?"
"It is, Mr Robinson. Please, recline. Recline like mad. Recline for Australia."
"Would you like me to sing the National Anthem at the same time?"
"Whatever makes you happy, Jack. Whatever makes you happy."
