The final coup de grâce-the apple, if you will-was when a girl he'd met in Nantucket (very blond, long legs, small nose, no noticeable imperfections, annoyingly nice) came for a visit on a weekend a big, formal party was planned. "She's just a friend of mine," he said. He explained that we-meaning Matthew, his friend Richard, the girl and I-would all go to the party together, double date. Unfortunately, he neglected to mention that I would not be his date that evening but rather Richard's. And he kissed the pretty girl from Nantucket right in front of my eyes.

Shutterbabe Debora Copaken Kogan

"The name's Darien. These are my mates Will and Conner. We're on holiday." In the backof the jeep is a case of blue and gold Foster's Ale. Why is it that wherever you go on this immense planet, you can always find Australians on holiday? It must have something to do with growing up in a former penal colony. They're probably culturally programmed to seek freedom, roam.

Shutterbabe Deborah Copaken Kogan