Van Badham
One of Australia's most capricious and engaging writing talents, Van Badham's career spans journalism, comedy, drama, arts criticism, genre fiction, speechwriting, music theatre and cabaret, non-fiction, writing for television and radio, and even poetry. Her first novel, Burnt Snow was published by PanMacmillan in 2010, while her plays include the award-winning The Bull, the Moon and the Coronet of Stars, Muff and a stage adaptation of Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber, as well as Sydney Theatre Company's box-office smash, Banging Denmark<.
Van was born in Sydney and completed degrees in theatre at the University of Wollongong, the University of Sheffield (UK) and the Victorian College of the Arts. A former literary manager of both London's Finborough Theatre and Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne, she has been a regular columnist for The Guardian since 2013, and has appeared a frequent guest of both The Drum and Q&A on the ABC.
“What's wrong?" I asked in a tiny voice, grasping for a piece of bookself to hold me up.His breath was still heavy. "This is a bad idea."Overwhelmed, I let my body slide towards the floor, until I sat crumpled on the dusty carpet."Brody, treat me better than this-" I said.He didn't turn around; his shoulders rippled as he gripped the shelf."It's dangerous," he said "We'll make it safe"He half-looked over his shoulder."That's not what I'm talking about," he said.”
“Brody, please tell me what this has all been about" I said."The lead-up to the Second World War" said Brody, still not lowering the handout, "or so I've been assured."Frustrated, I pushed the paper away from Brody. He averted his eyes from me."Don't be like that" he said quietly."Are you seeing Ashley Ventwood" I asked him."No" he said, still looking away."Would you tell me if you were?" He didn't move.”
“I was looking at the storm clouds above my head when Brody said, "Look Sophie-" He was clamping and unclamping his fists, and his eyes were green with frustration."What?"There was no answerIn half a step forward and less than a second, his right hand touched my hip, his left hand seized my jaw - and Brody Meine was kissing me.”
“You kissed Kylie" I protested"Yes, I did. Right in front of you," he said, stepping forward again."Brody-"Hi face was centimetres from my face. Every cell of my skin anticipated his touch. My head and back were pressed into the door. "You afraid of something 1919? You know I'm not going to do anything until you do.”
“His eyes locked on mine and my voice went a few notes high when i said "How could Ashley guess you were with me?"Brody said, " Because I don't think she's blind."We stared at each other. We were both breathing heavily.With one step across the room, i seized his face and kissed him.”