Bridge

The first drops of rain hit the windows in silence. But the old Admirals all noticed the change in the weather. They carried on with their discussion but the wind rose and the rain rattled against the glass. Rather than raise their voices above the noise, they lapsed into silence and watched the rain. The man nearest to the window rose, took down a yellow rain slick and Sou’ Wester from the hooks next to the window, put them on over his suit and, sliding the floor-length window open just enough to allow him to squeeze through, went out onto the balcony and into the rain.

One by one, the others joined him and they stood watching the billows of rain as they blew across the rooftops to crash into the face of the building.