Downstream

me is a large red ‘No
Swimming’ sign. The shore
below is covered in pebbles
and rocks; water has collected
in a big dirty puddle. I knock
on the door of the park
keeper’s office and ask if this
used to be the Victorian
pleasure gardens. ‘Pleasure
gardens?’ replies the park
keeper. ‘I’ve no idea.’ He
comes outside and looks
around. ‘Although someone
once told me their great-