Chapter 89

The blinds at With

A Kickwere drawn, but a warm light shone through them onto the pavement. A

faint thread of music seeped out from indoors.

Karel opened the

door as they got close. “Good afternoon gentlemen,” he said, with his usual

smile. “Good to see you.”

Voices and

laughter spilled out from inside the shop. There was the chink of a glass. He

turned to Bryan. “Is there some kind of party going on?” In my shop? Without

me there?

Bryan and Karel

nodded to each other with a shared smile. “Don’t panic, Patrick,” Bryan

said smoothly. “It’s just a few beers, that’s all. Our friends are waiting to

see you.” And he nudged Patrick forward into the shop.

Patrick couldn’t

remember ever being so shocked.

When he’d gone

over to Bryan’s the night before, he’d left the cafe area still bare, apart

from the latest coat of paint and a brand new flooring. One of the jobs for

this weekend was to set up the final decorations, ready for Monday.

But now the room