Alexander Monroe lives in Grasspatch, a town so small, the founders couldn’t even be bothered thinking up a proper name for it. He works at the newsagency/post office, where his duties include ordering newspapers and magazines, printing Lotto tickets, and delivering the mail. One morning he has to deliver a parcel to the mysterious Mr Christian O’Neill, who lives in an oddly-shaped mansion on the outskirts of town. Not much is known about Mr O’Neill, although there is certainly an abundance of rumours -- a faded rock star, a media-shy actor. Alexander can’t wait to find out the answers for himself. Rather than being odd, Christian turns out to be the most interesting person Alexander has ever met. In fact, he asks to come back, and with each consecutive visit, he learns more and more about Christian, and about the power of the mind and the wonders visualisation can bring. But even as Alexander learns how to get what he thinks he wants, he loses Christian. Is it too late to find him again? And if he does, will what they had still be there?

Cool Blue

“To knowledge and to expanding our perceptions.”


They clinked their glasses together and Alexander took his first sip of Sufurja. He swallowed it down and what at first had tasted like peppermint methylated spirits ended up having a somewhat toffee-flavoured aftertaste.


“What isthis stuff?” he asked, taking another sip.


“Sufurja,” said Lorenzo, directing Alexander to a leather couch. “It’s from old Europe. Rarer than an honest politician and a good deal more expensive.”


“But what’s in it? How does it do that to my taste buds?”


Lorenzo laughed. “I don’t know. Wormwood, belladonna, peppermint. I don’t think anyone knows how to make it any more. But every now and again a bottle turns up and if you know the right people and have the money, you can bid on it. I have a standing order.”


“You know you have the most kissable lips,” said Lorenzo, leaning in towards Alexander.


Chapter 27