Chapter 15 — Paddy

It’s only nine-thirty Sunday morning, but the vines at Emmanuel’s Café have already wilted in the heat. Further back, behind the vines and the glass, Paddy sits in air-conditioned comfort, enjoying a long black. The café Labrador ‘Zeus’ sits at his feet: fat, golden and panting. Paddy is almost happy. Some good boxes have been ticked: EJ’s just arrived from England, there’s a new government, Michelle is on her way to see Red and Mia, and the coffee is perfect.