Monthly Archives: September 2012

The Boy in the Bubble

My daughter has brought me a present home from school. I have a fever and am coughing up fluorescent green lumps. I am stuck in bed, sweating for all the wrong reasons. Antibiotics are prescribed, but I am no better … Continue reading

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Miller Time

There is a builder working on the empty house next door. He started early this morning, disturbing my Saturday lie-in. I was out last night, and my eyes are gummed up, my mouth dry; I could do with another hour. … Continue reading

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Baby Boom

I am on my way to the shop, walking past the red brick wall of the Ormeau Bakery. It is a warm Saturday in June, and I am enjoying the sunshine. I may go for a longer walk along the … Continue reading

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Clamp it

I have my four year old daughter with me, so rather than walk I take my car to the old Gasworks development, where I am going to renew my driving licence. It is drizzling, grey March weather. I drive into … Continue reading

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Big Fish

It is a beautiful, sunny Saturday in early June, and I am driving along the Ormeau past the old Post Office. On the other side of the road, outside the Bangla Bazar, are two Romanian men. They are probably in … Continue reading

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Vanity Mirror

It is a cold, clear morning, and you are inching your way along the Westlink in the company of hundreds of other bleary-eyed travellers. You are shut in by high grey walls. A van has broken down on the Clifton … Continue reading

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Süskind

The knocking usually starts early, around six. The first sound is the thud of a small metal hammer on wood. It is invariably followed by a scraping noise, then more knocking, more scraping. It will continue at intervals throughout the … Continue reading

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Assassin

It’s a drizzly October morning and I’m walking to work from the Bedford Street bus stop. In my right hand I’m carrying a sweet milky tea from the kiosk. Crossing the busy street at Wellington Place to get onto Donegall … Continue reading

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Choir of Angels

It was home time. My route back to Montgomery Street car park took me from the High Street through the stone-flagged pedestrian zone around Arthur Square in the city centre. It was a bright September evening and Corn Market was … Continue reading

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Beemer

When driving in the outside lane of Ireland’s motorways it is inevitable that, at some stage of your journey, you will see in your mirror a sleek, aggressive car approaching at very high speed, flashing its headlights and sitting uncomfortably close to … Continue reading

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