The Novel - The Ozone Café - Greek Boys (contd)

Winifred and Vincenzo walked along the esplanade, then moved further down the beach. Winifred stationed herself beside him in the shoals, scuffing her feet so that she made short splays of water. Of course, she was quiet for most of the walk back home. Suddenly she flipped a major arc of water out to sea, 'Vin, have you ever thought of doing another mural, somewhere. You know, so that I don't bug you about the one you sold, and well...maybe you could ask the Shire. You know, get permission to do a wall. Maybe, somewhere near the swings and barbeques?' Winifred raised her voice in a shrill tone as if this was the greatest idea she had in ages. 'Yeah, that's it!'

'Another one?'

More...

The Novel - The Ozone Café - Greek Boys (contd)

The three men rose from the cubicle, Dion moving off to serve a customer.

‘Okay, Vincenzo you helped build the café, so let’s have a look at the wall,’ said Con. ‘I think the café’s sound but I’m no builder. Maybe you can tell me what’s going on?’

Con released the bolt on the side door, the bright glare hitting their faces. Winifred followed. The courtyard buzzed indignantly. Palms crackled like rice paper. The brickpaving sprouted all manner of weeds and four green umbrellas lay on the ground, their folds waving like hands.

‘Let’s see.’ Vincenzo poked around inside the wall, his finger following a crack down the side to within inches of the mural. He sighed, then patted the seascape like you would a horse’s flank. ‘You see Winifred, the gods have been kind to us. There’s not a mark on it.’

More...