I would wake up in the morning, have coffee with Samantha, do the shopping we needed, go out for a walk downtown or drop by the pub to sit with Pavlos and Bob. It was the only way we could see one another, with those shifts of ours. It didn’t take me long to learn all the secrets of the job and familiarise myself with the customers. Every night, I created a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere, hoping to live up to my brother’s expectations. I did just fine. With Sylvia, more than workmates, we became friends. We spent hours together, and at nights, when the pub emptied out and we finished up our chores, we chatted about everything, even about personal things. She was a free spirit and a free body. Perfect catalysts for our game of chance and challenge. One night, egged on by the rowdy crowd, we were led to the shed. Hidden behind the clamour of jibes and jokes, we tore off our clothes, possessed. Forsaking any pretence at tenderness, we broke into each other with dangerous urgency, rocking the bench in the darkness.
