9 SLAINTE, BELFAST“So,” asked Gareg of the old man in the Duke of York, “when do you want this job to take place?”
“First things first, my boy, Sláinte. It is so hot out there and I have been looking forward to a cold Guinness all morning. Ah! That is a true pleasure. They say it puts your blood pressure up, but at the moment, I don’t give a monkey’s! Bloody doctors are never satisfied, are they?
“Are you well? Is the family well?”
“Sure, we’re all well, thanks for asking. I don’t actually have much of a family. I’ve got more friends than family.”
“Well, like they say, you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. It’s true enough too.
“Now, as to your first question. As soon as possible, is the easy answer, but the fact of the matter is that there is no rush. The sit
