Broken Angels

the rose-patterned curtains,

At first he thought it was a black plastic garbage bag that some Traveller had tossed into the river, full of dirty nappies or strangled puppies. Shite, he said, under his breath

Irish saying: ‘It is sweet to drink but bitter to pay for’

out of the corner of his eye, Denis caught the quick flashing of silver in the water. He