Jist Talkin'

An unedited Extract from my forthcoming novel Ausgang Zero

“Why dae we have tae speak German but?” 

William Fitzpatrick’s eyes snapped onto his son’s. It wasn’t the question so much as the ending, the but. An annoying habit the boy had become infected with at school. 

“How many times have I told you that but doesn’t go on the end of every sentence you say?” asked William. His tone was playful caustic, not the usual caustic, the one reserved for when Sean really was in trouble. 

“But why, Dad?” 

William handed his son the ice cream cone and ushered him away from the stall. There were some answers that were better left free of listening ears. And there were plenty of ears around the Ayr Beach promenade. Gulls squawked as they glided above in the crystal blue. The air was thick with sea spray and the sounds of fun fairs, children’s laughter and summer cheer.