As People walked their dogs through the park they usually overlooked the four redbrick buildings between the trees. There were many buildings hidden within the park, like the place where the guards’ boss sat in his office and the President’s house. The buildings were home to men who didn’t quite fit in. Every collection of people needs rules so there was a house manager paid by the HSE. Arthur was the house manager, though he didn’t advertise the fact. He was a tall man with a grey hairline that had long since retreated under fire. He looked after the men, handed out their money and prepared client reports. The reports were mostly gibberish but someone must have read them because if they were late there was a fuss. The clients were free to go to town when they pleased, they got fed there  and most were happy.

Hoppy went to the shop every morning for twenty Carrolls, a bag of Emerald sweets and The Irish Independent that was kept for Arthur’s house. Hoppy liked to collect the paper before the staff got it so he could check the headlines. Where The Irish Times would lead with ‘Revenue Commissioners to investigate politicians funding’, The Irish Independent could be relied on to come up with something catchier: ‘Mystery leak reveals Tánaiste’s finances.’ Read More »