His death comes quickly. Why on earth did he not heed Crowley’s warning?

Betty becomes distraught. “It was the blood not the water” she sobs.

“Nonsense my dear” says Leah “We warned him, warned him well, but he just took no notice”

“I always drink the bottled stuff
when I’m away from England” says Coleridge. “I like the fizzy, not the still!”

In the evening we play cards
and other games of chance.

life goes on
a painted ship
upon a painted ocean

Paul Conneally
9th October 2026
Cefalù, Sicily