Achilles’ plan was to lure business back to his cafe by destroying the Bardwell Fruit and Vegetable Shop. Without this source of food, according to the plot, the locals might once again dine out at the Achillion and Mr Asproyerakas would forgive them for abandoning him. No one lived behind the fruit and vegetable shop. Achilles could raze the whole building and not kill anyone. He could not let the world be. Not the way it was.

‘You helping me set this fire or not?’ Achilles asked.

Lucky picked up the can of fuel and, with a shuck of his head, motioned to leave. Achilles squinted at him. Petrol ran down the footpath and around Achilles’ feet; the fuel dripped off the window ledges and tiled entrance step. Lucky grabbed his father-in-law around the shoulders to walk him away from the fruit shop. When Achilles attempted to twist out of his hold, Lucky squeezed his hand around the old man’s neck, bending Achilles forwards, staggering down the lane.

‘I’m trying to get rid of a curse!’ said Achilles, once they were back in the kitchen at the cafe. ‘That fruit shop is our problem, a competitor.’

‘A problem is when you express your frustrations with violence. A solution is when I come along and stop you screwing up again. Do you understand I left America to marry into this family?’

‘Yes, you left your big country—but you get to marry Valia, who is much better looking than you. Listen to me: tonight I went out there trying to do something for all of us. If I burned down the fruit shop while you were here, packing bags, then I’d have what they call an alibi, you understand? Do you think I’m stupid? I saw my chance and went for it.’

‘I think you’ve lost your mind, Achilles.’

‘I’m trying to protect my family’s business! I’m doing everything in my power to improve our position. That can of petrol was our answer. And where is the can?’

‘I think,’ said Lucky, ‘we left it outside the shop.’ For a few moments he’d felt entirely sensible and capable. Now he did not.

‘I’m going back,’ said Achilles.

‘You’re not going back and I’m not either. Someone might see us. Go to bed, mister. You look goddamn terrible.’

‘I do?’

Late in the night, when Achilles was asleep, Lucky borrowed the Cafe Truck and returned to the hotel in Paddington. There, he woke up Valia and described the scene outside the Bardwell Fruit and Vegetable Shop.

‘We must get rid of my father,’ she said. ‘This is our chance to take the cafe from him. It’s perfect. This is our chance to get Penelope back.’

‘It is?’