There was a new butcher working out of the back of The International Store this morning. He was an older man with slight features and studious glasses. It was difficult to place his features and voice but he could have come from the North Africa or the Middle East. He called everyone “Brother.”

He wore a dirty blood stained white apron with cut off sleeves over a pale blue shirt. On his left hand he wore a metal glove. He needed it as he wielded a heavy sharp knife in his other hand with almost wilful abandon. Before he got to me he sorted out a chicken, using the knife to peel away the skin and then to cut into pieces. The knife was about 18 inches long and 3 inches thick, he never seemed to have it out of his hand.

I bought 12 lamb chops and we had them this evening with salads and aubergine with pomegranate and yogurt.