Summary

The main character of “Cyprus Avenue” by Lucy Caldwell, who lives in London, tries to avoid going home to Ireland for Christmas, making up excuses to her mother. She feels bad, so she books a last-minute plane ticket. In the airport, the plane is delayed. At the airport bar, she meets Nirupam Choudhury, who is also from Belfast. The two of them begin talking about home and realise they grew up in the same neighbourhood and even attended the same school. The main character realises that she recalls Nirupam and how she and other children laughed at him and some Chinese girls because they were different.

The main character then asks Nirupam if he remembers her older sister Janey. Nirupam realises that Janey died in sixth grade and recalls her sharing a packet of crisps with him. He also tells the main character that his father and his younger sister died in a car accident a year after Janey’s death.

The two of them board the flight to Belfast together and continue talking until they arrive....