Paddy’s People
Tales of Life, Love, Laughter, and Smelly Horses
by
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STORMY WEATHERS
Ellen Louise Weathers was born in a small town called Port Fairy, which is located in the far south-west of country Victoria. It is known for its creamy dairy products, abalone, whale-watching and unpleasant weather patterns. The cold winds that blow up from the Southern Ocean always seem to create friction with the hot air that had previously been formulated in warmer parts of the country. The state of Victoria has long suffered the embarrassing climatic reputation of four seasons in one day. Port Fairy can boast four seasons in one hour.
Ellen was born early on a Friday morning in June during a violent thunderstorm and the rain didn’t stop until Tuesday afternoon. From that day forward, I don’t believe anybody ever addressed her by her Christian name.
Stormy was a popular baby. She slept fitfully, consumed her formula without complaint and crapped at regular intervals. Her days at primary school were a little more memorable, due to the fact that she was something of a tomboy and a bit of a prankster. The head teacher, Marvin Stillwater, remembers a girl with pigtails and an attitude. The lads were even a bit scared of her and it wasn’t just because of her practical jokes. She owned an extensive spider collection and sometimes included the little critters as part of her practical jokes. Her favorite song was The Redback on the Toilet Seat.
The high school years were probably less memorable. The girl had braces on her teeth and her long slim body had yet to mature into the foxy lady that she would eventually become. Sure, she did lose her virginity at fifteen years of age but one can’t argue against the overwhelming passion of curiosity and peer pressure, can one? The young man’s name was Harry Hollington and it happened in the hot house at Hollyrood House, the home of Hubert Hollington and his wife Helen. Harry had two other siblings, Henry and Heather, but they were much younger and had been warned-off about going into the hot house: by Harry.
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About the Book
Paddy Pest, the ubiquitous Aussie gumshoe, is immersed in a world full of beautiful women, conniving conspirators, and covert agents. Never without his Beretta or fold-up boomerang, Paddy is always prepared—a good thing, since he is about to take a ride on the wild side with his entourage of female associates. Stormy Weathers, Paddy’s girlfriend and wing person, is known for her flaming red hair, nice legs, and her ability to hold her own in a fight. Pest surrounds himself with girls with guns and they mean business. Ariadne Vasilis has long black hair, a brutal arm-chop, and a fierce loyalty to her country, as does the delightful French gendarme Yvette Baguette. She wouldn’t be seen dead without her Paris fashion labels. From a salacious situation in Salem to a conundrum in Kentucky! There’s murder in Melbourne and mystery in Moscow, and Paddy’s people are playing for keeps. Paddy’s People is a collection of short stories laced with treachery, mayhem, and mischievous behavior that encompass some of Paddy’s worldwide adventures and acknowledge those men and women who have been inspired by his exploits.
About the Author
Gerry Burke was educated at Xavier College, one of Australia’s most prominent Jesuit colleges. On leaving school, he commenced a part-time accountancy course, while employed by an international mining company. It was a career commitment that lasted for twelve years, partly spent in New Guinea. Dramatically, he then switched careers, and joined an advertising agency in Melbourne, as a copywriter.
Gerry’s career in advertising took him to Britain, America, Hong Kong, Singapore and a number of Australian cities. He was employed by some of the world’s largest ad agencies and when he stepped away from the corporate giants, he was ready to operate his own agency on his own terms. His company, GerryCo, provided advertising, marketing, film and video production to local and overseas clients.
In parallel with these activities, Gerry always maintained an on-going interest in the thoroughbred horseracing industry as an owner and breeder and, today, continues this love affair, which has outlasted his dedication and devotion to the world of advertising. With friends, he has raced over twenty thoroughbreds.
The author’s humorous stories and commentary were first made available for general consumption in 2009, with the release of his first book, From Beer to Paternity. Paddy’s People is his sixth volume. Pest Takes a Chance was a finalist in the USA Best Books Awards in 2011 and Pest on the Run received a similar accolade in 2012.
Gerry is single and lives in Melbourne—twice voted the world’s most livable city.