Friday, January 26

I learned from Hari that in the middle of the night, just as Republic Day dawned, Michael died in his sleep at home.

We have known Michael since we first came to Kerala, and he had a deep love for Auo and Naa, and spoke of them right up to the last time we saw him, a few weeks ago.

He had the magic gift of expanding his role as waiter at Leo Restaurant to that of host and MC. With his many sayings – Loverly Jubbly, in particular – and his dancing around and laughing, he made Leo the centre of many people’s beach life.

Unfortunately after a few years he had a falling out with the owner and went to work in another restaurant, and then another, and another. Neither Leo nor Michael ever seemed to reach the same heights again.

We both felt suddenly sad when we heard the news, as did Hari and many other people.

Irma took this picture ten or more years ago.