‘You ruined today and I’ll never forgive you.’ He carries on as if his uncle hadn’t spoken. He glances at the chapel over his mother’s shoulder. A gust of wind moves his hair. ‘Take me home.’

The air around them bristles with the shock of what’s happened, with what’s just been said. Evelyn stands looking at him, blinking. After what seems a long time, she inhales suddenly. ‘You can’t just leave.’

‘I already have.’

‘But I’m going back to Swansea tonight. I’ve got an interview tomorrow. I’ve got to sort out a house, school for September. As soon as term’s over, I’ll come and get you.’

William sees the shock on Robert’s face. He knows nothing of Evelyn’s plans.

‘You’ve only got a few months left,’ she says, ‘it’ll be fine.’

‘I am not going back.’

Evelyn looks stupefied. ‘Well, you can’t come with me yet, I’m in digs, there’s no room.’

‘Then I’ll stay with Uncle Robert.’ The two men stare at the ground. ‘I can, can’t I?’ he asks them.

‘Of course you’d be welcome,’ Robert says, clearly unable to look at anyone, ‘but it’s up to your mother.’

William thinks she’s going to cry again, but then she gathers herself, assembles one last bit of strength.

‘Very well,’ she says, staring at William, ‘just until I’ve got everything ready.’

William notices three gowned men striding through the gates onto the forecourt; the clerk, Phillip and Mr Atkinson. Once they see William, they all come to a halt. And behind them, in the entrance, three more figures appear: Martin and his parents.

57

‘That’ll do me,’ Colin says softly once the choir has processed out. ‘That was heaven, that was.’ His Scottish accent, often barely discernible is pronounced. ‘Who wouldn’t want to come and hear that? Tell me, William, cos I can’t understand how anyone in their right mind could not want to hear that.’

‘It’s a long story.’ William stands, light-headed, desperate to get out.

‘All right?’ says Martin on William’s other side, and for a moment, William is completely disorientated at the sight of him.

‘Let’s go to the Copper Kettle, Colin,’ he says, ignoring Martin. ‘I need some fresh air, they can meet us there.’

Walking through the quad and out into the spring-fresh air, Colin still reeks of alcohol, though he seems to have sobered up and matches William’s fast pace.

‘Incredible really,’ Colin says, as they pass the stately Senate House, over the cobbles and onto King’s Parade. ‘They’re just kids, but I swear they pull heaven down when they sing like that.’ William looks up from the pavement at Colin. He doesn’t normally talk like this. Their eyes meet. ‘Yep, that’ll do me, thank you very much.’