Excited and nervous, with his suitcase packed for the new term, which will begin in three days’ time, William at thirteen had never travelled on the train alone before, so it was agreed that Martin would meet him at Paddington and they would travel from there to Storrington together.

‘What are we eating?’ Martin asks his brother.

‘Chicken.’

‘One of ours?’

‘Two, actually. You’re honoured, William,’ says Richard, turning his head, ‘a two-chicken supper!’ He puts the car in gear and swings out of the station. ‘Talking of food, has Martin introduced you to the Fitzbillies Chelsea bun?’

‘Of course I have! We’re allowed out on a Saturday afternoon now,’ Martin answers.

‘Martin buys two,’ William says, keen to join in, ‘and finishes them before I’ve even got mine out of the box.’ He’s rewarded by Richard’s hearty laugh.

‘How many solos last term, Squirt?’

It’s a routine question, William can tell. Martin has his head to one side, thinking. ‘At least seven but to be honest, I’ve lost count.’

‘Git,’ mutters Richard.

Martin twists round, grinning to William. ‘I’ve already beaten his solo score.’

‘What about you, William?’ Richard asks, throwing his cigarette butt out of the window and leaning his elbow on the ledge. ‘I hear you’re pretty good.’

The answer is thirteen – five more than Martin. ‘Not sure,’ William says, ‘around ten?’

‘I’d say more,’ Martin says, ‘he’s bloody good. He’s bound to get the “Miserere” this term.’

It’s Flo who first greets them when they walk through the broad, glass-panelled door into the vast, peopled kitchen. With thick glasses that magnify her eyes slightly, she holds Martin’s face in her hands and kisses both his cheeks noisily. She looks old, William guesses in her seventies, with grey curly hair close to her head.

‘You must be William.’ She grips his hand.

‘Welcome, William,’ a female voice calls from across the room. It takes him a second to locate Mrs Mussey, who’s walking to the table with a serving dish, smiling at him. Just short of six foot, Mrs Mussey is the tallest mother William has ever met.

‘Hello, William!’ He’s hit by the unison volley of voices.

‘Hello.’ For a moment, William feels completely overwhelmed and doesn’t dare meet anyone’s eye.