Only sees his own name in history. Nothing more!

She sips her Tom Collins. It is so good. Extra strong which is exactly what she needs. The minister looks down toward them and she half-raises it. Cheers to him and his fancy black frock! The things some men have to do to feel comfortable in a dress.

– I am the most moral, upstanding, philanthropic, God-fearing man that has ever been known in Edinburgh. I could call the police on that young man and have every person at that party locked up. I can do anything I want. I know his father. I know everyone. You can’t move in this town without someone who knows me and admires me! I am not bragging. Only failures do that. I am just telling you how it is. Those parties have to stop. I will give him an eviction notice! I do not want the authorities…

He coughs until his face turns purple.

– I don’t want them…

He wants police in that building even less than we do.

– Don’t worry, Mr Udnam. We won’t do it again.

– I can’t…

– I know.

– Do you hear me?

– Aye, it won’t happen again. I promise!

There is spittle around the edge of Mr Udnam’s mouth.

Mr Udnam will get his statue to himself in this city, of course he will.

He stares at Flora like the fires of hell are in the pit of her stomach and only the power of God will put them out. He glances at the minister. Looks straight ahead, to the front of the church. There is a feeling stronger than repulsion. Flora feels like she has to leave immediately. It takes all her will to remain seated. The man nods at the minister going out as a new one comes to takes his place.

– Can I smoke in here?

Mr Udnam shakes his head at her in disapproval.

– But the incense… they’d never even notice.

She puts her tobacco back in her purse. Windows cast tunnels of moonlight down the main hall. The moon is so big out there tonight, illuminating every crevice of this city. It makes her feel wanton. There are huge pillars. If God were to design a house, it would be filled with stone arcs and archways like these. People can’t even see how much they can achieve just through their own talent when they put their minds to it, without any ideas of God having anything to do with their creations, just sweat and hard work and design and what people can achieve is so extraordinary.

– You know he designed you, just perfectly.

– What?

Flora gets a shiver down her back.

The minister has said it in passing as he leaves his shift.