‘For a few weeks,’ Jamie said, ‘give or take. Since we moved.’

‘Does Nicole know you’ve brought a snake into her house?’

‘She doesn’t know about Louis II.’

‘Who’s that?’ asked Sophia.

‘The snake’s name is Louis II. He was a French king also known as Louis the Stammerer.’

Hannah said to Jamie: ‘You don’t have much of a stammer anymore.’

‘I do voice exercises.’

‘Where is this bloody snake?’ said Sophia.

‘At Nicole’s house. Under my bed. In a box.’

‘You’re a sensitive kid,’ said Sophia. ‘Snakes are not pets for sensitive kids.’

Jamie said: ‘What if I’m pathologically sensitive, like Franz Kafka?’

‘Like who?’ said Sophia.

Emily interjected: ‘You’ve been reading Kafka?’

‘Yes. Well, not exactly. I’ve read about him online.’

‘Kiddo, the snake has to be removed,’ said Sophia. ‘Do you know what would happen if Nicole found out? We’d be homeless!’

‘She’d kick us out because of Louis? That’s bad.’

‘Anything’s possible with Nicole. Where did you get the snake?’

‘I bought it online.’

‘You don’t have any money!’ said Sophia.

‘I’ve got a little money.’

‘I know a good veterinarian in this area,’ said Hannah. ‘Absolutely a vet will know what to do with a snake.’

‘I’m not destroying Louis II,’ Jamie said.

‘We’ll see,’ said Sophia. ‘We have to remove the snake. Appreciate your vigilance, Hannah.’

Hannah made a point of shaking Emily’s hand.

‘Your accent—you’re English? Where from?’

‘London.’

‘Oh, I lived in Clapham for seven years. Loved teaching over there. Miss it often. Always something to do in that city.’

They returned to the car, the doors banged like stones on the roof. Sophia sat in the back seat with her son. ‘What is going through your head?’ she demanded.

‘I’ll tell you: Louis is a small non-venomous python. Yesterday I took him to school and today a teacher found out. People in my class talk too much.’

Sophia said: ‘Other kids will see a pet snake as a sign that you’re weird. And it gives me no pleasure to say that.’

‘It’s not a sign of anything,’ said Jamie. ‘I may just as well forget what they think.’

I like this kid, thought Emily. He could teach me something.

Jamie said: ‘Louis II is my best friend.’

‘The snake will never be your best friend,’ said Sophia.

Emily started the car and Sophia gave her a few directions; the rest would be given on the way.

Jamie said: ‘Louis is my friend and I’m worried about him. He’s stopped eating.’

‘You have a dangerous pet!’ said Sophia. ‘He’s stopped eating because he wants to eat you! He needs to make room in his belly for a little human. Think about it! I’ve heard of this behaviour.’

Emily said: ‘You shouldn’t love something that will only disappoint and hurt you.’