Pearly hadn’t thought about what to sing for the audition. He’d imagined that they would talk about what parts were available, what suited him and when he should return to try out for the role. The process was more cursory than he expected.

‘Look,’ said Spider, ‘you know the school song, don’t you? Well, have a go at that,’ and he began to play almost immediately.

Of course Pearly knew it, but bellowing in unison was very different to singing while standing alone and unprepared at Spider’s piano, and unsurprisingly he made a hash of it. He started off too high and didn’t like to correct himself. ‘Okay,’ said Spider, stopping mid second verse. ‘I’ve got your name. I remember you now. Maybe sport’s more your thing. I can’t see you in a solo role, but perhaps in one of the groups. I’ll be putting names on the notice board.’

One of the gentlemen of Titipu: that’s where Pearly’s ambition landed him. At least he got to move on the stage, even gesticulate as he sang with the other gentlemen. However, his interest waned during the many weeks of rehearsal, and he earned Spider’s animosity by not paying attention. ‘If I’d known you were such a fool I’d have given you a bigger part,’ the teacher told him at the end of the five nights the production ran. After Pearly left school he heard that Spider had subsequently voted against him being made head boy. So much of The Mikado seemed to feature poo — Titipu, Pooh-Bah, Nanki Poo. Snoz Gazler said the whole show was shit really.

Pearly affected to disparage the entire business, but in truth considered that Spider’s vindictiveness and failure to recognise talent had been what held him back. He would’ve been a considerable stage success except for Spider.

NINE

When Pearly went to pick up Charlotte on Thursday morning she was ready to go, but Pearly asked if she would mind if he checked quickly on how Clifford’s men were getting on with the new place at the back of the section. She said there’d been something of a lull in activity recently, but the long-run steel roof was already on above the wooden frame skeleton. ‘They can work in all weathers now,’ Pearly told her.

‘It’s going to block in this place dreadfully. Their kitchen will stare right into the living room,’ she said.

‘Hopefully you’ll have your own place by then.’