“This and that. A tangle which has not become any less tangled through my efforts. I shan’t bore you with the details.”

“It’s a good thing you could get away.”

“It was that or a nerve-storm,” Bill said, with an effort at cheerfulness that didn’t ring true. “I was done in. Three weeks in the fresh air will set me right and with any luck someone else will have unpicked the whole business by the time I get back.”

“Here’s hoping,” Pat said. “So what are you up to other than work?”

“I suppose that’s some sort of joke.”

“Really, though. You live in London. There must be...” She waved a hand to indicate the delights of the metropolis.

“There’s plenty of...” He mimicked the wave. “But I’m not doing any of it. Well, except for helping out in the club—the Hackney Young Men’s, it’s a gymnasium for poor youth. The aim is to bring them in with boxing and then, when we have them trapped, inflict a spot of literacy on the blighters.”

Pat had no trouble interpreting this description of education work. Bill had boxed for his college, and was a skilled and patient teacher with a strong moral streak. They’d all thought he might go into the Church. “Is that a Christian organisation?”

“Non-denominational. We bar preaching and politics. It prevents arguments, and means Jews and Indians come along too, which is important in those parts. And in my view, we’re all better off when people have the tools to think for themselves.”

“You’re all right, Bill,” Pat remarked. “I must say, I’d like to do something of that sort.”

“Well, I don’t think you should learn to box, but I’ll happily teach you to read.”

“Oh, shut up. I meant to do something useful. I’m uncertain how I’ll spend my time when I move out.”

“Mph. You’re set on leaving?”

“I must. Olivia won’t stand on her own feet if I’m treading on her toes, and I’ll unquestionably do that. I can’t bear watching things done badly.”

“At least you know yourself,” Bill said. “Are you sure she’ll shoulder the load under any circumstances? I struggle to see her as mistress of Skirmidge House, what with the rats and the plumbing. Do you think Jonty’s told her about the plumbing?”

“Of course not: she turned up at the altar. I’m sure she’ll take charge if I’m not there to do it for her. The question is whether she’ll force Jonty to triple the staff and pay for new pipework, or simply move him to London. I wouldn’t underestimate her will.”