It takes Charlie a moment to understand the remark. Then he sees them, a mass of goats, sheep, and pigs, standing in the filth of their excretions. They are at the far end of the station, on a platform separated from the others by a barrier and a gatehouse, and are being herded onto a series of freight cars. Once the doors are shut on them, snouts appear at the breathing holes, pale, almost colourless nostrils sucking on air. Even from the distance, Charlie can sense their fear.

“But that’s a freight train.”

“Most of it is. Food for London. But look.”

Thomas’s finger points at two passenger cars near the front of the train, recognisable by their rows of windows. Workers mill about on the platform, their chequered caps and waistcoats stained by old Soot. It is a shock to find children amongst them, some as young as nine. Puffs of Smoke trail them. One, a girl of twelve, thirteen years, is dressed only in vest and trousers, despite the cold. Her vest is so drenched in Soot, it hangs heavy off her narrow shoulders. She notices the schoolboys lining up near the barriers and flashes them a harelipped grimace, followed by a shout that’s lost in the distance.

“What did she say?” he asks Thomas.

Thomas looks at him, starts to speak, blushes. It is a startling moment, a first. Nothing else has ever made Thomas blush.

“Better if you did not hear.”

“A curse word?”

“Yes. Anatomical. The kennelmaster was fond of it. Back home.”

“Christ.”

By now, Charlie realises, his classmates have cottoned on to the fact that they are heading to the far platform. The contrast between the station behind them and what lies beyond the barrier could not be starker. On one side gentlemen in frock coats are reading The Times. On the other—

“It’s just working people,” Thomas says, as though he has read Charlie’s mind.

“Yes, but the children. .”

“They ride the train, I suppose. To London and back.” Thomas shrugs. “Not everybody can be so fortunate as to be sent to our school.”

It’s the first time all morning that Charlie sees him smile. Soon they are both laughing, laughing out loud, with the other boys looking at them like they are madmen.