There was a cafe, and they did an outstanding cheese roll. We ate in church, which felt disrespectful, but I eased my conscience by telling myself that Jesus ate in people’s houses so he wouldn’t mind if someone ate in His. I was happy, I guess, right then. I had a friend, a full belly and a roof over my head. Who could ask for more?

Daily Routine Orders 8

It has happened again, i was on my way to inspect theatreland when two dossers approached me. One – the scruffier of the two – asked me for change. I responded in my usual way, and as I passed on I distinctly heard them laughing. I hope for their sakes that they manage to retain that sense of humour because they’ll need it quite soon. I never forget a face, and our next meeting will prove far more amusing for me than for them.

By golly it will.

We sat in St James’s till two o’clock. It wasn’t warm, but we were out of the wind. Then Ginger said, ‘I’m gonna try round Trafalgar Square for a bit. Coming?’

I nodded. ‘If it’s okay with you. It’s time I had a go at getting some dosh by myself, but I’ll feel better if you’re somewhere around.’

He nodded. ‘Fair enough. Tell you what – you try outside the National Gallery. It’s not exactly the height of the tourist season but there are always people about, and you can see into the square from the steps.’

We walked back along Piccadilly, down the Haymarket and along Pall Mall. The Gallery wasn’t fantastically busy but there was a steady trickle of people going in and out. Some were sitting on the steps in spite of the cold. Ginger left me there. I watched him merge with the crowd, then turned my attention to the business of the day.