‘I’m not looking for any more friends,’ Ben said. Least of all Isaac, he added in his head. Callum was his friend. Melissa and Lance, too. Isaac was just a sad, pathetic loser, and Ben wasn’t going to let himself turn into the same thing.

‘I’m not trying to interfere,’ said Father Steiner. ‘I just think that if you and Isaac were to spend a bit more time together, you’d find you have an awful lot in common.’

As if on cue, a door opened somewhere in the nave. There were footsteps, and Ben could tell even before Isaac appeared from around the corner who it would be. When Isaac reached the transept and noticed Ben, he abruptly stopped walking.

‘I have to go,’ Ben announced, standing up.

‘Already?’ said Father Steiner, looking disappointed. He looked from one boy to the other.

‘I’ve got lessons.’

‘But … it’s lunchtime,’ said Father Steiner. ‘And anyway, there was something I wanted to give you. That’s why I came here hoping to find you. Just … give me a moment. Half a moment. I’ll be right back, I promise.’

Before Ben could respond, Father Steiner swished off towards the vestry, touching Isaac’s arm in greeting as he passed. Isaac looked at Ben suspiciously – what are you doing here? – and then trailed after the chaplain, once again reminding Ben of a sad little puppy. It made him think of all the rumours about Father Steiner, too, and Callum referring to Isaac as the chaplain’s favourite. Was that why Father Steiner wanted Ben and Isaac to be friends? So Ben would become one of his ‘favourites’, too?

A few moments later, Father Steiner reappeared on his own.

‘Here,’ he said, holding something aloft as he strode back. His footsteps echoed in the refrigerator air.

‘What is it?’ said Ben, curious in spite of himself.

‘It’s a book,’ said Father Steiner, stopping in front of him and holding out the book with both hands. He was slightly out of breath, and he smiled through parted lips. ‘I thought … Well. I thought you’d be interested.’

Ben read the title. The World’s Greatest Cathedrals. The chaplain was turning the pages, showing Ben some of the photographs inside.

‘It’s yours to keep. Assuming you want it. I found it at a charity bookshop at the weekend. It’s in excellent condition, and some of the photos are magnificent.’

He closed the book and held it out again. Ben accepted it gingerly.

‘I … Thanks.’

‘You’re very welcome. You will show me if you decide to make sketches of some of the details in the photographs?’

‘Sure,’ said Ben. ‘I guess.’ He tucked the book under his arm and made to head towards the vestibule. Three steps along the aisle, he stopped, an idea occurring to him.

He turned back.