Le Temps shakes his head and wrinkles his forehead till it looks like sand ripples on the beach. He’s still staring at Big Ben. I want Big Ben to say something about being nicknamed Big Ben because he’s big and broad and he likes keeping time like the bell in the Houses of Parliament, but he doesn’t say anything. That means he doesn’t like Le Temps. Big Ben’s very good at judging character.

Le Temps stops staring and smiles at us all.

‘As you all know, I’m Le Temps. Le Temps means weather in French.’

I knew that but Big Ben wouldn’t have known. Le Temps almost whispers the next sentence, so we have to really concentrate.

‘Le Temps also means time. In the abstract.’

Our mouths move like we’re saying WOW but me most of all. That’s the best name ever! I have no idea what ‘in the abstract’ means but I’ll look it up. Imagine having a name that means two different things at the same time! I wish we didn’t have to call him Mr T. I decide to call him Mr T to his face but Le Temps in my head.

‘Are you French?’

The words come out before I can stop them. I wanted to say a longer sentence because in school they tell us we have to ask questions and give answers in full sentences and this is a bit like school. I hope I don’t get into trouble. Le Temps smiles like his teeth are stuck together.

‘No. English as they come. But French is the best language.’

After that, Le Temps asks us what we want to achieve this week. GMT wants to learn more about the eco-ethics of the centre, man. Ama wants to learn mentoring so she can run activity camps when she’s a grown-up. I say I want to become more confident because the future is better for Leaplings like me. But that isn’t primarily what I want. What I really really want is to know what SOS L means. But I can’t say that because no one knows about the Predictive. It isn’t lying. It’s just saying ONE of the things I want to achieve this week. Big Ben doesn’t say anything. I don’t think he likes Le Temps because he doesn’t drive a Ferrari or rap.