He was a good listener, taking in every word as I explained about Eli, the Blackness and the meeting, and what Miss Calver had said.

‘What a bastard,’ he said finally. ‘That old boy’s been around forever. He was very kind to me when I was younger. Always giving me biscuits and the rest.’

‘Jimmy adores him,’ I said. ‘We must do something, and soon. But what?’

‘Are you really certain that saving the hut is the best thing to do?’ Kit asked. ‘Would he actually be better off in a council house, like they say?’

‘Honestly, it’s not as though I haven’t wondered that too. But I’ve seen how Eli loves the place. That glade, the trees, the birds. And he said he’d only leave if they were carrying him out in his coffin. And I believe he’s serious. I’m afraid that if they force him to move, he might just wither away and die.’

‘Blimey.’

‘So don’t you see? We have to do something.’

Kit went silent for a few moments. ‘Look, I think it’s brilliant that you want to help the old boy,’ he said. ‘And whatever you decide to do, you can count on me.’

I could have kissed him there and then, but something held me back, and then the moment had passed. Kit stood up and began to pace the ground in front of me. Suddenly he said, ‘We need a demonstration. What about a parade, with white horses and banners?’

‘Where are we going to get white horses?’ I said, starting to enjoy myself. Somehow, when Kit was around, I couldn’t help it.

‘And a brass band.’

‘We’ll chant, “Down with Blackman”.’

‘Give the bastard Blackman a black eye.’

‘The evil Blackness.’

He held his fingers in a cross, as though warding off the devil: ‘The curse of the Blackness.’

Turning him into a figure of fun gave me courage. We were still laughing when Jimmy appeared, calling us in for tea. ‘I’m hungry,’ he insisted, pulling at my arm. ‘Come on.’

‘Just a few more minutes,’ I said. ‘Come and sit down.’

I sat on a gravestone. Kit took one opposite and Jimmy sat down next to him. ‘Good lad,’ Kit said.

‘But seriously, what can we do? Any other ideas?’ I said.

‘A petition might be less controversial.’

‘But would people want to sign it? That’s the problem.’ I told him about the conversation I’d overheard in the church about people not wanting to get on the wrong side of Mr Blackman.