‘Gentlemen, look to the other brave new nations of the world that have embraced federalism: Argentina, Canada, Switzerland, the United States—’

‘And look what happened there—they all but wiped ’emselves out in a bloody great civil war!’

Alasdair smiled and released both hands from their grip on the lectern, holding them before him, palms upwards. Someone always mentioned the American war.

‘Our nation will be created out of peace not out of war. This, gentlemen, will be our legacy. And is it not a sweet and noble legacy to leave our children and our children’s children? Does it not stir the blood to know that we here today, and at the polling booth on the twentieth of June, will make history?’

The red-faced man made some reply to this, but as the hall had erupted into applause and loud cheers his reply was lost.

The speeches were over. A show of hands was called: those for Federation and those against, the result being not quite unanimous but surely a clear majority in favour. The mayor beamed and his councillors congratulated each other with vigorous handshakes and jocular slaps on the back.

Alasdair Dunlevy shook every hand that was offered to him, making a point of greeting each member of the council and all the aldermen and the irritating little shopkeeper who had spoken out against him, and keeping one eye on the door and his fob watch and on his secretary, who lingered near the stage with their coats and umbrellas making hurry-up gestures, and on the photographer from the local paper who, surely, was going to ask for a picture?—yes, here was the fellow now—and striking just the right pose as the flash went off. Time for another? Yes, certainly—this time with the minister in the centre. And if the glow of victory had begun already to dissipate, it was only because Alasdair had been here at this very same hall with these very same men a year ago, almost to the day, and the mood that evening had been buoyant, celebratory, just as it was tonight, and a few days later they had lost the referendum.

Outside the rain continued to fall. Evening had become night.