‘Mr Mayhood, could I ask you something?’

‘Yes, of course. What’s on your mind?’

‘It’s just that I’ve been thinking – why did you choose me for this? I mean, I can’t help wondering if someone else deserved it more.’

But Mr Mayhood had laughed softly. ‘Oh, you earned it fair and square. Your drawing was the best we saw, no question. It had real control, precision. Vision – most important. And a little something unexpected. That’s what I was hoping we would find. And here you are, look, proving my sound judgement.’

He’d been sheepish about voicing what he’d felt, but said it anyway: ‘You’ve changed my life. I wanted you to know that.’

Mr Mayhood hadn’t answered to begin with. His eyes had narrowed as he’d put his glass down, as though thinking, Hasn’t been two months yet, lad. Bit early for that surely? But then he’d cleared his throat and spoken: ‘Not at all. You’ve changed it. I just opened up the door to let you through.’ He’d leaned back on the counter, grabbing the short pincers of his false hand with the other. ‘Let me tell you something I’ve discovered, Charlie, and I’m certain this is true. More certain than I’ve ever been, in fact.’ He’d paused to make sure he was being listened to. ‘If every person on this earth was born with just two things, they’d never have to struggle. Do you know what those things are? Belief and opportunity. Belief and opportunity. But the problem is they’re gifts that other people have to give you. If you get them from your parents, then you’re lucky. Otherwise you have to find them somewhere else, from people who don’t know you well or owe you anything. A lot of people spend a long time searching for those things, and some find one but not the other. Some give up entirely. Me? I stumbled on them. I was fortunate. Someone cared enough to get to know me and to set his store by what he saw in me. And that’s how life should be. Belief and opportunity for everyone. I’m only passing on what I was given at your age. And I don’t plan to stop with you and Joyce.’

They’d gone back upstairs to plane the last few lengths of timber. As they’d worked, he’d sensed that Mr Mayhood was content to have his company, to share his purpose. And he’d thought to say, ‘Who was it helped you, after you got out?’