‘A fella at the Corporation up in Liverpool. His name was Mr Wheating. I didn’t even think he liked me very much, but he surprised me. Aftercare had set me up in his department: city planning. On a trial basis only, mind. I knew it was a blessing, even if I earned a pittance. This is looking better now, I think …’ Mr Mayhood had reached down to brush the shavings from the beam, and then he’d kept on planing. ‘Wasn’t much for me to do there to begin with. I just filed away the drawings, made the tea and organized the post. But then one of the draughtsmen went on sick leave and I asked if I could pitch in with some drawing. Wheating told me no, but I just kept on asking. I suppose he got annoyed with all my pestering and, in the end, he gave me a block plan to copy. I still remember what it was: a big municipal estate in Norris Green, and I was told to do it twice. I had those finished in a day or two and I could tell he was impressed, you know, because he had a wobble in his face – like this – but he just gave me something else to copy out. Another block plan, only much more complicated. Something from the Tunnel project. When I brought that back, he gave me a few more. Eventually, he calls me in to see him in his office. He says, Look here, Mayhood, I’ve been speaking to some people at the architecture school. I’d like to keep you on, because I know that I could put you to good use, but I believe you’ll have a brighter future over there. They’d like to meet you. Well, next thing I know, I’m sat across a table from Charles Reilly, and he’s looking over all my copied drawings. After that, I get a letter saying they have a scholarship for me. I thought it was a wind-up. All that I could think about were other lads at Feltham I’d been in with. I was just like you. I couldn’t understand how I’d got all the luck while most of them were still inside or grinding out a living. But, you see, that’s what I mean: belief and opportunity. They’re simple things that shouldn’t be so hard to find. And I’m just trying to do my part.’

It sickened Charlie that his sister had been taking this for granted. Every minute she was late, every time she muttered grievances under her breath or shook her head and scowled, it came across as an affront to the intentions of the Mayhoods. To stay out with some fella overnight and not turn up to do her chores or farmwork in the morning? Well, that shamed him just as much as it shamed her. The worst part was – and wasn’t this just typical? – she’d managed to involve him in her scheming, too.