‘I said, “You cancelled the train, and you know you did. You’ve got a customer here, telling you he had to fork out extra to get home. Do something for me,” I said. I said, “If you can’t reimburse me, send me vouchers. I’m not lying to you, am I? I’m out of pocket by thirty-seven pounds.” This was some… I don’t know – it was a call centre, presumably. How bright do you have to be to work in a call centre? How many exams do you have to fail to get a job like that? “You need to fill in a form,” he said. “I don’t want to,” I said. “I can send you one if you like.” I just hung up.’

‘I’ve had similar experiences—’

‘You know what they’re going to ask you. Dates, times, proof of purchase. Attach your ticket or receipt. Where did you purchase the ticket, what’s your date of birth, what’s your shoe size? I can’t be bothered with it – not for a few quid. Life’s too short.’

Michael took out his carton of juice.

The man’s hair was dark and thin. He had combed it back from his temples emphasising the fat round oval of his face. He didn’t wear glasses, and he had the kind of fleshy eyes that goggle slightly: there was a ring of shadow round both sockets, caused by the creases of the flesh, and Michael thought they looked almost removable, as if he was trying out a new pair. His mouth was a permanent frown, and whilst he was clean-shaven the stubble on his upper lip stood out like dust or a smudge – you wanted to reach over with a handkerchief and clean it. He was taking his coat off. He should have taken it off before he sat down, because it was awkward now and for a moment he was wrestling himself, tugging an arm free and breathing heavily. At last, it was off and on the seat next to him, and Michael was looking at a patterned, V-neck pullover and a sky-blue shirt. He wore a dark blue tie, but the knot was pulled down allowing the collar to sit wide open – and his frowning, frog-like mouth was open, too, as if his jaw muscles were tired.

At school, he would have been made to tidy himself up. Mr Trace would have taken him aside for a quiet word, for the boys he liked received special attention: he would fasten their top buttons for them, forcing them to stand helplessly prone, with their heads back.

Michael took his spectacles off, wondering how best to clean them. The cloth he liked to use was in the case with his other pair, and that was in the bag. He needed his glass, too, but he didn’t want to be delving for that.

He sat still.