‘I really don’t see how schoolboy escapades could possibly end in murder years later. I probably ought to be in Germany talking to Thayer’s business partner – what’s his name? – Heinrich Hoffmann.’ He swung the Lagonda in front of a tram, to the driver’s fury. ‘But the fact that the three boys who were expelled . . .’ ‘We say “sacked”,’ Edward interjected. ‘Sacked then, as if I care about your jargon. It’s just another way in which you can make yourself special and feel superior to us lesser mortals.’ ‘What is?’ ‘A secret language. Instead of tuck you say “sock”, and your “halves” instead of terms, and “dames” and “beaks”. Please don’t try and make me feel small.’ ‘But you are small,’ said Edward unwisely. Verity punched him so hard he almost drove the car into a roundsman’s cart and was sworn at once again. ‘Joke, Verity, just a joke.’ ‘Yes, well, remember Napoleon was small.’ ‘I know, that’s so interesting.
