Even though Deptford had told him a few stories of Beesley’s courage and dash on the hunting field, they seemed incompatible with a voice like a neurotic nanny goat and an obsession with trivia. But then, recollecting some senior civil servants for whom he had worked and ministers he had known, Amiss reminded himself that you got Tommy Beesleys in positions of authority in every walk of life. That thought just about carried him through their first conversation.‘Are you quite sure you’ve got that, young man?’‘Yes, thank you. All absolutely clear.’‘Just repeat the directions once more.’‘It’s OK, Tommy. I’ve written it all down.’‘No, no, you must set my mind at rest. It would never do if you got lost. We can’t have that happening.’‘Well, it would hardly be the end of western civilization as we know it,’ said Amiss irritably.‘What’s that?’‘Oh, nothing. Very well. I’ll meet you at the entrance to the platform from which the four-forty-five to Market Harborough departs.’‘Which station, which station?’‘St Paneras.’ He didn’t say ‘you old idiot’, but it was a close-run thing.
