Broken Homes (Peter Grant #4)

by Ben Aaronovitch

In the 1950s and ’60s the powers that be made a concerted effort to rid London of its working class. The city was rapidly losing its industry and the large numbers of servants who were needed for the Edwardian household were being superseded by the technological wonders of the age of white goods. London just didn’t need that many poor people any more.

Phillip told me proudly that his mum had ceased to be a practicing Catholic the day after he came out. “She says she will go back to the Church the day it apologizes,” he said.

I did note a copy of Cloud Atlas on the bedside table.

Lots of hand gestures as he indicated where he wanted the solos to come in during the set because, as my dad always says, while improvisation and spontaneity may be the hallmarks of great jazz, the hallmark of being a great player is ensuring the rest of the band is spontaneously improvising the way you want them to.

“But this is the Spring Court,” he said. “The seasons have turned and cruel winter has passed. Lambs are gambolling, birds build their nests and the hardy bankers get their bonus. It is a time of forgiveness and second chances.”

Landscaping is the great cardinal sin of modern architecture.

I managed to bang my head against the wheel arch in startlement,

Rare word! Or coined?

God bless busybody community matriarchs, and all that sail in them.