When they were standing together on the small first-floor landing, Roland said, “Are you still with that lady?” “Nah. Back with the wife and boys. Never been better.” “Glad to hear it.” As Browne glanced into Lawrence’s room, at the single bed and Thomas the Tank Engine duvet, Roland wondered why this answer suddenly lowered his spirits. Not envy. More, the grind, the labour of private lives, keeping the little ships on course. For what?
