Annabel and Jim had accepted an invitation to spend New Year’s Eve with the Harris’s. They had put Olivia to bed in Harris’s spare room and settled down to enjoy the evening.
“This year will be Roberts’ last,” said Charlotte, raising her glass in what everyone hoped was a prophetic toast.
“Have you heard from Ben?” David asked Jim.
“Yes, it turns out they asked him to resign ‘voluntarily’ otherwise, he was told, it might affect his pension.”
“How’s he doing?”
“I think Ben always had money and there’s a family business. I think he’ll be okay.”
As Jim said this, he was reflecting on his own lack of means and absence of family income.
“And how are your lectures going?” David probed.
“I’m down to three students, they graduate this year and the ministry seems to be against new matricula
