Chapter 6That evening in The Cross Keys tavern, William’s preferred establishment, Jehan and Gregory were regaled with tales of the infant prodigy Benjamin who was clearly more advanced than any two-month-old babe on God’s green earth. As William extended the litany of praise past the first and into the second tankard, Gregory caught Jehan’s eye and hid his grin with a mouthful of beer.
Not that they minded William’s pride in his new son, especially tonight. They were both too mellow with their good news to be impatient with anyone else’s happiness. Also, Gregory thought tolerantly, William not only endeavoured to socialise with his mismatched friends but also did his best to blend in.
The Cross Keys was not as racy as a Bankside drinking den on the far side of the Thames. Southbank was
