Chapter 2Once the day was over, after making the short walk to the boarding house off Great Ormond Street, Raymond’s restlessness returned. He attempted to quash the familiar symptoms of frustration as he ate the uninspired but palatable evening meal of mince and mashed potatoes his landlady had provided, habitually refusing the proffered portion of a jam sponge. While eating, he attempted to converse with his fellow boarders in the dining room. Afterwards, he even sat in the front room to try to read the daily paper.
Eventually, he recognised those distractions that usually soothed him would not suffice tonight. Only when he was almost twitching with nerves did Raymond admit defeat, returning upstairs to his room briefly for his hat, his Burberry raincoat, and his wallet.
“Going to The
