Chapter 5
The next day, the class set out in stifling heat for the National Gallery. Mr Keller tried to make his charges walk in two orderly columns, but they grew more and more disorganised the farther they got from the school. Ben lagged behind the rest, and Mr Keller looked at him with undisguised contempt. This was the least of his worries. It was Lucas and Robbe he was trying to steer clear of. The two boys were boasting loudly about the previous day’s prank with the beer, much to the amusement of several others.
Sticking to her previous day’s resolution, Maya greeted Ben at the tram stop with a wide grin. After boarding the tram, she settled into the seat next to him.
“Are there many museums where you come from?” she asked to break the awkward silence.
This reminded Ben of when h
