Outside the dealer’s showroom, the Riley RM stands gleaming. The black paintwork appears to have a gloss like a grand piano in the August sunshine. Brian is looking at the vehicle studiously, almost caressing the roof as he studies every piece of metal carefully. It has hydraulic brakes, he is saying. Oh yes, and an overhead camshaft.
Elsie shakes her head and tells him that means nothing to her. She doesn’t even know what a camshaft is. He, in turn, shakes his head at her lack of knowledge and opens the driver’s door. He loves all the wood detailing inside and the sense that this is a high-quality car. The new-car smell is something he is sensuously aware of. Twelve horsepower, he tells Elsie. “I’m pleased to hear it,” she replies. “Not that I have the faintest idea what that means, eith
