The quiz at the Hoy is on a Tuesday and has been since 1991, and I was wedged in at the wall end of a bench built for four with Elias on my left, because there was nowhere else, and his arm along the back of it because there was nowhere else for that either.
“Question one. What is a dodman?”
“A boat,” said Dev.
“Snail,” said Tomasz.
“Snail?”
“Snail. Write snail.” Tomasz did not look up. “I have been here nineteen years and I listen, which is more than I can say for any of you.”
We came fourth out of nine. At about half nine Dev did the card trick, badly on purpose and then perfectly, and produced the seven of clubs from under Tomasz’s pint, and Derek had to say ladies and gentlemen twice.
“I hate him,” said Cleo, with her whole face shining. “I hate him…
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