[Tally needs to pick up her young handman, Ryan, who might be in trouble. She is giving him directions on the phone.]

“There’s a church, Ryan, All Saints, Margaret Street. Walk up Great Portland Street towards the BBC and Margaret Street is on the right. You can sit quietly in the church until I come. No one will worry or interfere with you. Or you can kneel. No one will speak to you then.”

“Like I’m praying? God’ll strike me dead!”

“Of course He won’t, Ryan. He doesn’t do things like that.”

“He does! Terry — my mum’s last bloke — he told me. It’s in the Bible.”

“Well He doesn’t do things like that now.”

Oh dear, she thought. I’ve made it sound as if He’s learnt better.

The Murder Room, by P.D. James, pp. 237 – 238