In which Tony breaks the news of his impending journey to LaFlamme.

I called LaFlamme and told her I was being sent on a narrowboat expedition.

“Like a canoe?” she said.

“Bigger than a canoe,” I replied.

“Like a liner?”

“Well, no, smaller than a liner. You don’t see too many of those on the canal.”

“Like a yacht?” I could hear her having difficulties visualising such a fantastical vessel so I explained as best as I could that a narrowboat was a kind of houseboat favoured by Cary Grant types who have the ennui with modern life.

“When do we leave?” she said.