‘Oh, Mr Lloyd’s up in Cumberland for a day or two.’
‘Cumberland! When did he go to Cumberland?’
‘Thursday afternoon.’
‘When do you expect him back?’
‘Oh, they’ve just gone for a day or two.’
‘They? Mahmoud too.’
‘Of course Mahmoud too. Mr Lloyd he doesn’t go anywhere without Mahmoud goes with him.’
‘I see. Can you give me his address?’
‘I’d give it you if I had it. But they don’t bother with re-addressing when they go for only a day or two. Will you leave a message? Or will you call back, perhaps? They’ll like as not arrive back this afternoon.’
No, he would not leave a message. He would come back. His name did not matter.