A boy of about seven carrying a large backpack walks along Orsett Road chatting with his Dad. Where might they be going? Church? Seems unlikely. Serious though they look, the dress code for the new wave of Black Evangelical Churches in Grays ranges from the Handmaiden’s Tale look (white robes and squashed chef’s hats) to the distinctly snazzy. The Dad was wearing camouflage cargo shorts, which probably wouldn’t make it past the divine bouncers on the doors. On the same stretch of street a couple of weeks ago I saw a sharp looking young Pastor who was offsetting his stark black shirt and gleaming white dog collar with a spotless, figure caressing, bright mustard camel coat. He had a confident, world conquering walk. Hot priest, indeed.

Just past the Magistrates Court onto London road, the Dad stops and checks his phone, letting his son walk ahead to his destination. The Grays Tuition Centre – “Your Child … Our Priority” (next door to Divine Styles and Cosmetics and Tahmina & Co Criminal Solicitors – not a place to hang out, you never know who you might meet) and offering courses to get you through the tests for Maths, English, 11 plus.

As the boy gets closer to the door and further from his Dad, his pace slows and his mood deadens. He slowly mounts the steps and quietly enters the building, seemingly in the hope that if no one sees him, he won’t really be there.

* cue song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhbyj8pqUao