May tried to look enthusiastic, but the thought of talking about the new baby filled him with horror. He had never been much of a royalist; neither had his father. There was something incompatible about being a Methodist and yet a supporter of the Queen. She might be head of the Church of England, but there was no place for a sovereign in the non-Conformist hierarchy. But then, there was no real hierarchy: the movement had been built on democracy; on ordinary people having a say. That was why it had spawned the Co-operative Society and the Labour Party. May thought of life in the 21st century. Perhaps there was no need for Methodism now: it had done its job; got people the vote and improved living standards; helped to abolish slavery and evened up the odds. What would John Wesley say if he came back now? ...

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