Reading progress update: I've read 26 out of 234 pages.

"Why not someone professional?"
"No one would talk to a stranger about Morley as they will to you. Anyway you said you wanted a job. I'm offering you one."
I was staggered, so disappointed that I couldn't speak.
"There's no reason why you shouldn't take it", he went on. "You've got bugger all to do."
"Yes I have, I exist full time."
This is charming so far, even if the story started off very grim.
There is a definite 60s vibe in this which makes for a pleasant change. I've not read a good book with a 60s feel in absolute ages. Not since my foray into Stan Barstow's work a few years ago, I think.
Let's see how this continues.