Summary

In Chapter 5, Nat reveals he will play 15 badminton games with Ed before “the Fall,” without saying what the fall is. He says how much badminton and Athleticus means to him, and that he enjoyed all games with Ed but the last.

Their first game, Ed arrives late and grumpy, which annoys Nat. Nat wins and really enjoys the game, saying Ed played with grace. Ed asks to go for a drink after, but Nat must refuse due to work. Ed insists they place again. Nat ends up cancelling many times due to work.

After their eventual second game, they go to a table by the bar to have drinks, which becomes their post-game routine. Ed asks Nat about his political views saying he knows that he is overly-earnest, but he needs to know if Nat, like Ed, believes Brexit was a huge mistake and...