out what happened, but he doesn't reply, which makes her think that there is something more to the story of her brother's death. She seeks the help of her former Slade lover Paul Tarrant, wounded in battle, and best friend Catherine, to find out what really happened to Toby, no matter what the truth is. They find Neville at The Queen's Hospital, Sidcup, a hospital that exclusively treats facial wounds, and it is also where Tonks is working, using his skills as an artist to depict the wounds, and recovery through surgery pioneered by Harold Gillies, of the injured soldiers hospitalised there. Neville is reluctant to tell Toby's story, and in the meantime Elinor agrees to join Tonks in helping to draw the patients there. Kit struggles through his surgery and recovery, slowly revealing to the reader, and finally to Paul, that Toby's cavalier attitude towards putting his men in danger by taking massive risks took his toll on Neville, and when he caught Toby having sex with a stable boy he reported him. His superior officer gave Toby a choice between court martial and 'doing the right thing', i.e. killing himself in No Man's Land and being labelled a hero. Paul reluctantly tells Elinor about how her brother died, and is surprised that it brings her some peace. The Brookes sell the family home, further fragmenting them after Toby's death, and Elinor looks to her future as an artist. Characters Elinor Brooke - A painter, graduate of Slade, major character in Life Class Paul Tarrant - A painter from the North, major character in Life Class Kit Neville - A painter, also a peer of Elinor and Paul's from Slade. He is a highly disagreeable and arrogant figure. He was a stretcher-bearer for Toby Brooke before being wounded and horrifically disfigured in the face. Henry 'Harry' Tonks - Fine Arts professor at Slade, a real-life figure, partially fictionalised for the novel. Toby Brooke - Elinor's brother Catherine - Elinor's best friend at Slade. She has German ancestry and has been persecuted during the War as a result. Harold Gillies - Medical officer and surgeon at The Queen's Hospital. A real-life figure who is considered to be the father of plastic surgery Rachel Brooke - Elinor and Toby's older sister Mr and Mrs Brooke - Elinor, Toby and Rachel's parents. They are estranged, but will not admit it in polite