I used to think that the pervading unluxury, which was not greatly alleviated in the chairman's sanctum, served the function of the disintegrating suit you wear on visits to the taxman: it made it harder to ask for another £25 advance when they couldn't even afford lino on the stairs.

This sort of relationship can improve quality of transportation and can help in negotiations between transportation providers and transportation product users.

I scabbed some money off a friend.

The last word of this sentence is bold.