'Oh, you needn't worry; I hardly expect you to be an expert.'

He peers down at Johnny, a tweedy shark in bifocals and a small, falsely mild smile. Caressingly, his gaze takes in the chipped tooth, the ill-looking cast to his smile, and he imagines for a moment taking him by the throat again. But no, no, not yet.

'Like I say, I know nothing at all, really; I am merely a... student.'

'Come now!' he says with sudden briskness, stepping around Johnny in such a way that his hand ends up at his lower back; gentle, encouraging pressure for Johnny to follow as he makes his way to the bed. 'Let's have a talk, hmm? Just a talk. Why don't you tell me about how you found the manuscript?'