If he did not, a charming explanation would not protect me.

I could care about him and remain free to decide how close he came.

Before leaving, Vincent picked up the compass from the bookshelf.

He turned it in his hand, then put it back exactly where it had been.

‘Walter would be proud of you,’ he said.

‘I hope so,’ I answered.

‘But I don’t have to know that to be proud of myself.’

After he left, I watched Owen sleep for a few minutes.