'He was a weak man,' he says simply, and lapses into an exhausted silence.

There's one all-persuasive thought that's bothered him through all of this, has bothered him since Harry all those years ago. She knows, because he's already told her but that doesn't make it any less bothersome.

'Could've been me. Could've been any of us. Well, 'cept you, probably. Could still be Ray, one day, if I take my eye off 'im for too long.'

He stretches for his coat and one of the hipflasks inside it. If there was ever a need for hair of the dog, it's this morning.

'It's the second time it's happened an' I still don' know how t'stop it happenin' again.'