“If it’s enough for the guy who’s supposed to be their leader, it should be enough for them. But what do they matter anyway, here? They’re not the ones you’d be changing for, you don’t even know them. Not including Iris.”

Neal fiddles with the cloth napkin next to his tea, wishing it was paper he could shred. He does smile a little more when Malcolm mentions the practicalities relating to his job. His calling, really. “See, that’s what I’ve been waiting to hear. Why you want it. What makes the choice hard for you. I don’t care about Lark’s feelings one way or the other. What matters to me is that you’re doing this because there’s something you truly want from it other than approval from strangers.”