Alex was fascinating. Jack had thought this already, yes. But the more time he sat and watched her, the more he realised he could happily sit and do so for rather a long time. And then a little more. And not just that, he realised there was something under her surface he wanted to scratch away. He had no idea what that was, but something.

And so maybe it was that thought, or maybe something else, but when she spoke he was utterly unsurprised. That said, he let out a small laugh. He wasn't laughing at her, just a simple laugh, and he leaned forward, arms rested on the table and hands clasped together in front of him.

"You know what?" he said, his words and tone echoing hers. "So am I."