Ben did not drink at all. And he had taught his children not to drink either, although he doubted Tom and Simon had always obeyed - he knew Simon had not. Still Ben liked going to the pub when his leg was not too bad, to catch up with the local news and see friends. He did not go to this pub normally, but he had been to see Maggie and decided to stop at the nearest pub.

When he spotted Claude in the corner, he took his tea and approached. "Claude. It's been a long time, son." There had been a time Claude was over all the time, for he had been close friends with Simon. But Ben had hardly seen him since Simon's arrest. Not waiting for an invitation, Ben sat down. "How've you been, lad?"