“Zechariah is fine,” he said quickly with a smitten smile.

He took ‘Father’s hand and shook it.

“Hello, Mr... uh,” the smile faltered, and shook like a vase on an uneven table. “Hello!”

He caught the look, and was reminded of early university hazing. What was this fellow roping him into? Goodness. He cast an uneasy look back, but it was gone in an instant and he assumed the role cast to him.

“I still fail to understand...” his eyes flicked between Simon and ‘Father,’ “them,” he said with an earnestness not entirely faked. “You will have to show me again some time, Simon.”