Simon stared down, and then around the room, and then back down again, desperate to find something to say to lift the awkward silence. He thought he knew what Mr. Meijer might need from him, and yet he was afraid to be the first to bring it up.

And then, just to fill the silence, he blurted out:

"Ye should come over for dinner at our place sometime."

No he shouldn't. No he absolutely should not!