His maid wasn't such a good cook yet. That was why he was out tonight. It had nothing to do with feeling lonely and trapped in his home. It was better after all, this life in Whitby. And it was, in many ways. He didn't have to face the horrors of the asylum or his occasional prison duties.

And yet these institutions had given him structure and people to talk to. Here, he didn't have that many clients yet and once his workday was finished, he would feel a certain discomfort sneak up on him. He had been looking forward to living closer to Tobias. But his old school friend was busy with his work and his new wife and her troubles. Tristan had soon come to realize that apart from Tobias, he didn't know anyone here. And that was tougher than he had thought. It wasn't easy making friends when one didn't know anyone. Especially in his position. 

He didn't like to admit it. And so he had told himself that he was going out for a drink and a good meal and to give Pippa a break, not for any other reason. He was fine. The move to Whitby had been a good decision.

He found a pub with the odd name the Duckless Rooster and stepped inside. It was quiet, since it was still quite early. He sat down at the bar and waved to get the barman's attention. "Do ye serve food?"