The two were too far away and spoke too quietly to listen to their conversation, but Tristan had watched them while pretending not to watch them. Mr. Meijer had not left a positive impression on him, and had had no reason to budge into the conversation to begin with.

When the young stranger gave him a helpless look, he offered a small gesture with the head, a silent invitation, should the kid want to remove himself from Mr. Meijer. Tristan didn't like confrontation, and already felt uncomfortable reflecting on his own rudeness of some moments ago. He wasn't eager to jump back in. But he still wanted to offer the kid a way out, should it be necessary.