"Busy feels like something of an understatement for such a week," Mathias observes, then runs his knuckles against Veronica's arm lightly. He's never been one for empty platitudes and he doubts she needs them now, after so long, but the touch is meant to be a comfort anyway.

"When I went to university, it seemed to matter less somehow," he says. "The money, I mean. We were all there to learn finally."