Awkward silence fell like a curtain on a finishing act. It wouldn't have been so bad if Jess wasn't clearly the odd man out in the wordless conflict between the other two.

For Thorfinn's benefit, Jess leaned forward in his chair and pointedly gestured at them, then jerked his thumb at the door, signalling his intention. "Right then. If you two need a minute, I'll get going."

Let it not be said a Brightwell didn't know when to get out while the getting was good.