"They're loud. Kids. I don't like their voices, so shrill." That was his opinion on kids. he'd never spent any extended time around them, he tended to simply send them off when they bothered him somewhere. "Your bloke sounds like a right bastard."

Seemed worthwhile to point that out. "Break it up with him and find someone better."

All right, so that was an order. But it might wear off before Bill got around to it. And, if not, what was the harm? A better partner was a good idea. Someone who could take care of him properly. Someone who appreciated him. Nothing sinister about that.

There first course was served and Barty started eating his appetiser, glancing over at Bill. "Eat what you want, I don't care if you finish it. It's overpriced anyway."

Not that he was going to pay, but still. It was the principle of the matter.