[She really should be telling this to Gwen, he thinks. Gwen is gentle and maternal; she would put an arm around her and murmur nice, comforting things. Alfie isn't incapable of any of that, of course, but he's not so fast or so easy with it.

But then, he thinks, maybe an arm around her shoulders and soft, comforting words aren't actually what she wants at the moment.]

Yeah.

[He says, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees.]

Yeah, you've been through the wringer, all right, haven't you. It's a wonder you're not a gibbering mess right now. "Heart as still as water" - that's something he'd say to you, or something that was said about him?