"Apologies for the delay," Alfie said cheerily as he joined Gemma in the snug of the bar, pleased to note that he had not spilled a drop of either of their drinks when he'd been obliged to maneuver through the pub like he was following the erratic path of bludgers once again. (Why were there so many people here? it was Wednesday for goodness sake!) Triumphant, he took his seat opposite her and grinned sheepishly; he had gotten here twenty minutes before her and guarded this spot like a feral dog, but she didn't need to know that. The little bit of privacy was well worth the effort and he was pleased to see that no one had taken his absence as a cue to push their way in.

"It's standing room only out there and...well, I'd have to crouch down to hear you," he joked, taking a sip of his drink and smacking his lips with pleasure. Leaning forward on his elbow, drink carefully poised for another taste, he became more sincere: "How are you? It's been ages and, well, I know it's been a terrible few months."