Eileen was leaving, which was unfortunate, because it meant that Kieran would be here alone with his pint and Jude's disappointment. He could have a conversation with his — man, for lack of a better term — without things deteriorating, Kieran was sure; but he was much more used to escalating their arguments before he de-escalated them, and did not want to particularly do the whole process right now. So maybe it was that he had not before done one of these conversations without things deteriorating.

"I know you can keep a secret," he said, "But it's — complicated. I've never had a story this big before."