‘Well, I don’t know,’ said Achilles with a shrug. ‘It’s 2021. People are so busy with their lives that where else can you meet people other than online? I’m sure if I just randomly walked up to you in a bar and started talking, you’d think I was some crazy kid, punching above my weight.’

‘And I’m sure you’d never just randomly walk up to me in a bar. I’m old enough to be … well, your much older brother anyway.’

‘How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?’ asked Achilles. ‘Thirty-five? Thirty-six?’ He looked at Jeremy, hoping he wasn’t being too ingratiating. It never did to push things too far too soon.

‘A little older than that,’ said Jeremy, looking down at the table. ‘I’m fifty. I might as well be upfront about that right now. No point in starting off with a lie.’

‘You don’t look it,’ replied Achilles. ‘You’re in great shape for fifty. It’s good to see that you take such good care of yourself.’

‘Thank you, yes,’ said Jeremy, who was aware that he was in anything but great shape. ‘And you? Have you met many people?’

‘Oh no,’ said Achilles, shaking his head. ‘I only went on the site for a laugh, and then you messaged me, and I thought, this guy seems quite cool. I can’t talk to people my own age. They’re all so dumb. And I don’t have a father, you see.’

‘You didn’t know him or he’s dead?’

‘Dead. A couple of years ago now. I miss him. Someone to give me advice and help me out, you know? Someone to keep me on the right track.’

‘Well, it looks like your mum’s done a fine job with you anyway,’ said Jeremy. ‘You seem like a wonderful young man.’

‘Thank you, yeah, I try to be. God, it’s so easy to talk to you. I’m so glad I came.’

‘I am too. It’s funny, but when you’re actually in conversation with someone in real life, the age difference just slips away, doesn’t it? Honestly, Nick, I feel as if you’re just one of my regular friends. Even though you’re not much older than my son and—’

He stopped suddenly and Achilles watched as Jeremy bit his lip. That was a slip-up on his part. The marks never wanted to talk about their own families, especially not their kids. He stepped in for a quick save.

‘In my head, I’m a lot older than my years,’ he said. ‘I’ve been through so much already. I guess I really look up to people your age who’ve achieved something, you know? I’ve achieved nothing so far.’

‘Well, you’re young,’ said Jeremy. ‘It’s all in front of you.’