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"Mr Clark"

Not a flicker of recognition The boy shrugged and disappeared, and Edaited

It had been years since he’d imposed on Patrick His friend had never breathed a word of the debt that Edward had incurred He wouldn’t--Patrick wasn’t the sort to parcel out hat to whom That’s why Edward had to keep score on his behalf Those debts would never balance All Edward could hope was to keep thereat oaf," a li his arms around him

"Not a word in response to ra waved at a hazy distance I thought you would--"

"You thought I wouldn’t help?" Edward asked gravely

Patrick pulled away, holding Edward at arh for ht perhaps you wouldn’t visit"

Edward had considered it There wasn’t a person on the planet who knew him as Patrick did, and Patrick had an unreasonably rosy outlook on Edward’s flaws Itaround the s Edward had done; it was the way Patrick was Patrick didn’t lie He didn’t cheat He was honorable, fair, and reliable--everything that Edas not

It was only an accident of history that they were friends at all--history, and Patrick’s staunch refusal to turn his back on his oneti that friendship His very presence was corrupting

He’d eradicated guilt from every other aspect of his life, but he couldn’t be rid of it here He loved his friend far too well to let a little guilt stop hiht I’d stop by"

"Oh, the vicinity" Patrick sly "You’re here on a whim, then?"

It had been several hours by railway

Patrick punched Edward in the shoulder "Idiot At least this way I can thank you in person It’s late enough that Ioff work Co off?" Edward raised an eyebrow in mock incredulousness and took out a pocket watch He examined this in mock seriousness "But it’s not quite six Do you dare leave a full nine minutes early?"

Patrick’s face sobered in conteht I should do one last set of rounds, "

Patrick shook his head ruefully "I’m not"

So Edaited while his friend puttered about, conscientiously checking oats and water That was Patrick That had been Patrick’s father, too--the stable e that the lessons Edward had learned from that man hadin your search for perfection Think about matters fro can forestall a day of disaster It didn’t ; it was still excellent advice