"That's bloody odd, isn't it?" He'd have to ask Tink if those wretched little things were getting a little more uppity than usual. The one thing he had to give her was how frustrating it must be. In fact she likely wouldn't be quite as fond of him if she knew how often and how fluidly he lied. "I'll avoid questions, love." Barring that last one, obviously.

He had to laugh at her inquiry. "Gods, no. I said I'd give you a good night, I don't think bowling qualifies." And one probably could not pay the old man enough to actually bowl. If he'd ever tried (and he had) he wasn't good at it. He waved for the waiter to call for the bill. "I guess it will be a surprise then, sweetheart."