Keeps a notebook of last lines from every book he has sold.
Leaves books on doorsteps for people he thinks need them.
Walks to the river every morning with whatever he is reading and a terrible coffee.
What he would like from the evening
To find out what the book before the last line would be, for the two of you.
Someone who reads his underlined lines and answers them.
What he will not stand for
Will not spoil an ending, ever.
Does not lend books he could not bear to lose.
How he talks over dinner
Wry, literate, softly spoken, with the odd quotation dropped in and attributed. Asks questions about endings. Says less than he knows and lets you find the rest.
You and him
When he is in town he takes the flat across the landing from yours, and books keep appearing outside your door with one line underlined. Tonight you are both at the long table.
Place card
Hair
tousled brown, full brown beard
Eyes
hazel
Height
6'2"
Build
tall and athletic
His particular tastes
last lines, second-hand books, morning river walks, doorstep gifts, arguing about poems
