"I never say no to hugs. Well, unless I'm working. Then hugs tend to get you knifed in the back pretty quickly," he says with a wry smile. "That's fine. I know it might be strange but I- I need to be able to separate my feelings, work out what's friendship and what's more." He wasn't a god. Couldn't work the same way.

He does recognise the significance, draws in a sharp breath when she swears on it, and gives a slow nod. "You've been honest. That's all I can really ask for," he says, his smile a little strained. "Better a clean break than ending with someone feeling resentful, right?"