While Charles had been subject to that stare rarely, he knew to behave when he got it. So he shut his mouth as Edwin spoke. Then just nodded, his ears were still burning.

"Yes, right, of course, priorities, mate, we're professionals after all," Charles said, clearing his throat. Professionals, yes, so he wished he could start focusing again on the task at hand rather than thinking of not-very-professional things. So he kept his mind and body busy with anything he could, almost desperately so. Edwin barely had to ask for anything Charles was already there to tidy up, to take, to bring over...