"What happened last night," he said, "in the past, I know, but still. It won't happen again. It won't. And I am sorry. I am. It was selfish. I've been..." he laughed again, slightly empty, and looked down at the sand.

"I've been too busy feeling sorry for myself to think about how it must be for you. And what I did? That was unforgivable. And don't argue with me on that, it was. And how could I want to go? How could I? Look at this, this place, and out there, all of it. There's so much. And there's you."

And because of course he could never be entirely serious, and to mask his words slightly, saying one thing and meaning another, "And come on, I make you look good. As if I could take that away from you."

And again serious.

"I won't. And as long as you want me around? I'll be there."