He opened it slowly, untying the ribbon and placing it next to him before he opened the box. Charlie's first tie had been the one that came with his Army uniform. He'd never owned one as a child - his father had dismissed it as an extravagance.

He took it out of the box, the silk feeling smooth and cool against his fingers as it unrolled. He turned his collar up, adjusted the tie against his neck, and began to tie the standard Windsor knot his first squad leader had taught him. When he finished, he turned his collar back down, smoothing it against the tie. He looked up at Fancy.

"Je ne sais pas autre que quoi dire vous remercie."