Grateful for the pillows, Olver allowed himself a moment to relax, physically and emotionally. There was a moment's consideration before he responded, the tenor of his voice unusually somber.
'I was stabbed,' he said plainly, looking into Audrey's kind face. 'I was manipulated. My friends were- treated unspeakably. My wife-' Oliver paused, having to swallow a lump at the memory of Verity's tears and obvious suffering. 'They took something from all of us in that place, Audrey, and from out loved ones. I feel indescribably shit.'
And then after a breath, a smile, 'How are you?' as simply as that, the moment was over.