“I didn’t think it would take that long to get home. Didn’t want to talk about it.” Jim wasn’t being quite honest; he didn’t even want to think about it. Jake raised an eyebrow.

“Were you even close?”

“Not a chance. She went for more than my entire backpay.”

“Just as well. I don’t know what you were doing bidding in the first place. Why didn’t you try to buy something less life-changing, like a house?” Jake was utterly unsympathetic, and Jim scowled.

“Just sentiment, I guess. I need a drink.”