I didn't mean to blow off your letter! I would've taken you up on the offer in a heartbeat, believe me, but I only got it today. I've been waylaid in foreign lands for the foreseeable future (Canada - which is awful, by the way, I don't recommend it). I don't know exactly how long I'll be gone but if you've still got the new roommate with the odd hours, I'll definitely let you know when I'm back home again.

What happened to your old roommate?

Canada is a long story, and though I don't care one way or the other I imagine there are certain parties who would prefer I didn't talk about it. I'll leave your roommate stories alone if you'll do the same with me on this one.

I'm off on a caribou hunt; isn't that the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard? I'd love to say I'll be back to England soon but unfortunately it doesn't seem incredibly likely. February at the latest, but if I can make it any earlier I'll tell you right away.

Oh, and you'll have a little less competition in the field from now on--or maybe not. Someone will probably take my place doing the freelance stuff, but at the very least you'll have much less handsome competition next time you jaunt off to Egypt.

You should definitely pay a visit to Canada. If you give me a few days' notice, I can probably find somewhere suitably remote where we could have a little fun. I promise there won't be any caribou, wherever it is. Unless you're into that.