[His mouth opens a little to ask if she had anyone, but that would be prying. He remembers her telling him about her addiction, about people who helped her become a new person, but that wasn't the only thing. Even when Simpson was at his worst, Clayton had been there, though it had been some time before Archie had understood how much. But the fact of the matter was that it was not his business and would bring him little understanding of her, and that while he would like to be assured that she had some friend through the most difficult times, he could only ask the question for his own peace of mind. His comfort was not the issue.]

I was most fortunate. I before Horatio came, Clayton did what he could to...well. To protect me, I suppose. From Simpson. [He'll resolutely use the last name. "Jack" is no longer a name he wants to associate with that man.] Hundreds of boys across the navy must have endured the same thing and I had someone who at least tried to do something.