No one hopes better than I do, otherwise I'll be in for a bore that puts me fast to sleep when I could be doing many other things.

[Which isn't, strictly speaking, true, but he gives Alcuin a drunk little smile, cradling his bottle to his chest.]

I'd offer you a drink but I'm already comfortable, you can get up and get one yourself no doubt, should you want one. Either way, you were going to tell me about your home? One that isn't quite Paris?