I really enjoyed reading this, I think it's beautifully written, his observations, the physical details, his thoughts. Your writing is engrossing and emotive, but quietly so, retaining this sort of reserved, modest, still feeling, like we really are in the head of an introvert who is used to lonelyness and observing and noticing rather than acting, and who doesn't spill out his heart to a stranger between the library bookshelves in an effort to engage, but makes a small, secret gesture of kindness instead. I loved your descriptions of the silence, like it's an actual object - and doesn't it feel like that so much of the time? 'frankly, her anguished presence tainted his sanctuary' - now i LOVED this line, it's so dry. Theo IS so dry, but he has such a kind heart. Thank you for writing him so well, and making them all into such real characters.