"Perhaps." He started, fell silent again. Perhaps they could use what was between them with the sponsors, he had been about to say, but it sounded callous and cynical. He did not care overmuch for the idea, but it would mean no more hiding, no more restraint when he did not want to be restrained.

It was a foolish idea, though, and he shook his head, turned the start of words into something else. Something more reasonable. "Perhaps you will win." His small smile was rusty and strained. "It is not hopeless."