"It's this or we cut the whole thing off in a week, John," he says, gripping John's tentacle as much as the slippery shape allows - but his tone (as hoarse as his voice is becoming, with the adrenaline wearing off) is surprisingly patient, almost gentle. "It'll stop hurting in a moment. And you've had worse before, you know that."

Even Arthur has, though the punch to the face is already turning red and will be a spectacular bruise in no time at all.