I have never let the doubt of others slow me down before. At home, despite my position, it was common for people not to trust me.

[ It feels different when it's a matter of the heart. Barnaby won't say that it doesn't bother him, because that would be a lie. But being able to talk about it and organise his feelings on the subject makes it so much easier. Some of the tension is slowly starting to leave him, though the relief hasn't set in yet. ]

It matters, whether or not it should, because I consider some of them to be my friends. I don't expect their support... [ But, it wouldn't hurt either. ]