I remember one night some years ago taking a late train from Paddington to Reading, we must have been to the theatre, and happening to sit next to John who was on his way home from work. At that point I knew him only vaguely. It's about a 35-minute journey but honestly, we could happily have talked all the way to Penzance or wherever. I'm repeating something I've said on FB - he was so erudite, but wore it so lightly.