"If he finds someone to be closer to than he is with you, that would mean he's left me," Childermass points out blandly. "Seeing how witchers aren't exactly known for making friends and I haven't a single person back in England that I would claim as such."

Acquaintances, allies, enemies, people who share a complete indifference towards such relationships. Those, sure, but he wouldn't call Vinculus a friend. Mr. Segundus and Mr. Honeyfoot would have thrown him out of Starecross if he hadn't been so insistent. The rest of Mr. Norrell's staff would, perhaps, be the closest.

"And even if they were friends..." He sags back against the bench some as if tired of having to explain this again and again. "Strange, you can't change an entire world for two people. We'll find happiness where we can, but England isn't the carnival. I am not going to risk Lambert's life for someone who might accept it."