Pitch dark attics are creepy, no doubt. The angel smiles and nods in greeting at Chuck. "I nicked a few from the general store. The lamp is just cooking oil. I don't know how long it'll burn, but it's all right for now. D'you want a drink, Chuck?"

As an afterthought, he adds: "Oh! And this is Rat. Er...Markus Rathbone. Rat, this is Chuck Shurley. He lives in the attic." There's a hint of mischief in that introduction.