Well, he hadn't meant to make Stede rip his flower, but clearly Malcolm has hit a nerve. And yet Stede persists to turn the tables back on him and ask him about Ava. Why talk about Malcolm's relationships friendships when they can talk about Stede's?

"I know a bit," he says, continuing to fold, as Stede has taken up again with a new piece of paper. "She's elusive sometimes."