If Govan threw Ben a crumb of acceptance,Ben would scamper straight up to savour it.It's classic high school politics.
To Ben,Govan is the popular kid that has all the friends and he hates him,yet at the same time he is still desperate to be his friend.Poor Ben,surely he should have got past these adolescent insecurities by almost age 40?
If Govan said 'Let's start over mate' tomorrow,Ben would be kissing his bottom right away,and backtracking articulately to anyone who'll listen,can just imagine it:
'see we've had our upsets but you see,I never hated Govan,since I've got to know him,I understand him a little more,and you know.I think we'll be okay now.See how it goes.'
Govan has the house in the palm of his hand.