I confirm Terry's account of Nick's entry to the classroom.
As to being relaxed, he would play the part of Elizabeth toying with the affections of Philip of Spain, playing the part by placing a finger under his chin and fluttering his eyelashes.
He had much on his mind often. Well there was a war on, you know. He would pause halfway through a sentence and gaze down into Alice Street and we would sit silent as mice until he turned and continued the sentence without loss of sense. These thoughtful moments lasted 5-10 minutes sometimes, or seemed to.
I liked the old bugger.He taught the Tudors and I have always enjoyed that part of History.