Sean, I know better than to believe nearly all of what you say. You're a great story teller, but I place most of your posts in the categories of fiction and comedy.
But it does seem odd that Ant has left. Normally, he can take as good as he gives, so I doubt it was down to hostility.
I wondered if he actually did something wrong and was threatened with his employers being informed unless he left town. I'm not saying that he's some sort of kiddy fiddler, far from it. He seemed to be in a happy, stable relationship with his similarly aged partner.
I liked him and his furkid dog, but it seems out of character that he left so abruptly.