Headscratchers / Cormoran Strike Novels

• Much is made of Strike's Perpetual Poverty status across the novels. However, as a recipient of a medical discharge from the Army, wouldn't he receive a pension? Sure, he wouldn't be living it up, but couldn't it afford him rent in a cheap flat or enough cash to keep his agency afloat? Especially serving in a fairly elite sector like the Military Police, serving in an active warzone (combat pay), who was medically discharged after being wounded in action?
  • It's not a total answer, but my best guess is that he spent a shitload of money on Charlotte over the years, which might have put him in debt - she's just the type to expect champagne treatment without paying for it, it's one more form of abuse she can use to manipulate him, and Strike's got too much pride to be a 'kept man' - it could even be the result of paying his own way in Charlotte's lifestyle. Also, wasn't it implied somewhere that he had to borrow money from Johnny Rokeby in order to set up the agency? Maybe he's cutting expenses to the bone in order to pay back Rokeby at a insane pace rather than have to owe his Deadbeat Dad for one more day than possible? In support of this theory, I can only say that Strike seems to be in a much better place financially in Lethal White, and doesn't he mention 'clearing his debts' at some point??