[He's trying to remain calm and level because Alfie has every right to be upset with him. It's becoming increasingly frustrating, though.]

You asked me for a hypothetical of what I would have done at the time, Mr. Solomons. I know it wasn't a good plan or much of a plan at all, in hindsight. I'm not sure what you want to hear from me. All I can say is I'm sorry. I know it won't mean much to him or to you, but I am, and I'm not going to do things the same next time. I can't tell you exactly what I'm going to do next time, either, if it comes about.

I'm still working through that because there's nothing in this bloody place that gives me any real structure to work with. [There might be some frustration creeping into his tone now.] I'm making everything up as I go along. That's really not my strong suit.

[It had been Sherlock's strong suit. Even with the madness in Afghanistan, John had always had a plan to at least start from. Here, there's nothing. Perhaps Alfie could appreciate the need for something structured, something handed down by a commander or a higher power if John could articulate it for him. He isn't about the tell a gang leader he wants someone to boss him around most of the time and give him more direction, though.]