Possible Clues:

• Retiring, having done another stint in the forces
• Diffident, but half of rent was enough
• Diffident soldier was adequate
• Sort of wine with depth can be cool
• Booked - reticent
• Uncommunicative, not extrovert
• Socialist's help in private
• Diffident substitute began to doubt
• Booked, being unemotional
• Set aside without emotion