Cuthbert catches up with her before she's made it even a quarter of the way from the stables, and she can't help but be glad of it. Susan gives him a small, grateful smile, and walks inside when he opens the door for her.

It takes a few seconds, more than she'd like, to shake off the impression that the room's filled with glassy-eyed townspeople waiting their chance to

(burn)

cause trouble, but she bites her lips and makes herself settle while Cuthbert scans the room. "There," he says, his quick eye spotting Reepicheep before she does. "Yon Mouse. Would'ee have me bring him elsewhere, Sue?"

Now her smile warms, and she takes his hand and squeezes it, glad of him. "Nay, I'd not worry him. Come on, 'Bert."