Reepicheep sips at his wine, curious at the pale gold of it, and Caspian sets one ankle on the other knee and lays his free arm along the back of the couch, smiling to see Cuthbert's affection and Susan's ease.

They're trying what they know. Is it their fault what they know is so unlikely to help?

Difficult to say if they'll listen to him. But Susan had told him not to stand apart, and that's as much of an invitation to offer his opinion as he needs.

But not now, he thinks. Why bring it to Susan's mind, when it'll be lingering there soon enough? "A shame the two of you didn't come," he says, easy and warm. "You might have enjoyed the dance."