"Ye might as well bring a pot's worth," Alain tells her, and she almost wants to cry at the kindness in his eyes. Susan's smile trembles for an instant, but she firms it and gives him a nod. "Aye, then I will," she says. "'Bert, will'ee have the same, or would'ee rather coffee?"

"Tea's fine, Sue," he promises. "We'll wait right here for you."

She takes a deep breath and quickly gathers the glasses onto the tray before she stands up with it and looks down at the Mouse. "Lead on, an'ye would," she says. "That'll keep the way clear."