[A soft chuckle escapes her, and she presses two fingers to her lips, feeling that if she laughs too much she might cry and she can't, can't tell him the truth. Not if she doesn't want him to be unhappy. Maybe someone else will.. but he won't hear it from her.]

There's always time for tea and a catch-up, little one. Well, almost always.

[She gestures down the hallway, towards her rooms, and falls into step beside him.]

Now, do tell me how you've been. I want to hear everything.