Even now her question takes time to sink in, but when it does his smile reasserts itself and he waves a hand and shakes his head. "No, no. I'll be fine. Thank you."

He shuffles in his seat to turn to her and listen with kind eyes and a sympathetic smile. When her hands lower again, he pats her arm gently, reassuringly. It might be a small thing, but she looks like she needs a bit of space and time to talk, time to think.

"Oh yes," he says and then squeezes her arm ever so slightly. And as if it's all the answer she needs he adds, "He was with you."