"Dorian," she says, "her marriage collapsed recently, she has a very young baby to look after, and - as you point out - she keeps nearly getting killed." Exactly. "Don't you think moving in with you might be a bit much to think about right now?" Oh. Wait.

"Well, no." I don't really like the look she's giving right now. "I mean, yes, I know all of that, but-- but all the more reason I could help?" That last shouldn't have sounded so much like a question, but there's nothing to be done for it.

I take a breath and start over. "She was happy enough when it was the three of us but apparently that was some sort of all or nothing--" That was only so much better. "Seems I wasn't even an option, is all."