Her cheeks were flushed; Noble hoped that he hadn't done anything particularly embarrassing. He pushed his hand through his hair. "Oh, it's no trouble at all," he said, "I get an influx of orders around then, too." They were nearly to the back door without his having run into any relatives. Blessings upon him. He had to consciously lower his pace so as to avoid speed walking Miss Hunniford through the house on his quest to continue avoiding them.

"Are you working at the hospital today, or do you have off?" Noble asked. He pushed the back door open and held it for her, tension visibly leaving his shoulders. "That small building, right there," he said, indicating with one hand.