Tess grinned. She didn’t know any of Saffy’s colleagues personally, but she had heard enough stories and seen enough sketches to picture them well. They were being unkind, but they were allowed some jokes of their own, safe in the privacy of their own home. Moreso than Tess ever did, Saff did have to regulate herself all day at the Ministry. She was stronger than most people. Tess wasn’t sure she would be able to keep her mouth shut.

Tess huffed a laugh to say it’s nothing. “Let’s blame the others for not being in and hearing your dulcet tones before I did, shall we?” she grinned. An easy shift of the blame, if no one else was home – but she narrowed her eyes, trying to recall how Saff had figured her out so easily, when Tess was sure she hadn’t admitted to napping. “How did you know I was asleep, anyway?”

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