Elsie nodded, simply to have a reply, though all she could think was that, no this didn't happen to anyone, it was always her. Who else would put themselves through this? This whole thing was her fault, yet she couldn't just walk away like she should. It wasn't fair, to either of them, but after months of not seeing him and the heartache that persisted because of it, she was, just a tiny bit relieved he hadn't just stormed off.

That would have been easier though, than standing here trying to make small talk like nothing was wrong, like she wasn't coming apart at the seams. Again, she nodded in response, this time to his question, unable to find her voice, knowing it would be shaky and betray the flood of emotions hiding just under the surface. She had to say something, but she could already feel the tears springing into the corners of her eyes. She felt like she was crumbling all over again, how could simply seeing him like this this get her resolve to crack so quickly? Merlin she was a mess.

Taking a deep breath, Elsie tried to dig up the courage to continue the conversation, but couldn't find it within herself to put them both through that. She chanced a glance more directly at his handsome face (she'd been resolutely looking at a shelf just behind him), despite feeling that breathless ache in her chest. Ignoring the tears that threatened to fall was impossible- and that was the last straw. "Tyb, I can't-". Dissolving into tears, into an explanation, wasn't something that could happen, not right now, not ever. "I'm sorry," The catch in her voice was clear as she turned to put back the things in her basket and attempt a quiet escape.