“I should have,” she admits, a little ruefully. She knows she isn’t the best at this, but knowing isn’t an excuse, more a prompt within oneself for improvement that has been ignored. She must do better. In the meantime, she sets her hand at Cosima’s waist, and gently nudges Cosima’s nose with her own.

“I’ve been doing my utmost to remain controlled.” Which sounds faintly conspiratorial, somehow, “but I could allow it, in this instance.”