Prickly indeed. Susan wasn't sure exactly what she'd done to turn the conversation from easy and open to 'I'm only walking with you because we're going in the same direction,' but even if she felt a lonely pang at it, she wasn't in the habit of going where she wasn't wanted.

"Well, I can't say I won't appreciate it," Susan said, her tone light and easy, as if she hadn't noticed the sudden drop in temperature. Maybe they could breeze through it, or maybe not. She'd see. "I can't imagine changing the way one speaks would be an easy thing to do, so it's considerate of you. Mind, if you slip up and I faint, I hope you'll be good enough to splash some water on my face."

She gave him a cheeky smile.