Take one foot and one mouth, insert former into latter, and watch as disaster struck. Such was a familiar equation with Noah, who often spoke before he thought, or said things that were well intentioned in a way that made them sound anything but. On one hand it was surely others' fault for not understanding that he was jut trying to help, however he knew he had crossed the line with Mim the minute she began to gather her things. Quite what his intentions had been were not exactly clear, however it had been a honourable mix of wanting to provide her with someone to talk to, to check she was okay, and if she needed it, provide the sort of advice he really doubted his clog-dancing cousin could. He reckoned had he been in possession of ovaries she would have assumed that was his intention, however apparently everything male was tarred with the same brush at times. Which most of the time was fair enough, just not when it didn't suit Noah.

"Hey, Mim, you know I didn't mean anything by it," he raked a hand through his hair, aware that this was definitely a cigarette situation however there was no way he would get away with lighting up in the library, and no way he would dare, "I just thought you maybe wanted someone to talk to, if you went to Adela of all people, and well, I know you guys aren't close. But I'll bugger off if you want."