The choice of words is telling, Joan thinks, as is the softness around her name when he says it. He loves this 'Helen' still but it must be complicated. A former colleague, as well, and two he hardly knows. That may explain some of the guardedness, or there may be more here that she should know.

She squeezes his arm gently, a gesture of support, suggestive of understanding, and an invitation to talk (read: to provide her with information). "May I ask what it is that you do, or rather, did? It seems to be another one of those topics that hasn't yet come up."