Gretel glanced between them a bit nervously, frowning deeply. "I wouldn't have to actually do anything? Because Topher's sort of right. Not about the kid thing. Kid's understand things, even bad things, a lot better than some people think." She shot him a disapproving look. "But I don't know if that's my place."

"It's nice of you. Really nice. But you don't have to do things like that for me. I can manage without getting in other people's way." She glanced at Topher again.